If your German Shepherd is peeing in the house, it can be frustrating. Not only do you have to clean it up, but you also need to figure out why this behavior is continuing. Knowing why it happens can help you figure out how to stop it.
If your German Shepherd is peeing in the house it could be because of separation anxiety, lack of training, smelly spots in the house, caused by previous accidents, and poor bladder control from old aging. German Shepherds prone to accidents may also have undiagnosed health concerns, like UTIs, kidney disease, or diabetes.
Now, we’ll go over the most common reasons that German Shepherds pee in the house and how to solve the problem.
Separation Anxiety
Because German Shepherds are so loyal to their owners, they’re also prone to separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is when your dog worries that you won’t return home anytime you leave the house. If your German Shepherd has this condition, they may pee in the house out of stress or nervousness.
Dogs feel the urge to urinate when they’re stressed or anxious. That said, pay attention to when your German Shepherd tends to have accidents. If your German Shepherd only pees in the house when you’re at work, and if they seem overly excited when you get home, they may just be suffering from anxiety.
How To Help A Dog With Separation Anxiety
Solving separation anxiety can be a challenge since, every now and then, you’ll have to leave your dog home alone. For some people, getting the dog a companion is the best option. Adopting another pet such as a dog or a cat could help your dog get through those times they feel like you’ve left them behind.
If getting your dog a friend isn’t an option for you, you may want to invest in some fun puzzle toys made for dogs with separation anxiety. Puzzle toys that hide treats are a great way to keep your dog entertained and distracted while you’re gone, which can help them cope with their stress. Toys such as the KONG Dog Toy are perfect for this since they dispense treats.
You may also want to play music, leave the TV on, or invest in some calming medicines, such as the Bach Rescue Remedy Pet Dropper.
Crate training your dog is another great way to help them feel more comfortable while you’re away from home. Crates provide your dog with a safe, cozy space that’s all their own. They can keep dogs from restlessly wandering the house, possibly urinating, chewing, and getting into trouble. German Shepherds usually need a large crate with enough space for them to stand.
To crate train your German Shepherd, you can place treats inside the crate and encourage them to go inside with toys and comfortable bedding. Once your German Shepherd starts to get comfortable in its crate, you can use it to keep your dog in a comfortable space while you’re away from home.
Lack Of Training
If you never potty trained your dog, or if your dog has gotten out of the habit of waiting to pee until you let them outside, you may need to retrain your dog. Retraining can be easier than training a puppy to potty outdoors, so if your dog has just developed a bad habit of urinating in the house, there is a quick and easy fix.
How To Retrain Your Dog To Pee Outside
To retrain your dog to pee outside, walk your dog or supervise them when you let them out. Try to let your dog outside on a strict schedule since this can help train your dog’s body to adjust to go peeing at a set time every day. Once your dog pees, give them a treat.
Rewarding them for good behavior will help your dog understand that peeing inside is not nearly as good as peeing outside.
Still, it’s important not to punish your dog for peeing inside. It won’t often understand why you’re punishing it. And it’ll only feel more stressed after being punished, which could contribute to the problem.
Smelly Spots In Your House
Have you ever noticed that dogs sniff around before they pee? Dogs can learn a lot from the smell of a dog’s urine, and they use their pee to mark their territory. When dogs pee in the house once, they deposit odors that their powerful noses pick up again and again. That means that no matter how well you clean an area that your German Shepherd has peed in, they may be able to smell the urine in the spot, which could trigger them to pee again.
How To Clean Up Dog Urine
If your dog pees in the house once, they’re more likely to pee in the same spot later. If your dog pees in the house, clean it up as soon as possible with a deodorizing cleaner made for pet urine. We recommend Simple Solution Pet Stain and Odor Remover since it has worked very well to remove all of the odor and deter our German Shepherd from becoming a repeat pee-offender.
Your German Shepherd’s Age And Bladder Control
As dogs age, they lose some control over their bladders, just like humans. Once dogs have hit their senior years, they lose some of their muscle in their urinary tract, making it harder for them to hold it like they used to. If your German Shepherd has only started urinating in the house in their old age, they may have lost some control over how long they can hold it in.
Still, some other medical problems can cause incontinence in older dogs, including kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, dementia, arthritis, and spinal problems. So, if your older dog suddenly starts peeing in the house, take them to the vet as soon as possible to ensure that your dog isn’t suffering from a more severe health condition.
If your dog has just lost muscle tone and can’t hold their urine like it used to, your vet can typically prescribe medications to help them control their peeing patterns. Another solution is a belly band, like the IN HAND Dog Diapers, which restricts a male dog’s urinary tract while they’re wearing it.
Urinary Tract Infections And Other Health Concerns
If you’re worried that your German Shepherd may be urinating in the house due to a medical condition, take them to the vet as soon as you can. One of the most common problems that can cause incontinence in German Shepherds is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary tract infections can make your dog feel like they have to pee more frequently, which may result in an accident or two. Vets can prescribe medicines to help your dog recover.
There are also several other, more severe health concerns that can cause your dog to become incontinent. Kidney disease, dementia, arthritis, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, urinary stones, and other health issues can impact your German Shepherd’s urinary tract health. Going to the vet is an essential step in ruling out any of these conditions.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds can start peeing in the house for many reasons, but there’s always a solution. Whether your dog suffers from anxiety, needs to touch up on their training, or has a medical problem, recognizing the issue and determining the causes of their urinary habits can make solving the problem simple.