Why Do Dogs Pee When Excited and How to Stop This Behavior
Por
Anastasiia Petrovska Actualizada en |Revisado por Shannon Kenny
Whenever you get home, you’re greeted by a wagging tail and a happy face. But sometimes, you may find that your dog urinates when they get too excited or when someone comes to visit. Excitement peeing in dogs is very common, and it can be just a few drops or a full bladder release. Once you know the cause of excitement peeing, you can help your dog change this behavior.
Puntos clave
- Excitement peeing is an automatic reaction
- Main causes: puppy inexperience, appeasement behavior, or gaps in house training
- Manage greetings, stay calm, and build confidence to deal with excitement peeing
- The majority of dogs outgrow this behavior when they mature.
Why Do Dogs Pee When Excited?
Excitement urination is most common in energetic, young dogs. According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, it’s an automatic reaction to overstimulation, which happens during playtime or while greeting someone. Dogs peeing from excitement is different from submissive urination. The latter is caused by negative emotions, such as fear or anxiety.
This kind of behavior is usually caused by the following three situations.
1. Puppy inexperience
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do puppies pee when they’re excited?”, it’s because their bladder muscles and emotional control aren’t quite in sync yet. Small puppies (under 12 months) have a pretty small bladder and can’t control it yet. When they experience joy or surprise, these feelings trigger a reaction they can’t deal with yet. As if to say, “I’m so glad you’re back – I just can’t contain myself!”
Look out for body language associated with excited peeing, specifically:
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Loose body
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Wagging tail and\or body
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Barking or whining
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Bouncing.
These behaviors are a signal that your pet may be about to pee. Over time, as puppies grow, they become more emotionally mature and their bladder control improves.
2. Appeasement behavior
Sometimes, a dog pees when excited because of appeasement behavior. This behavior combines all the actions that a dog makes to show that they are not a threat. For example, it can happen when you come home. Rolling over, excitedly licking the face, lowering their body, and excessive bending – these are examples of appeasement behavior.
It’s like an instinct from their puppy years. Whenever your dog urinates as soon as you come home, it may be a signal of respect and a way of communication.
3. Incomplete house training
Incomplete housetraining is another potential explanation why your dog gets excited and pees.
If your pet hasn’t yet learned to hold their pee until the right moment, they may not know where to go potty. Strong emotions can even override the training you’ve already done. Be consistent, maintain a regular routine, and reward good behavior. This is how dogs learn best.
Check out our recommendations on house training in case you’re unsure if you’re doing things right.
3. Medical issues
Make sure to exclude any medical problems if your dog has suddenly started urinating inappropriately or seems like they can’t hold it in. Dog parents should schedule an appointment with a vet to check this out, just in case.
Wrap Up
Most dogs outgrow such behavior, especially when accompanied by your empathy. Managing greetings, ensuring consistent potty training, and strengthening your dog's confidence will help your furry friend.
The next time you wonder how to stop a dog from peeing when excited, remember our recommendations. Stay calm and focus on the dog's training routine. With your love and patience, your dog will greet you with joy – not a puddle of pee.