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Urinating on the Couch in Dogs
Written By Darlene Stott
Published: 06/27/2017Updated: 07/14/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Urinating on the Couch?
It can be frustrating when your dog is urinating on your couch and you may wonder why they are exhibiting this behavior. Your dog can easily ruin your furniture by urinating on it. If your dog is not fully house-trained, they may urinate on your couch simply because they do not know better. If your dog is fully house-trained and just started urinating on your couch, you should assess your dog’s environment and determine what changes may have triggered it or if your dog is suffering from a medical condition.
Potential causes of your dog urinating on your couch include:
- Disease
- Territorial marking
- Incontinence
- Submissive behavior or anxiety
- Other dogs
Why Urinating on the Couch Occurs in Dogs
Disease
Your dog may be suffering from a medical condition such as bladder stones or urinary tract infection, diabetes or kidney disease. If your dog is fully house-trained and they are urinating on your couch, monitor their behavior. Watch for excessive thirst which can indicate that a health problem is present.
Territorial Marking
A dominant dog may urinate on your couch as a way of asserting themselves. When they urinate on your couch, they are marking their territory and will continue to do so as long as they feel that their territory is threatened. Many people believe that spaying or neutering your dog will stop the behavior of territorial marking, however, this is not always the case. Ensure they are receiving plenty of training and remove the scent with an enzymatic cleaner. Consider hiring a behaviourist to assess your dog and make a treatment plan.
Incontinence
Especially as your dog ages, they may begin suffering from incontinence. This is when they do not have the ability to control their urine and will urinate involuntarily. Incontinence will usually occur when your dog is relaxed, usually during sleep. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose incontinence in your dog. There are various causes and treatment varies depending on what the underlying issue is.
Submissive Behavior or Anxiety
Some dogs that suffer from submissive behavior will urinate on your couch when you enter the room or stand over them. Submissive dogs can be trained to not urinate indoors, but dogs that have been through traumatic experiences may not be able to be retrained to not urinate submissively. These dogs should not be allowed on the furniture. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety may urinate on the couch because they are stressed by your leaving the home. Again, behaviourist intervention is sensible.
Other Dogs
Sometimes when you introduce a new dog into your home, an established dog will regress in their house-training. Jealousy can also be a motivating factor for urinating on your couch. Dogs that are used to being the only dog may become increasingly jealous of a new dog and will act out by urinating on your couch.
What to do if your Dog is Urinating on the Couch
Your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, urinary tract infection or even diabetes. If you suspect your dog is ill, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of your dog’s problem. Once the diagnosis has been determined, your veterinarian will discuss possible treatment plans with you. Medications are generally prescribed and possible dietary changes may be recommended. Dogs suffering from incontinence may have a bacterial infection causing them to leak urine. Antibiotics will be prescribed if your dog has a bacterial infection.
Dogs that are having behavioral issues such as territorial marking, submissive behavior, anxiety or other dogs in the home may need the help of a professional dog trainer or even a dog behaviorist. Urinating on the couch is very frustrating, especially when your dog is acting out or trying to get your attention. Retraining your dog will most likely be required to stop the behavior.
Prevention of Urinating on the Couch
Simply not allowing your dog on your couch will stop them from urinating on your couch. Proper training will also keep your dog from urinating on the furniture. When you bring a new dog or puppy into your home be sure to give your established dog as much attention as the new dog. This will help your established dog to understand that their position in the home is not being threatened.
Submissive dogs or dogs that are territorial should be worked with to minimize their behavior. Generally, these dogs will benefit from a structured learning environment with a professional trainer.
Cost of Urinating on the Couch
Medical conditions such as urinary tract infections can cost between $300 and $1000 depending on the severity of the infection. Dogs that have diabetes will need to have continual care but the initial diagnosis will cost about $800 to $1200.
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Urinating on the Couch Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American Pit Bull Terrier
Precious
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pee
My American Pitbull terrier is going on 6 years old. She is used to other dogs. She lives in the house with her son 1 1/2. Very well mannered and house trained. I am 7 months pregnant and we recently found out she has been sneaking and sleeping (she isn’t allowed on the furniture) and peeing on my couch the past few months. No matter what I do I cannot get her to stop. What should I do?
