Why Does My Dog Keep Urinating in the Baby’s Room?
It’s 3 a.m. and you are awakened by the sound of your newborn crying. As you shuffle down the hall to the nursery, you smell the distinct odor of urine. Flipping on the light, you discover your dog cowering near the crib, a wet spot spread on the brand new wall-to-wall carpeting. While accidents can happen, repeated incidents like this signal a problem requiring attention.
If your previously housebroken dog has suddenly begun urinating in your baby’s room, there are several potential causes. The most common reasons include territorial marking, jealousy, anxiety, lack of proper house training, and certain medical issues. In this article, we will explore the motivations behind this behavior and offer solutions to stop it.
Territory Marking
Territory marking with urine is a natural behavior for dogs [1]. When a new baby arrives, the new smells in the home may trigger an increase in your dog’s instinct to mark territory. Dogs use urine to establish boundaries and claim areas, objects, or people as their own [2]. While this is normal canine behavior, it becomes problematic when the marking occurs indoors.
An unneutered male dog is especially prone to marking inside the home as a response to new sights, sounds and smells [3]. Your dog may target specific baby items, the nursery, or places the baby frequently occupies. Though marking isn’t done out of spite, jealousy or dislike of the baby, it should be addressed right away to avoid creating bad habits.
Jealousy
It’s common for dogs to become jealous when a new baby arrives in the home. Dogs are pack animals and can perceive a new baby as competition for your love and attention (SPCA, n.d.). The dog may start acting out by barking, stealing baby items, or refusing to sleep in their normal spot if it’s too close to the baby (WagWalking, 2018).
To combat jealousy, make sure to set aside special one-on-one time with your dog daily, such as walks, play time, or cuddling. Give your dog attention first before tending to the baby so they don’t feel ignored. You can also give your dog a worn baby item with the baby’s scent to help them adjust. With patience and training, you can help your dog accept the new family member.
Anxiety
The arrival of a new baby can cause anxiety for some dogs. The sounds, smells, and disruption to routine that come with a newborn are unfamiliar and stressful. An anxious dog may exhibit signs like restlessness, panting, whining, trembling, avoidance, and unusual behaviors like peeing in the baby’s room.
Other signs of anxiety in dogs include destructive behavior, excessive barking or howling, aggression, loss of appetite, and acting timid around things they are normally comfortable with. If your dog starts showing multiple signs of anxiety after you bring your baby home, the peeing may be an expression of their stress.
Lack of House Training
One of the most common reasons a dog may start peeing in the house is a lack of full house training. Puppies under 6 months old have small bladders and less control, so accidents can happen if they aren’t taken out frequently enough. Older dogs too can regress in their house training for a variety of reasons.
According to The Humane Society, regression tends to happen when there is a major change in routine, like a new baby arriving. The stress and change in schedule can cause the dog to lapse back into old habits of peeing inside. Consistency with taking the dog out and rewarding appropriate bathroom behavior is key to getting back on track.
Medical Issues
Certain medical conditions can cause a previously housebroken dog to start urinating inside. Common medical culprits include:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a frequent reason for inappropriate urination. Bacteria infects the urinary tract or bladder, causing painful inflammation and a strong urge to urinate frequently in small amounts. Dogs with UTIs may urinate or have accidents in unusual places. Treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian is needed to resolve the infection (source).
Diabetes can lead to excessive thirst and urination. The inability to properly regulate blood sugar causes the kidneys to excrete extra glucose via urine. This results in larger volumes of urine. Diabetic dogs may need to urinate more often and can lose bladder control. Managing diabetes through diet, insulin therapy, and other treatments can help (source).
Other conditions like kidney disease, bladder stones, urinary incontinence, and neurological issues can also cause urination problems in dogs. Diagnosis and treatment of any underlying medical condition by a veterinarian is key to resolving indoor urination.
Solutions
There are several effective solutions for stopping a dog from peeing in the baby’s room. Better puppy-proofing of the baby’s room is essential. Close the door and use baby gates to block access when you can’t supervise the dog. Remove triggers like pee smells with an enzymatic cleaner. Also, give your dog more exercise, playtime, and quality attention. A dog that gets bored and lonely may act out with territorial marking. Make sure your dog’s basic care and enrichment needs are met.
For more tips, see this article on preparing dogs for a new baby:
Dog peeing in nursery
Training
One of the most important aspects of addressing inappropriate peeing behaviors in dogs is reinforcing proper housetraining [1]. Be sure to continually reward and praise your dog for peeing in the appropriate outdoor location. Give treats immediately after they pee outside to establish a strong positive association. Take your dog out more frequently and monitor them closely inside to catch any pre-peeing signals like circling or sniffing. If you catch them in the act of peeing inside, interrupt with a firm “no” and immediately take them outside to finish [2]. Thoroughly clean any indoor accidents with an enzymatic cleaner to remove lingering odors. Remaining consistent with routines and rewarding outdoor peeing is key to reinforcing proper housetraining when a new baby arrives.
When to Seek Help
If your dog continues urinating in inappropriate places like your baby’s room despite attempted training and solutions, it’s time to seek professional help. Persistent inappropriate urination can be a sign of an underlying medical issue or a behavioral problem that requires intervention.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian first to rule out medical causes like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, diabetes, or incontinence. Your vet can prescribe medications if needed and recommend next steps.
If your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, the next step is consulting an experienced dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. They can evaluate your dog’s behavior and develop an individualized training program to correct the unwanted peeing. This may involve crate training, positive reinforcement, or addressing anxiety triggers.
When problematic urine marking persists without improvement, bringing in the expertise of both your vet and a professional trainer/behaviorist is crucial. Getting to the root of the behavior and customizing training methods gives you the best chance of resolving your dog’s inappropriate peeing habits.
Summary
In summary, there are several potential reasons why a dog may start peeing in a baby’s room, including territory marking, jealousy, anxiety, lack of house training, and medical issues like urinary tract infections. The main solutions involve training the dog properly, managing its access to the baby’s room, providing enough exercise and enrichment, and seeking veterinary help if needed.
The key is identifying the specific cause in your individual dog. Marking territory and jealousy can often be resolved through training obedience and setting boundaries. Anxiety may require environmental changes to help the dog feel more secure. Refresher housetraining courses are ideal for dogs lacking bathroom manners. And medical issues will need diagnosis and treatment from a vet.
If the peeing persists despite your best efforts, seek help from an animal behaviorist. The sooner this issue is addressed, the easier it will be to resolve. With patience and consistency, it is possible to break this undesirable habit. Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional if needed. The goal is having a harmonious household where all family members, including your furry ones, are happy and comfortable.