Dog Tips

Why does the dog urinate when excited?

admin • 22 Jun 2023

There can be many reasons why a dog pees his pants. However, if you notice that he does it when you get close to him or when you pet him, something is wrong and you need to find a solution to get the situation back to normal.

In this  article we will explain the most common causes to answer the question why the dog urinates when excited... and the solutions to adopt in each case to improve its physical and psychological health. If your dog behaves this way, read on to find out more, and then see your vet.

Why does the dog pee in his pants?

Urination is a physiological need that the dog instinctively satisfies. The puppies begin to control this urge during a transition period of 15-20 days, but only at 4-8 weeks do they learn to urinate on the newspaper. Later, from 3 to 6 months, when they have finished all the vaccinations and can go outside, they also learn to urinate in the sleeper.

The dog has trouble urinating

Before you think that your dog urinates when excited due to behavioral problems, you should rule out the possibility that he is suffering from any disease . In addition to pathologies strictly related to the urinary system, such as cystitis or urethritis, there are many other pathologies that can cause incontinence, which we are misinterpreting by associating it with caresses and pampering.

If your dog pees in his pants not only when excited or when you caress him, but also in other circumstances, it will be essential to take him to the vet and do a general examination to rule out any pathology. Normally it is necessary to do blood tests and an ultrasound.

Lack of cuddling during the socialization period

As the dog grows and develops, it goes through the socialization process, a phase in which it is important that it comes into contact with the people, animals and environments that it will have to deal with as an adult, since it depends on it. your balance and stability as an adult. [1] . If during the socialization phase the dog has not been petted, it is possible that he fears petting and pampering in general, so he develops behaviors related to fear and phobias when you touch him.

If you adopted him... and you don't know what experiences he has had or if you understand that you have not dedicated enough time to petting during the socialization phase (which is from 3 to 12 weeks of life) it is possible that the dog pees when petted because he is afraid and not because he is excited.

sensory deprivation syndrome

If, in addition to petting during the socialization phase, contact with people has been neglected, it is normal for the dog to suffer from the isolation caused by this situation and the resulting problem is called sensory deprivation syndrome. It is quite common in the dogs of those who have not let the puppy, up to 3 months, that is, until the moment he can get out, interact with different types of stimuli. That is why the dog is unable to adapt to different situations, environments, animals and people . It also occurs in cases of people suffering from Noah syndrome.

In general, a dog suffering from sensory deprivation syndrome cannot properly interact with its environment and develops fears and phobias of different stimuli. Sometimes it is not even necessary to go near the dog, since he urinates as soon as he sees someone new in the house.

Negative experiences, fears and phobias

As we have already said, the dog can develop phobias and fears when the socialization process ends and from that moment any negative experience can cause problems that have to do with fear to appear, such as urinating on oneself. In the most serious cases, negative experiences can be such as phobias become complicated to take care of permanently.

Genetics also affect fear, so if the dog's parents were or are particularly fearful and startle easily, the animal likely inherited this trait.

A very fearful dog will try to avoid at all costs the situations that it is afraid of and will try to escape …attack or even stay still, as if petrified. Situations like this can help to understand that the dog is afraid. If he also yelled at your dog when he was urinating, he may have aggravated the situation. Training techniques involving punishment and punishment have been shown to cause stress and fear in dogs, which send calming signals to the owner to convey their discomfort .

The dog urinates when excited.

Many people want to know the answer to why dogs urinate when they get excited, especially when their owner comes home. This reaction is due to the strong emotion the dog feels when he sees you again and although it is nice to receive the holidays, if he pees on himself it is important. avoid touching him and even greet him so that you begin to have self-control in that particular situation to avoid urination.

A happy dog ​​urinating when excited: what to do?

If you and your veterinarian have already ruled out any pathology, it is important to consult a canine behavior specialist such as an ethologist, trainer or dog educator because only a professional can help you correctly interpret the signals sent by the dog. Knowing how to interpret the language of the dog, in fact, is essential and the expert will be able to make a diagnosis by giving specific advice adapted to the case. It will also explain how to change your dog's training in your particular situation, also because it all depends on whether your dog urinates when excited or if he does it because he is afraid or for another of the listed reasons.

However, you should know that not all dogs successfully overcome their fears. Sometimes a combination of special genetics and bad experiences can prevent your dog from overcoming his fears. In other cases, however, the recovery is incredible.

How do you stop a dog from peeing on you?

Below we want to give you 10 basic tips to help the dog to trust you and relax, although you do not have to take it as a definitive therapy to replace the help of a professional, do not forget it.

1. Not forcing the dog to interact with you or other people could be counterproductive. Always let him take the first step.

2. Avoid punishment: Even if the dog urinated inside the house in front of you, it would only make the situation worse.

3. Establish a routine so that the dog can predict what is going to happen.

4. If the dog is hiding in the house and lets you know that it wants to be left alone, respect its space.

5. In some cases, synthetic pheromones for dogs suffering from anxiety can help improve the dog's mood.

6. Always keep a relaxed posture, do not lean over the dog, but approach from the side.

7. Avoid staring right into his eyes, chasing him, yelling at him, or doing anything else that might upset him.

8. Give him treats, play games, and talk to him in a sweet, high-pitched, and calm tone of voice.

9. If your dog tends to hide and look for places to feel safe inside the house, leave an open carrier in a quiet area of ​​the house so he can hide there if he wants to.

10. Also remember to establish a routine of activities that includes walks, exercises, mental stimulation and olfactory games.