One common problem among dog owners is waking up and finding pee all over the place.
The question is, how do you stop your dog from peeing in the house at night?
Believe it or not, the key is to understand the reason why they do it in the first place. From there, you can formulate a course of action to address the unwanted behavior.
Here’s a list of cause-effects and how you can stop a dog from peeing at night.
Tip 1. Train Your Dog To Pee
Easier said than done, right? However, it’s the best solution to keep your dog from peeing in the house at night.
Dog training should be done at an early age- do this when they’re still pups for the best effect. There are many ways to teach a dog to use the bathroom but what works best is positive reinforcement and consistency.
But what should you do when he or she is already several years old and still hasn’t learned where to do their business? You can try alternative methods such as crate training or working with a dog trainer to expedite the process.
Once your dog is trained then everything else becomes easy. Before turning in for the night make sure your dog has already peed outside or in his or her respective spot.
Tip 2. Catch Them In The Act
A good way to discourage peeing in the house is to startle your dog with a loud noise. If they can learn this way then they won’t be leaving a mess in the morning.
The first order of business is to have the dog pee outside. Try to catch your dog ‘preparing’ to pee, such as going around in circles or sniffing then bending their legs down, then either clap loudly or ring a bell to catch his or her attention.
This action triggers an understanding that you, the owner disapprove of the act. Immediately after, lead your dog to the right spot, e.g., in the yard, kitchen or bathroom and wait for them to pee there.
Again, the key to success is in being patient and consistent.
Tip 3. Lead Them Out After Dinner
Young dogs and puppies can be trained to do their business outside using a simple trick.
Immediately after eating and drinking, go and lead your pet outside in a secure and fenced environment. Wait awhile for around 10 to 20 minutes and they will naturally do their thing.
Make this into a routine habit and it can lessen the chances of your dog peeing inside at night.
Even adult dogs can learn this technique with the proper approach and training.
Tip 4. Bring Your Dog To A Vet
If your dog has a habit of peeing everywhere and during the day then it could be a medical condition. In this case, a trip to a vet can prove to be an eye-opening event.
Schedule an appointment with a professional veterinarian and see if there’s anything wrong with your dog’s bladder habits. One of the most common problems is a urinary tract infection and is something that can be treated using medicine or a change of lifestyle.
A dog should be able to hold his or her bladder for a relatively lengthy period of time. However, you should understand that as they get older they become more incontinent and unable to hold their urine for a long time. To this end it’s recommended that the owner work around their pet’s condition and introduce a few items to help ease them.
Tip 5. Plan An Exercise Program
A healthy dog won’t cause much trouble and they won’t be as destructive inside the house.
Dog owners must learn the fact that their pets need regular exercise or else they cause mischief, such as peeing at night.
It can be as simple as letting them out the yard for half an hour a day so they can expend their energy or as complex as having them join a neighborhood pet exercise program. Choose the one that fits your lifestyle and budget and your dog will thank you for it.
Make an effort to improve your dog’s well-being and train them in short drills and breaks. Over time, their kidney will be much stronger and they’ll be able to hold their urine for longer, even as they sleep in the night.
Tip 6. Check Your Dog’s Diet
You should always ask the question, ‘is there something my dog is eating that makes him or her pee in the night?’
You may have changed your pet’s diet recently, which could be why they started having these accidents. Sudden changes even in the kibble department can cause digestive imbalances, which means they could experience bladder issues as well.
Take stock of what your dog is eating and identify what’s changed. Veterinarians recommend introducing new food slowly and in small amounts so the dog can acclimate better and lessen the chances of an upset stomach.
As a general rule, dry kibble takes up to 15 hours to digest while natural foods take only maximum 6 hours to be digested. It could be best to make feeding time earlier when your dog is on a natural diet so they won’t have to go later on at night.
Tip 7. Eliminate Urine Traces As They Appear
A dog’s nature is such that they will pee on the same spot as long as the scent remains. If that scent remains the dog will keep peeing in the house at night.
To this end you’ll need the help of powerful cleaners that can eliminate the protein enzymes your dog leaves on the floor.
Dogs detect them by smell, and if there’s even a trace then they’re likely to pee at night. You may be interested in how to paper train your dog.
Invest in paper towels and enzymatic cleaners to stop night peeing dead in its tracks. In addition you’ll also want to buy deodorizers to get rid of bad smells. When your dog does his or her business on a carpet then immediately wash it and get rid of the smell using deodorizers.
Follow this up with a quick trip outside so your dog will know what to do next time. If your dog isn’t going to the bathroom outside at all, that’s a sign of a larger problem.
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