9 Reasons Why Your Dog Pees On You + 5 Tips To Stop It

Do you sometimes feel a warm wet feeling at your feet or lap all of a sudden?

Or does your pooch lift their leg and aim at you?

Either way, you’re concerned about one thing.

“Why are they doing this?”

Continue reading to learn:

9 real reasons why your dog pees on you.
When you should be alarmed about this.
5 things you can do to help stop this behavior.
Why do they do it when you get home and while you’re sleeping.
And many more…

Why does my dog pee on me?

Your dog pees on you because they’re overly excited, marking territories, anxious, or don’t want to be separated from you. Another possible reason is underlying pain or illness. But, this is also a common behavior of old and young dogs. As well as those who want constant attention from their humans.

9 reasons why your dog pees on you

#1: Over-excitement

Your pooch can’t wait to go outside and meet their friends.

They’re wagging their tail out of joy.

But right before you open the door, you notice a warm yellow puddle at your feet.

“What’s happening?”

Some dogs can get so aroused. Say, during interactions, play, or when they’re greeting you upon returning home.

This is more common in puppies. Because whelps below 16 weeks old don’t have full control of their bladder yet.

So due to their excitement, they can’t contain their energy. As well as their bladder. (Oops!)

And if you’re near your dog, they may pee on you accidentally.

Overly excited canines might also do other things that are out of context. Such as:

Note: Young dogs may grow out of this when they grow older. But for adults, correcting this behavior will help.

I’ll discuss this later. So stay for a bit longer. 🙂

#2: Urine marking

Is your pooch still intact?

If so, this could also be due to puberty.

“Wait. Why’s that?”

Like humans, dogs will also experience hormonal changes when they reach sexual maturity.

This happens between 6 to 9 months old based on AKC. And one of its early signs is ‘urine marking.’

“What is it?”

It’s when canines pee anywhere to spread their scent. As urine holds all information about them.

So it’s their way of ‘marking’ territories. Like putting up a sign for other dogs which says, “Stay off my property!”

But you might think, “Why does my dog pee on me?”

It could be that your pooch tries to ‘mark’ you as well.

Dogs may feel insecure around other canines. So what they’ll do is stick to their humans and rub their body scent.

Some Fidos even go further and pee on their parents.

Experts also say that dogs tend to ‘mark’ on vertical objects. And it may also be that you’re standing near them in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Interesting fact: Dogs have different ways to urine-mark. A study says that adult males usually lift one of their hind legs up. While young males lean forward without raising their legs. And most female dogs squat.

#3: Extreme nervousness

Dog Pees On You Due To Extreme Nervousness

In humans, uncontrollable peeing can be caused by an adrenaline rush.

Scientists explain that it’s a result of our body’s fight-or-flight response. As our kidneys make more urine during this.

However…

Is it also possible for dogs to ‘wet their pants’?

Well, yes. But, there could be many reasons for this.

One, because of their nerves, anxious Fidos may not be able to hold their bladder well.

Two, stress and anxiety might also trigger urine marking. So if dogs feel insecure in their surroundings, they can spread their scent around to be safer.

Three, this can be a normal response as well.

Specialists call it ‘submissive urination.’ And dogs do this when they’re in front of a threat or faced with conflict.

Say, if you raised your voice on them or they heard a loud noise outside.

So it’s like their way of appeasing you. Or telling others that they mean no harm.

This might be developed in puppyhood or a result of past trauma.

“But how will I know if my dog is anxious?”

You’ll see that they’re:

Shaking.
Whining.
Hunching over.
Flattened ears.
Tucking their tail.
Panting too much.
Flipping over – showing their belly.

#4: Separation anxiety

Does your pooch also show intense behavior whenever you’re out of their sight?

Like, destroying things while you’re gone?

If yes, they might have separation issues.

Fidos who have this will panic and try to escape. And they’ll do this when their humans are nowhere to be found.

Merck Vets say that signs will start to show minutes before departure.

So, if your pooch pees on you or your things before you go…

They may know that you’re leaving again without them.

“Are they doing this on purpose?”

It might look like your dog is peeing on you as an act of revenge for leaving them alone.

But, nope. They aren’t mad at you – because it’s impossible.

Dogs can’t hold grudges and get angry as we do according to experts.

And what we’re seeing can only be frustration. As well as disappointment or fear.

#5: Underlying illness

I hope this isn’t the case for you. But dogs might also have frequent accidents due to an underlying ailment.

This is more likely if your pooch does this way too often. And if they have any changes in behavior as well.

For example, being clingier than usual. As well as ‘polydipsia.’ Or increased thirst in layman’s terms.

Usually, this comes with ‘polyuria’ or increased urine output. And PetMD says that these 2 conditions might be caused by:

Diabetes.
Kidney diseases.
Hormonal imbalances.
Low steroid production.

Dogs who have urinary tract infection a.k.a UTI may leak too. As well as strain while peeing.

#6: Pain

Does it seem like something has been bothering your pooch?

