It's an instinctual, physical response called submissive urination, and it's normal in young dogs. Submissive urination typically happens whenever a dog feels excited, shy, anxious, or scared. It also happens when a dog wants to acknowledge another's dominance — like recognizing you as their owner.
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.
It's a natural, instinctual reaction that occurs in young dogs. It's called submissive urination. An animal will typically urinate as a sign of submission if it is excited, shy, anxious, or scared.
Urination accompanied by submissive behavior is known as submissive urination. The underlying cause of submissive urination is fear. A number of triggers such as a person approaching, punishment, scolding, and a deep and loud voice can cause dogs of any age to urinate submissively.
Marking can be triggered by hormonal changes as dogs reach puberty and dogs begin to communicate their availability for breeding. Social changes, such as a new dog in the neighborhood, a new person in the home, or a change in the relationship with another dog or person within the home, can trigger marking.
Since marking is a normal behavior for dogs, it is impractical to expect to eliminate all marking behavior when your dog is outdoors. Dogs are particularly likely to leave their urine messages in places where other dogs have urinated, and when entering a new environment.
Feeling jealous may cause inappropriate toileting. Peeing or pooping indoors can be frustrating, but this is a clear sign and a form of communication; Your pooch is jealous. Your dog can't talk or write down what's causing it stress or unhappiness, so it has to find creative ways to get your attention.
If your dog urinates when they are playing or being greeted, but doesn't exhibit submissive postures, it could be excitement urination. If your dog does not display any of these symptoms, they may be urinating to mark their territory.
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 first thing to do when a previously house trained dog begins urinating or defecating inside is to rule out any medical problems. Urinary tract infections, cystitis (bladder inflammation), bladder stones, kidney disease, or arthritis or age-related incontinence could all be causes of house soiling in dogs.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
Some scientists believe this behavior helps with scent dispersal—not necessarily scratching just to spread the urine around, but to also leave odors from a dog's paws. Scents can be released from a dog's interdigital pads, or paw pads.
Sometimes dogs use urine to mark objects, including your bed. Studies have shown dogs don't mark to claim territory, it's more like graffiti that says, “I was here.” So, they aren't telling you the bed belongs to them but are more likely adding their scent to a communal space.
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.
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.
Don't punish your puppy for eliminating in the house. If you find a soiled area, just clean it up. Rubbing your puppy's nose in it, taking them to the spot and scolding them or any other punishment will only make them afraid of you or afraid to eliminate in your presence. Punishment will do more harm than good.
Not only are dogs able to smell human pee, but they can detect specific scent notes within the urine. Thus, they can pick up the smell of hormones, sugar, and things like if the person has an infection or not. This amazing ability is down to the super-sensitive nature of the canine sense of smell.
Depressed dogs may show symptoms such as a lack of interest in activities, loss of appetite, increased irritability, and unusually clingy or needy behavior. You can help improve your dog's mood by giving them plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation.
They Are ''Splitting'' a Perceived Conflict
Some dogs may not feel comfortable watching their human being hugged and kissed and may feel the need to intervene by wedging their way in between the two parties in an attempt to de-escalate what they perceive as a conflict.
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.
Common reasons dogs lick include showing love and affection, marking their territory, healing a wound and relieving stress.
Baking soda, vinegar, and enzymatic cleaners are all effective at removing the odor. In some cases, you may want to avoid steam cleaning fabrics, as it can set the stain and make it more difficult to remove.
For most dogs, urine marking usually begins around the time they reach sexual maturity, which can be between 6 and 12 months of age, depending on the size and breed of dog.