Though sniffing before peeing is a dog's natural instinct, it is also particularly one of the main reasons why house-training problems are stressing out most pet parents. Some dogs will always pee at specific spots in the house.
Some signs are obvious, such as barking or scratching at the door, squatting, restlessness, sniffing around or circling. When you see these signs, immediately grab the leash and take them outside to their bathroom spot. If they eliminate, praise them and reward with a treat.
Dr. Bekoff says dogs may circle in attempts to get good footing or to be sure they can see who's around when they're in the act, which is a somewhat compromised position. Circling could also be linked to the dog's attempt to spread their scent, says Dr. Andrea Y.
It's common for some dogs to pee when someone is standing over them and looking down, especially if the dog is young or fearful. Dogs may also pee when anxious and stressed out. Examine the situation in your home to determine if something in the environment could trigger this type of behavior in your dog.
It's important to remember that urination serves two purposes for dogs—elimination and marking. Both male and female dogs scent mark, but the behavior is more pervasive in males.
They're standing guard
Your dog knows this – and they worry about you when you pee. If you've had your pooch for a while, they've probably deduced what you do in the bathroom. By accompanying you to the toilet, they may believe they're standing watch for you during a moment of exposure. Bless them.
Urinary incontinence, or the involuntary passing of urine, is a fairly common problem in dogs. It is usually caused by a medical condition, and your dog likely is not aware it's happening. Although it can happen at any age, it is more common in middle- to senior-aged dogs and females.
Dog pee is a special, smelly cocktail composed of hormones, bacteria, uric acid and ammonia, says Hunker. Ammonia in the urine becomes more concentrated over time, converting to mercaptan, also known as methanethiol, a pungent gas that gives both ammonia and dog pee their distinctive odors.
Not only are dogs able to smell human pee, but they can detect specific scent notes within the urine. Thus, they can pick up the smell of hormones, sugar, and things like if the person has an infection or not. This amazing ability is down to the super-sensitive nature of the canine sense of smell.
By kicking up dirt afterward, they're compounding the scent of the bathroom along with the pheromones coming from their feet glands to create one strong scent. In addition, the disturbed grass also serves as a visual clue to other dogs that they're walking on someone else's territory.
Eye Contact
You'd think she'd look away in hopes of getting a little privacy, but she locks eyes with you instead. That's because when your dog is in that pooping position, she's vulnerable, and she's looking to you to protect her. "Your dog is instinctively aware of his defenselessness.
It's About Communication and Territory
This process of determining where to poop has much to do with your dog's instinct to tell other dogs who and where they are. They leave their scent by way of scent glands located in the inside of the rectum.
Give him no attention as you pace quietly back and forth by the pee spot. When he squats or lifts his leg wait, for him to finish. As he's finishing happily say your cue word “GO POTTY!” When he is done, give a marker (a verbal “Yes!” or the click of a clicker), then lavish him with praise and something really yummy.
A young dog can hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours if needed, but that doesn't mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That's at least once every 8 hours.
To put it simply, adult dogs generally need to toilet three to five times a day, and most vets will recommend a maximum window of between six to eight hours between toilet trips.
Submissive urination is a behavior in which a dog pees as a response to fear or anxiety. It can be more common in young puppies who are gaining confidence, but can also occur in adult dogs.
Your dog may be fearfully urinating if:
Urination occurs when he's being scolded. Urination occurs when he's being greeted. Urination occurs when someone approaches him. He is a somewhat shy, anxious or timid dog (doesn't settle down or is easily scared).
When your dog goes to the bathroom, they are releasing toxins from their body, but they are also releasing information. When your dog goes to smell their own urine, they are looking to see what message their urine left on the spot they just marked.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Citrus scents top the list of smells your dog probably hates. The scent of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits is strong and unpleasant for your dog. For this reason, you can use citrus scents as a dog repellant in off-limits parts of the house. Their noses are irritated by the strength of citrus.
Reward With Praise and Treats
Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding and doing their business in the right spot is no different. If you reward your puppy with praise and treats whenever he uses his potty pad, he will be more likely to use it again in the future.
While urinary incontinence is rare in male dogs, it is most common in neutered males. Female dogs often urinate a few drops in their sleep, enough to wet the fur but not enough to wet the bedding. It may not be enough urine to bother you, but it is enough to make your dog prone to urinary tract infections.
It's perfectly normal for dogs to follow you into the bathroom—and perfectly normal if they don't. The only cause for concern would be if your dog gets seriously anxious about being alone while you're in the bathroom, even for a few minutes. It could be a sign of separation anxiety in dogs.
If your dog follows you into the bathroom, it's likely a result of their animal instinct and pack mentality. Canines who do this are referred to as “Velcro dogs,” due to their desire to be attached to your side. They may follow you around, even to the bathroom, to protect a part of their pack.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.