Because canines who are in pain may not be able to stand up for so long. And they can also refuse to climb stairs or go outside.

This issue in mobility could also be the reason for their peeing accidents.

Old dogs might suffer from severe joint pains due to arthritis.

While other canines may also have other bone problems, like hip dysplasia. As well as traumas and injuries.

#7: Urinary incontinence

This happens when dogs lose control over their bladder.

So they might pee uncontrollably at any time. Even while they’re at rest or sleeping.

According to VCA, this usually affects 20% of fixed female dogs. And research shows that it can be a result of early spaying.

The risk was said to be 1.82 times higher when they’re fixed before 6 months of age.

But, females who weigh above 66 lbs (30 kg) are also likely to have it.

So what happens is, when estrogen or female sex hormone is low…

It can weaken the muscles in their urethra. Or the duct that conveys urine from the bladder out of the body. Which results in incontinence.

Warning: If left untreated, this may lead to an infection. So, see an expert right away.

But, another reason for this is…

#8: Aging

As dogs get older, their muscles will start to weaken. Their hormones will fluctuate. And they’ll also be more anxious.

Because of these, senior Fidos can have a problem with bladder control.

While the latter could be a sign of canine dementia. Or the decline of one’s memory – same in humans.

Canines who have this condition might forget housetraining. And be confused with the people or areas in their house.

So if your old pooch pees on you, they may not know that they’re doing it at all.

Reading tip: Why does my dog sit in the corner?

#9: Attention

Lastly, it could also be that your pooch is doing this intentionally.

Dogs might not have the ability to hold grudges. But, studies found that they can be jealous if you give attention to someone else.

Yup!

Based on it, our furry pals show jealous behavior when their parents interact with others. Especially if it’s with another canine.

So dogs will do things that’ll grab the attention of their humans. Say, touching them. Or getting between them.

And if they’re still being ignored, they might resort to this one last thing – peeing.

How to stop my dog from peeing on me? 5 tips

#1: See a vet

Is this a new behavior?

If so, a well-behaved pooch won’t pee for no reason at all. So it’s best to bring your dog to the vet asap.

This is to rule out other medical conditions first. And if your dog has any, they’ll be treated early and recover fast.

But if they have a clean bill of health, only then you can focus on solving the behavioral problem.

#2: End urine marking

Intact dogs might also benefit from neutering or spaying. Especially if their behavior is excessive.

Research shows that castration reduces urine marking in male dogs by 14% to 72%.

But, this will be safe only if your vet sees them fit for the surgery.

However, if your dog’s been doing this for so long…

Fixing them alone may not fully solve the issue as there’s already a routine. So, mix it with monitoring and house training your dog.

Extra tips

Make sure to always clean the areas where they pee.
Use enzymatic or DIY cleaners that are effective and safe for dogs.
Shut curtains to limit your dog’s view of the outside. So they won’t see other canines. And get super excited or sexually frustrated.

Learn more: 9 Tips To Keep The House Clean When Your Dog Is In Heat

#3: Reduce their anxiety

If your dog’s nerves are the cause for this, find and work on the root of the problem.

For changes in the environment: Create a schedule for your dog. And stick with it.

For lack of socialization: Slowly expose your pooch to new things. Say, places, people, and other animals. And ensure that every experience is positive.

But for submissive urination, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Act and speak calmly.
Avoid looking directly at your dog’s eyes.
Sit or crouch down instead of bending over. This is to not intimidate them.

Dogs like rewards and may learn fast because of them. So, use treats and praises to motivate yours to pee in proper places.

Note: Vets might also prescribe medications to lessen anxiety.

Check this out next: How to calm down an anxious dog?

#4: Do some interventions

Other causes of incontinence can be treated with medications. But, it could be different in some cases. Such as dementia.

So for this, consider the following:

Use dog diapers. Change it often to avoid irritation.
Place waterproof pads on your dog’s sleeping areas.
Clean their rear and legs regularly. Use a damp cloth or dog grooming wipes. Or simply wash them near a water source.

#5: Calm them down

Is your pooch overly excited?

Or are they peeing on you for attention and have separation anxiety?

Whichever it is, they’re both behaviors you wouldn’t like them to have.

So, to help correct this:

Make them obey you. Ask them to do a basic command. Such as “sit” or “down.”
Distract them. Throw some of their fave treats or toys when they come to greet you.
Stay neutral. Ignore your dog before and after coming home. Don’t pet and talk to them excitedly.

If you have visitors coming over, train your dog to go into their crate. And leave them with fun interactive toys.

Also, ask the visitors to toss some treats while your dog’s on a leash.

This could help reduce their anxiety towards strangers. As well as in keeping them calm when interacting with others.

Note: For puppies, take them out more often for potty breaks. Ideally, after waking up, every meal, and playtime. Or put potty pads inside the house to help them relieve quicker.

9 Reasons Why Your Dog Pees On You + 5 Tips To Stop It

Why does my dog pee on me?