Home Dog Behavior Peeing in the House

Why Is My Dog Peeing (or Pooping) in the House?

By the Dog Health Handbook team · Updated · Fact-checked against current veterinary references (see sources)

Key takeaways

  • Sudden accidents are often medical; see your vet first.
  • Urine infections, kidney disease and incontinence are common causes.
  • Marking is small amounts on upright surfaces.
  • Retrain with frequent trips out and instant rewards.
  • Never punish accidents; use an enzymatic cleaner.

Table of Contents

Research Medical causes Behavioral causes House training Older dogs FAQ Sources

Dog Behavior Quicklinks

Behavior Problems Anxiety Aggression and Biting Barking Eating Poop and Grass Peeing in the House Dementia

When a house-trained dog starts peeing or pooping indoors, the cause is often medical, so see your vet first.1,2,3 Common medical causes include:1,4,5

  • Urinary tract infections and bladder stones
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Kidney disease, diabetes and Cushing's disease
  • Bowel problems
  • Arthritis pain
  • In older dogs, cognitive decline

Behavioral causes include:1,2,6

  • Incomplete house training
  • Urine marking
  • Excitement or submissive urination
  • Fear and separation anxiety

Treatment means fixing any medical problem, then going back to basic house training:1,2

  • Frequent trips outside
  • Rewards for going in the right place
  • Close supervision
  • Cleaning accidents with an enzymatic cleaner

Never punish accidents. It makes dogs afraid to go in front of you and can make the problem worse.1,7,2

See your vet promptly if your dog:

  • Strains to pee, pees often in small amounts, or has blood in the urine. If your dog strains but only a few drops or nothing comes out, this is an emergency. Go to your vet or an emergency clinic right away, even at night, because a blocked bladder can be fatal within days.4 See blood in dog urine.
  • Is drinking and peeing much more than usual1,4
  • Leaks urine or stool without seeming to notice, or leaves wet patches where he has been lying4,8
  • Has diarrhea, or seems confused or wobbly1,8

What the Research and Guidelines Say

  • Medical causes come first. Vets should check for medical problems in adult and senior dogs that start soiling, and in puppies that don't respond to training.2,9
  • Neutering can reduce marking. Castration reduces urine marking in roughly 50% to 80% of male dogs.2
  • Accidents are common after adoption. House soiling was one of the most common problems owners reported in the first month after adopting a shelter dog.10
  • Seniors are at risk. About 14% to 22.5% of dogs over 8 have age-related cognitive decline, and loss of house training is one of its signs.11,5

Medical Causes

Your vet will usually examine your dog and test a urine sample. Blood tests, imaging and stool tests may also be needed.2

Behavioral Causes

  • Incomplete house training: common in puppies and newly adopted dogs1,10
  • Urine marking: small amounts on upright surfaces like furniture legs and doorways. Most common in intact males, but any dog can mark, often when stressed or around new people or animals. Dogs rarely mark with poop.2,6
  • Excitement or submissive urination: dribbling during greetings or when a dog feels intimidated. Most common in young dogs. Keep greetings calm, avoid leaning over the dog, and never scold or startle.6,2,1
  • Fear and anxiety, including separation anxiety, storms or a new home. See dog anxiety.1,14
  • Learned habits: a dog that had accidents while ill may keep using the same spot1

How to House Train (or Retrain) Your Dog

  1. Take your dog out often: on waking, after meals, after play and every 2 to 3 hours while training.2,6
  2. Reward right away with a treat and praise the moment your dog finishes outdoors. Use the same door and spot.7,2
  3. Supervise indoors, and confine your dog to a small safe area when you can't watch. If you catch an accident, calmly interrupt and take your dog outside.1,2
  4. Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the smell that draws dogs back to the same spot.1,15
  5. Keep a log of when your dog eats, drinks and goes.1
  6. Give it time. Only give more freedom after about 8 weeks without accidents.2

Don't rub your dog's nose in it, yell or punish. Dogs can't connect punishment to an accident found later, and may learn to hide when they go. The "guilty look" is usually worry, not guilt.1,7,15 Belly bands can protect furniture from marking, but they don't treat the cause.1

How long can a dog hold its pee?

