As owners, we find it annoying and distasteful when a dog pees on the bed. The bedroom smells of urine, and it’s a nuisance to have to keep washing sheets and blankets. If the mattress is wet, it’s even more of a problem to get the smell out and dry it again.
What is it that makes dogs do this? Both behavioral and physical causes can be to blame.
Your bed smells like you
The main reason why a pet will pee on a bed is that it smells like you. In the wild, dogs are confronted by predators. They can either fight or run away. To prevent a predator from finding them, they try to disguise their scent in some way. When they are in the home, they will roll on your dirty underwear or your bed for the same reason. You are their protector, and they want to hide their scent in your scent. When pets do this, they feel less exposed and vulnerable.
Your dog is upset
A dog will often pee on your bed if he has been left alone or you have been upset with him. This may make you feel as though it has been done out of spite, but it is just because he feels vulnerable and is trying to feel safe.
A dog may become upset for various reasons such as separation from you, a thunderstorm, a loud noise or some other fear. It is better to create another area of comfort and safety for your pet that is not your bed! You will also need to work on what is causing the anxiety. Good training and sticking to a daily schedule can help to reduce anxiety.
Your dog has a medical condition
If the behavior is new, it may be related to a medical condition. Your dog may have urinary incontinence or a urinary tract infection. It could also be caused by ‘doggie dementia.’ If you are suspicious of a medical condition, you need to go to the vet. It would help to take a urine sample with you.
What can you do?
Do not allow your dog on your bed, and when you’re not at home, prevent access to your bedroom. One way in which you can do this is by putting him in a crate. This may sound cruel, but the crate will become his safe space instead of your bed.
A general lack of house training can lead to a puppy peeing on a bed. It doesn’t help to punish the puppy, as it may become confused and think you don’t want it to urinate at all. This increases anxiety about peeing and can make the problem worse. Make sure to take a puppy outside — especially after a meal — and reward him when he pees outside with a pat or treat.
If your dog can smell his urine from previous incidents, he’s likely to urinate there again. Make sure all the odor has been removed with thorough washing.
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