Your dog pees on your bed due to medical issues (like UTIs), behavioral problems (anxiety, separation anxiety, marking territory, submission), housetraining gaps, or stress from changes, often choosing the bed for comfort and your strong scent, but always see a vet first to rule out health concerns before addressing behavior.
Blot urine with clean towel. Pour baking soda generously on affected area. Place a new, large dry towel over area. Cover with second mattress protectors, then fresh sheets. Leave baking soda for 24 hours, then remove. Use a dustpan and brush (it will ruin your vacuum cleaner). Toss in garbage.
Should I Punish My Dog for Peeing on the Bed? No. Punishment usually increases stress and can make accidents more likely. Instead, reward your dog for peeing in the right spot to reinforce positive behavior.
The truth is, dogs rarely pee on the bed out of spite or revenge. Instead, this behavior is usually rooted in something deeper—like anxiety, confusion, or even a medical condition. From marking territory to dealing with stress, there are several reasons your pup may have chosen your bed as their bathroom.
Some dogs pee on beds due to medical conditions, while others do it because of anxiety, stress, or a lack of proper house training. In some cases, it can even be linked to excitement, environmental changes, or a dog's natural instinct to mark their territory.
Your dog could also be territorial marking, or be experiencing dog anxiety. Peeing on the bed can also be caused by feelings of excitement, stress and fear but all of which can be resolved through dog training.
Vinegar has a strong, pungent smell that most dogs dislike. This makes it a great way to deter them from peeing indoors. To make a simple deterrent, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then apply it to carpets, floors, furniture, or spots where accidents have occurred.
Urinary incontinence is diagnosed based on clinical signs, medical history, blood tests, and urine tests. Bladder X-rays and ultrasounds are often performed to search for bladder stones or other abnormalities affecting urine storage and outflow.
Five Signs of UTIs in Dogs
A dog urinating on objects, usually vertical, is a normal, instinctive social behavior. Dogs mark their territory by urinating on certain objects within their territory. The dog returns to these spots on occasion to renew this olfactory mark.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
“The experiment concluded that the dogs looked guilty not because of what they did… but rather as a reaction to what the owners did.” Submissive dogs lower their heads, hunch down, and avert their eyes when trying to diffuse a situation or appease their owners.
Dogs with CCD show behavioral alterations such as disorientation, altered interactions with owners, other pets and the environment, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, house-soiling and changes in activity [14]. Such dogs may have severely impaired cognitive function that is considered to be similar to dementia in humans.
To get rid of dog pee smell, immediately blot fresh messes, then use a DIY solution of vinegar and water (to break down uric acid) followed by baking soda (to absorb odors). For tough, set-in odors, an enzymatic cleaner is essential, as it breaks down the proteins and ammonia causing the smell, neutralizing it at the source, which is key to stopping repeat offenses. Always thoroughly dry the area and avoid heat (like dryers) as it sets the smell.
Excitement, Fear, Stress or Anxiety
A dog peeing on your blanket or bed can be a sign of doggy distress. Whether something inside the home has upset them or an outside stimulus, sudden in-home urination can often be a sign that your dog is stressed or anxious.
If it's more than 1 time I agree with others that you're going to have to buy a new mattress. It's not even about getting rid of the stains. There's no way stain/urine removing solution will sink far enough into your mattress to get rid of the smell.
But when signs of a urinary tract infection do present themselves, they may include the following:
UTIs can occur at any age, but they are more frequent in adult dogs above 7-years. Dog breeds like Bichon Frise, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shih Tzu are more prone to getting urinary tract infections. Dogs with predisposing conditions like bladder stones and diabetes are more susceptible to getting UTIs than other dogs.
The most common signs of a UTI in dogs include: Frequent Urination: Your dog may ask to go outside more often than usual yet only produce small amounts of urine each time. Pain or Straining During Urination: Your dog may show signs of discomfort, like whining, or seem to be struggling while urinating.
The most common symptoms of bladder infections in dogs include pain or difficulties urinating, blood in urine or in some cases you may notice that your pup is only urinating very small amounts but frequently. Other signs of bladder infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs) include: Straining to urinate.
See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine.
What are the main signs and symptoms dog's back legs not working?
The most common causes for a dog peeing in the house include: Anxiety or fear. Any dog who is feeling anxious or fearful may have urinary accidents. For some dogs, anxiety may be related to a specific situation, like hearing loud fireworks or dealing with new visitors (whether they are animals or humans).
Vinegar. Just like citrus, dogs cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It seems that a dog's heightened sense of smell is not keen on acidic smells, vinegar being another very acidic substance. It is worth noting that dogs are more repelled by the smell of vinegar than they are by lemons and oranges.
Dogs avoid strong scents such as those found in citrus juices and vinegar. These repellents safely and naturally repel your dog, keeping him away from the carpet.