As a rough guide, puppies can hold urine about 1 hour for each month of age; some sources say months plus one. Healthy adults should get the chance to go out about every 4 hours. Many adults can hold it for 8 hours or longer, but older dogs and dogs with medical problems need more frequent breaks.7,15,1

Older Dogs Peeing or Pooping in the House

New accidents in an older dog are rarely just "old age." Common causes include:5,8,4

  • Kidney disease and urinary incontinence
  • Arthritis that makes it hard to get outside
  • Cognitive decline
  • Spinal or nerve problems that weaken bladder or bowel control

Dogs with nerve-related bowel incontinence may leak small amounts of stool without noticing, or dribble stool when barking or excited.8 See bowel incontinence, degenerative myelopathy and arthritis. Many causes can be treated or managed. Easy access to outdoors, more frequent trips and washable bedding help in the meantime.8,5

See also dog behavior problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my house-trained dog suddenly peeing in the house?

Often a medical problem such as a urinary infection, so see your vet first.

How can I tell if my dog is marking or peeing?

Marking is small amounts on upright objects; peeing empties the bladder.

Should I punish my dog for peeing in the house?

No. Punishment makes dogs hide to go and doesn't teach them.

Does vinegar stop dogs from peeing in the house?

There's no good evidence. Use an enzymatic cleaner instead.

Why is my old dog pooping in the house?

Bowel disease, nerve problems, arthritis or cognitive decline are common causes.

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Sources and further reading

This article was written and fact-checked on October 26, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:

  1. Lindell E, Horwitz D, Landsberg G. Dog Behavior Problems: House Soiling. VCA Animal Hospitals, updated June 2026.
  2. Ballantyne KC. Canine House Soiling: Back to Basics. Today's Veterinary Practice, November/December 2017.
  3. Landsberg GM. Diagnosing Behavior Problems in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), reviewed February 2018, updated April 2026.
  4. Brown SA. Noninfectious Diseases of the Urinary System in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), reviewed June 2018, updated May 2026.
  5. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Dogs. Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, updated October 2025.
  6. Landsberg GM. Behavior Problems in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), reviewed February 2018, updated April 2026.
  7. The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Housetraining. Indoor Pet Initiative, accessed October 2026.
  8. Weir M, Barnette C. Bowel Incontinence in Dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals, updated May 2024.
  9. Hammerle M, Horst C, Levine E, Overall K, Radosta L, Rafter-Ritchie M, Yin S. 2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2015;51:205-221. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6527
  10. Pluijmakers J. What Common Behaviour Problems Can New Owners of Shelter Dogs Expect? Southern European Veterinary Conference, Madrid, 2018 (IVIS).
  11. AAHA Senior Care Guidelines Task Force. Managing Cognitive Dysfunction and Behavioral Anxiety. In: 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. American Animal Hospital Association, 2023.
  12. Mills DS, Demontigny-Bedard I, Gruen M, Klinck MP, McPeake KJ, Barcelos AM, Hewison L, Van Haevermaet H, Denenberg S, et al. Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals 2020;10(2):318. doi:10.3390/ani10020318
  13. Lindell E, Horwitz D, Landsberg G. Senior Pet Cognitive Dysfunction. VCA Animal Hospitals, updated August 2026.
  14. ASPCA. Separation Anxiety. ASPCA, accessed October 2026.
  15. Grenus B. How To Stop a Puppy From Peeing in the House. PetMD, updated October 2026.

About this article

Last updated : new page, written using the AAHA guidelines, the Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA, Ohio State, IVIS proceedings and studies published 2017 to 2020.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.