Behavior

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3 min read

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Why Do Dogs Pee When They Get Excited

Behavior

|

3 min read

|

Why Do Dogs Pee When They Get Excited

Unusual

Irregular


Introduction

Your dog almost certainly has tons of energy, most do. And a lot of indoor dogs have a limited amount of time to release this energy, which means that when you get home it externalizes itself it all sorts of ways. Unfortunately this can also mean that sometimes they pee when they see you. It's unavoidable given the circumstances. So, are there ways to circumvent this sort of behavior? Can a dog's energy be relieved in other ways? Will your furniture ever recover from the constant stains? Keep reading to find out how you can circumvent these types of situations.

The Root of the Behavior

One thought behind your dog's excited urination is that they're reverting to a behavior called over marking. If your dog enjoys walks in the woods or is even an outdoor dog in general, it is entirely possible that it may catch the scent of wild creatures like raccoons or foxes. If your dog becomes aware of these particular scents, it will usually pee on top of the affected area in an attempt to cover it up. The reason for this is to mark the surrounding territory as its own, as well as to certify it's perceived place in the pack. Another prominent reason for your dog peeing when it's excited is that regardless of area, it's probably smelling another animal. Your dog has this sort of behavior within its DNA, and it has traditionally acted as a way to talk to other canines. It works as a way to establish a perceived territory, and is generally much more pronounced if your dog has yet to be spayed or neutered. Female dogs going through their natural reproductive processes leave a peculiar scent, so it isn't out of the ordinary for new dogs entering this environment to mark her most favorite locations with their own urine. If you've adopted your dog as a newborn or a puppy, this commonly won't become an issue until much later in their lives. Adopted canines may also exhibit behaviors like excited urination based on behaviors learned at a much earlier age. If an animal has spent the majority of its life living in a certain way, it's going to be a real challenge to reverse these behaviors and adapt them for life in your home. With proper training and consultations with your vet, you can create a comprehensive plan for helping your dog adapt to its new surroundings.

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Encouraging the Behavior

The most reasonable explanation for your dog peeing when he is excited is that he is...well, excited! Regardless of what emotion your dog is experiencing, your canine will most likely show these emotions physically and in this case, that physical symptom is peeing. If you happen to notice that your dog is simultaneously shivering or avoiding your gaze while this happens, it is usually indicative of a possible behavioral problem or an underlying health issue. It could also be caused by fear or stress. When possible, try to bring up these symptoms with a veterinary professional as soon as you notice them. In fact, you should call your veterinarian right away if you think your dog may have some type of health condition that is causing the unexplained urination. This behavior is usually much more acceptable outdoors, and if seen primarily indoors you should consider the behavior to be abnormal and possibly even concerning. The one exception to this is if your female canine is pregnant. This physical condition will affect your dog's hormones and result in marking behavior in unusual places, both inside and outside the house. For professional dog breeding, this is just an accepted part of the job, unfortunately.

Other Solutions and Considerations

A great solution for the problems related to over marking and excited urination are diapers designed for dogs. These are made out of highly absorbent, dog friendly materials and do a great job of keeping unwanted urine away from your valuables. They can be custom fit to your dog’s specific breed at most veterinary offices. Another option available to you as an owner is specialty training. This is usually offered by veterinary doctors for a marginal fee, and a lot of dog owners have claimed amazing results. You can find a lot of literature about these training programs all over the internet.

Conclusion

So if your dog is excited, it’s usually a good thing. He’s got plenty of energy and wants to spend it on you. If he just can’t stop peeing, engage with your vet to learn about training programs and products that can help stem the flow. It’s not your dog’s fault. He’s just so excited he can’t hide it!

By a Shiba Inu lover Patty Oelze

Published: 02/10/2018, edited: 01/30/2020

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