So dogs do NOT “look guilty” when they've done something you find naughty. That look is a result of the dog casting their eyes down, holding their ears lowered or back and turning their mouths downwards. These behaviours are an attempt to defuse your annoyance – we call them Dogs use “appeasement behaviours”.
So, while they can associate your reaction with the pee or item being in the room, they don't associate your reaction with the actual act of peeing or destroying said item. In other words, dogs don't feel guilt, they just know you are angry at them and they are feeling scared or anxious about it.
Your dog might be exhibiting submissive or excitement urination.3 This may happen if your dog is intimidated by someone or something. It's common for some dogs to pee when someone is standing over them and looking down, especially if the dog is young or fearful. Dogs may also pee when anxious and stressed out.
But are dogs actually capable of peeing out of spite? In short, No. Dogs don't pee as some sort of revenge act against you, in fact, they don't understand the concept of revenge. They will pee to communicate anxiety, fear, health problems, to mark their territory or because they had no other option than to pee inside.
There are scent glands on and in between your dog's paw pads. Scratching the grass after urinating or defecating helps spread the pheromones secreted by these glands around the area.
The reason puppies hold on outside and then pee immediately once they get back in is that the house is their happy place and the yard is not. As soon as they come inside, their parasympathetic tone increases and only then do they feel the urge to urinate. Your job is simple in theory: make outside a happy place too.
Opt for Baking Soda
Baking soda naturally neutralizes odors. Sprinkle it liberally on the damp area or even an old urine stain, and work the powder gently into the fibers of any fabric, rug or carpet. Let the baking soda sit overnight for maximum odor absorption, then vacuum it up to remove the smell completely.
Many (but not all) dogs hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus smells like citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even bergamot can repel some dogs from an area. You can use these smells in scented candles or sprays to see if it keeps your dog away from an area where you don't want them peeing.
Puppy Bladder Control Chart
In general, by the time your puppy is 4-6 months old, she should have full control of her bladder (which means you can finally start sleeping through the night again!).
Reward him for urinating outdoors, but do not punish him for urination inappropriately. If you catch your dog in the act of peeing in the bed or somewhere else inappropriate, interrupt him with "uh oh" or "no," then immediately bring him outside to finish.
The easiest way to ensure that your dog pees in one spot is to teach her to pee on cue. You can establish the cue by rewarding your dog with a treat right after she pees for a few days. While you do this, pay close attention to what she does right before she pees.
The bacterial odor fighting chemical will continue waging war with the urine smell on top and under your carpet for up to two weeks, so you need not fret if odor lingers after your cleaning. This is normal, and it will probably go away.
Urine marking is amongst several methods of scent-marking that dogs perform. After all, dogs rake their hind legs to release scent glands from their toe pads, rub their bodies against owners/furniture/objects, express anal glands, and poop in precise locations.
Your dog may be peeing in unwanted spots to mark their territory, or it could be submissive urination, in which a dog pees as a response to fear or anxiety. Before doing anything else, take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the behavior.
Your dog feels the need to assert his dominance or ease his anxiety by laying out his boundaries. He does this by depositing small amounts of urine on anything he feels belongs to him—the furniture, the walls, your socks, etc. Urine-marking is most often associated with male dogs, but females may do it, too.
Not only will a vinegar and water solution eliminate urine odor if your dog has already peed on the rug, but it will also deter them from urinating on the same carpet again. The acidic smell of vinegar is known to repel dogs from peeing on area rugs as they do not like the smell of vinegar.
These include sniffing around, fidgeting, and beginning to circle before squatting. A whining or pacing dog may also be indicating that it needs to go to the toilet, as well as a dog that has been chewing on something for a while and suddenly moves to do something else.
When your dog goes to the bathroom, they are releasing toxins from their body, but they are also releasing information. When your dog goes to smell their own urine, they are looking to see what message their urine left on the spot they just marked.
They're standing guard
Your dog knows this – and they worry about you when you pee. If you've had your pooch for a while, they've probably deduced what you do in the bathroom. By accompanying you to the toilet, they may believe they're standing watch for you during a moment of exposure.
The problem with punishing a dog for urinating in the house is that it doesn't help to solve the problem, it may make your dog fearful, and it can even make the problem worse. If there might be a medical issue, it's important to see a vet first.