5 Reasons Why Dogs Pee on People and What to Do About It

Dogs peeing on people could be common behavior, but it gives an icky reaction to the victim. The question here is, why do they do it? There are many reasons dogs pee on people, but some are more common than others.

In this blog post, we will discuss five of the most common reasons why dogs pee on their owners or other people.

We will also provide training tips on how to prevent this from happening and what to do if it does happen.

Not all dogs may have this problem, but here are the 5 common reasons why dogs pee on people:

1) Scent marking

Dogs communicate using smell and scent marking is an efficient way for a dog to announce that the place he’s in is his turf. Some dog breeds are more concerned with territory-marking than others, and they will attempt to mark their spaces as often as possible when other dogs are about.

In some cases, excessive marking of territory may eventually cause your dog to “zone out” and mark the leg of the owner and even guests.

How to stop your dog from scent marking you

If your dog is peeing on you to leave their scent, you’ll need to train them. It’s critical for developing a strong relationship with your pet while also teaching good habits and manners. Peeing on you is certainly bad manners!

If your dog lifts their leg to pee on your feet the next time, say a strong “no” and move away. Make sure they understand you clearly with command authority in your voice. They should also be aware that the verbal command is associated with the action.

2) Feeling nervous or anxious

Anxious dogs urinate as a sign of appeasement. It’s their way of telling you, “I’m not a threat; you’re the boss.” If a dog is extremely afraid or nervous, he will use submissive urination when it isn’t necessary, such as while being handled by his owner.

It is less likely that he’ll aim his pee at your leg in this scenario, however, he might spray or leak while being handled, and some of it may end up on your leg.

You’ll be able to tell whether it’s anxiety if you observe low-volume, nervous peeing. It will also accompany other anxiety-related symptoms, such as:

• Tail between their legs
• Drawn back ears
• Hanging their head
• Shaking
• Whimpering
• Panting excessively

How to stop your dog from peeing on you out of anxiety

In terms of problem-solving, there isn’t much you can do. If your dog pees on you due to stress in a particular scenario, don’t scold them for it. It is certainly not intentional. It’s just a natural bodily reaction to a stressful situation that they have no control over.

The best thing to do is refrain your pup from the current stressful situation or work on desensitization. Accidents will occur. There will be no smooth progress. However, the best approach to go is calmly and compassionately.

3) Trying to get your attention

A dog may pee on you as a sign of affection, commonly known as urine marking. This is a more anxious type of peeing, so it’s not the same sort of dominance marking you’re used to.

If your dog’s routine has changed in a way that causes him to miss out on more attention, he may seek it out by peeing on you or your belongings. Yikes!

Your lack of attention may be due to a new relationship, adopting another pet, working more from home, or even having a baby.

How to give your dog more attention

You may also prevent your dog from peeing on your stuff by catching the warning signals and fixing the problem before it’s too late.

If you see your dog sniffing about as if he’s going to pee, clap your hands or make other loud noises to divert him from what he’s about to do. Use your outdoor area as a focal point and try to persuade him to go outside. You could also use positive reinforcement, so if he pees in the backyard, give him a treat or dog toys that could entertain them.

4) Feeling excited or afraid

Puppies usually pee when they are excited to see you. When dog owners return from work, many of them have their dogs pee on them. It’s not unusual at all.

If your dog is excited, you’ll notice that they urinate only a little quantity. This is also called submissive urination. It’s unlikely they’ll empty their bladder. It will also accompany other signs of enthusiasm like:

• Wagging tail
• Panting
• Spinning in circles

How to stop your dog from peeing out of excitement

In this case, scolding your dog for urinating on you unintentionally is not going to help. Don’t praise them for it either, since that would be confusing.

Keep your dog calm as much as possible. If your puppy is still young, he or she will outgrow this peeing-when-excited behavior in time.

5) Has a medical condition

Lastly, and unfortunately, it’s typical to see a dog peeing on you without warning due to an illness. If your dog is unwell, they may have less control over their bladder and be clingier. Because of these two factors, your dog is more likely to pee on you as a result of proximity.

This could be an example of dog aging, in which they develop behavioral problems. Alternatively, they may have limited mobility and be unable to get up to go pee outdoors.

In all of these situations, you’ll be able to tell if your dog is peeing on you on purpose or not. If it’s an accident and a lot of urine has been lost, you should consult with your veterinarian about it.

Illnesses that might lead to loss of bladder function include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney disease
• Kidney stones
• Prostate disorders
• Hormone imbalance
• Spinal injuries
• Dementia

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If your dog is suddenly peeing on people, it’s essential to figure out why. Once you know the reason, you can take steps to address the problem. Our post about life hacks for dog owners also has some points on how to deal with the stinging smell of dog pee.

No matter the reason, it’s important to seek professional help if your dog starts peeing on people. A dog behavioral specialist or certified trainer can assist you in addressing the problem so that everyone can enjoy life together again.