Sept. 2, 2018
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Jack Russell Terrier
Apollo
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Peeing On Furniture
Marking
Hi! I have a 9 year old Jack Russell Terrier. He always goes potty outside when we let him out. Ever since he has been a puppy he has had trouble with marking. He always seems to pee on the same spot, the bottom corner of the ottoman. He is also neutered so I’m not sure what to do to get him to stop. I’m pretty sure this is a behavioral problem. We keep him in a kennel when we leave the house because he would begin to pee or poop elsewhere as a response to leaving him alone. Any tips to get him to stop marking on the furniture?
Aug. 25, 2018
0 Recommendations
We actually have a training guide which you can find linked below which should give you a few tips and getting Apollo to stop marking inside the house; also there is a section towards the bottom of the article where you can ask a certified dog trainer a question and read someone elses issues with their Jack Russell too. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/training/not-mark-his-territory-in-the-house
Aug. 26, 2018
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Cocker Spaniel
Harper
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating In House
Urinating On Furniture
We just recently got a new couch (yesterday) & we have slipcovers on it & also some plastic to keep dirty paws & stuff from staining up the couch. But, my 3 year old female cocker has peed on the new couch twice. Yesterday & today. But she has only done this at nighttime. I’m not entirely sure what to think of it or what I should do. They go outside to use the bathroom every 2-3 hours & both of them are house trained. I’m just at a loss for what to do. She has never done this before.
Aug. 23, 2018
0 Recommendations
It is possible that Harper is smelling something on the sofa or is marking it as it is new in the home; you should push general house training and punish as needed to ensure that this doesn’t recur. Check the training guide below and you can follow up with a certified dog trainer near the bottom of the second link below. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/training/behavior
https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-off-the-couch-when-youre-not-home
Aug. 23, 2018
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Boston Terrier
Jax
7 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Symptoms
my 7 month old boston terrier has gotten up on my husband 2 times in the last month and while sitting on his belly he pees on him. he dont hike his leg or anything like that he just jumps up and within a second he is peeing. as far as i know he is not terratorial and he is pretty much house trained no accidents inside. what would be causing this. he was fixed on july 16th so i am not sure what to do.
Aug. 20, 2018
0 Recommendations
That certainly sounds more behavioural than medical if the only place he urinates is on your husband, but it is important to determine whether the inappropriate urination is due to being happy, scared or is intentional (marking). Honestly, I’m not sure what to suggest over the normal punishment and pushing training; you may want to consult a dog trainer for better insight on this. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 20, 2018
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Husky
Duke
7 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Trying To Hump, Panting, Mounting
My 7 month puppy was doing well on peeing on the pads, but he would miss at times. Currently, he started to pee on the couch. He's done this twice. What can i do to get my puppy to not pee on the couch? I do not want him to think that since he has peed there once, he can pee on there again. Also, last night I took him out for a walk, he peed thrice. We got back home & 20 minutes later he lifted up his leg & peed on the wall. What can i do to prevent this? Please help! Thank you.
June 28, 2018
0 Recommendations
Most of the time this comes down to training and once he has marked something it is important to clean it thoroughly as he will urinate on it again if he smells his smell; the two guides below will give you some pointers on keeping Duke off the sofa and stopping unwanted urination, also at the bottom of each article there is a section where you may ask a certified dog trainer a question for further assistance. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-off-the-couch-unless-invited
https://wagwalking.com/training/stop-peeing-on-the-carpet (says carpet but principles are similar)
June 29, 2018
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Australian Kelpie
Sophie
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating In House
Hi, I recently adopted a 6yo Australian Kelpie cross (unsure what it’s crossed with) from a friend who was leaving town.
As far as I know she was fully trained.
Unfortunately little Miss Sophie pees on the couch whenever I’m not home (and occasionally on the carpet) she is an indoor dog, but has access to a fully enclosed outdoor area with hard floors (which would be so much easier to clean up) but doesn’t do it out there. I have even tried cleaning up the urine with a puppy pad and placing that in the outdoor area, but as yet no luck.....please help as my couch if fabric, and I can’t afford to replace it. Currently have a plastic bedsheet on my couch.
