If your previously house-trained dog has suddenly started urinating inside, it can be frustrating and confusing. Many pet owners wonder if their dog’s new indoor accidents are related to big changes in the household – like a new baby on the way. Here’s what you need to know about dogs peeing in the house during pregnancy.
Quick Answers
- Dogs don’t innately understand human pregnancy. But they can pick up on changes in routine, hormones, emotions.
- Dogs may pee inside to mark territory due to new items/smells or to get attention if they feel neglected.
- Rule out medical issues like UTIs first. Then re-train using positive reinforcement.
- Be patient, don’t punish accidents after the fact, stick to a schedule for potty breaks.
- Consider doggy daycare, walkers, or friends to help until baby comes if needed.
Why Would My Dog Suddenly Start Peeing in the House?
There are a few key reasons why previously housebroken adult dogs may begin urinating indoors:
Medical Issues
One of the first things to rule out with indoor urination is a medical problem. Issues like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, or incontinence can cause dogs to not be able to hold their urine like they used to. A trip to the veterinarian can help diagnose or rule out any physical conditions.
Anxiety
Dogs are very routine-oriented, and changes in their schedules or environments can cause anxiety. The hustle and bustle of preparing for a new baby – like nursery construction, baby showers, or simply shifting parent schedules – could stress out your pet. Anxious dogs may pace, whine, or lose bladder control.
Marking Territory
Your home has new smells (paint, baby gear, etc.) and new items coming in before baby arrives. Your dog may feel the need to mark territory with urine, especially if they detect scents from strangers (contractors, visitors). Intact males are most prone to marking, but spayed females may also urine mark at times.
Change in Attention
Some dogs urinate in undesirable locations to get attention from their owners. If your focus has shifted away from your dog recently as you prepare for baby, they may act out for attention. Even negative attention like yelling can reward this behavior.
Breaks in Routine
Pregnancy preparations can disrupt your normal schedule and routine with your dog. For example, if your daily dog walking schedule changes, they may not get as many opportunities to potty outside on a consistent schedule. This can lead to accidents.
Do Dogs Sense Pregnancy?
While wild canids like wolves, coyotes, and foxes can naturally sense pregnancy hormones or behaviors in their pack mates, domestic dogs do not have an innate understanding of human pregnancy. However, dogs are excellent readers of human body language and emotions. So they may pick up on physical and emotional changes as their owner’s pregnancy progresses:
- Morning sickness or fatigue putting their owner’s normal routine off
- A growing belly bumping into their space
- Increased emotions like anxiety, excitement, or irritability
- Overhearing conversations about babies
- Seeing physical changes like weight gain and enlarged breasts
- Noticing the new smells of ultrasounds and hormonal shifts
These clues, along with changes in routine like nursery preparation and doctor visits, help dogs piece together that big adjustments are on the horizon. Some dogs do gravitate towards pregnant owners, likely because they detect a new source of warmth against the belly. Puppy-loving dogs may become more protective, affectionate, or curious as they start noticing these pregnancy cues.
Signs Your Dog is Reacting to Your Pregnancy
In addition to urinating in the house, here are some other ways your dog may react as you go through pregnancy:
Increased Clinginess
Many dogs become velcro dogs during their owner’s pregnancy, following them everywhere, laying against the belly, and becoming underfoot. This clingy behavior is likely an instinct to protect and be close to the new “pack member.”
More Protective
Guarding breed dogs like German Shepherds may become more alert and protective of you, sometimes acting aggressive towards strangers who approach or even your partner. Dogs notice a vulnerable belly!
Increased Alertness/Excitement
Some dogs become very excited, alert, and high energy during pregnancy – this could indicate they sense anticipation and change. They may pace, counter surf, bark more, or seem restless.
Apathetic Reactions
On the flip side, some dogs withdraw and act depressed or apathetic during pregnancy, likely due to the decrease in attention and exercise they receive.
Regressing Behaviors
Pregnancy stress can cause dogs to lapse on their potty training or exhibit other juvenile behaviors like chewing, jumping, or rough play. Make sure to reinforce training.
How to Handle Indoor Urination During Pregnancy
While your first instinct if your dog starts peeing in the house might be to punish or scold, this can actually backfire. Yelling at a dog after the fact will not help house train them. Here are some positive tips to get your pet’s potty habits back on track:
Rule Out Medical Issues
First, make an appointment with your veterinarian to check for UTIs, bladder infections, incontinence, diabetes, kidney problems, and other physical conditions which could be causing the accidents. Treating any medical issues could help resolve the problem.
Stick to a Potty Schedule
Go back to basics with house training by using a strict schedule for bathroom breaks, about every 2-4 hours. Praise and give treats when they potty outside. Supervise closely inside and crate when you can’t watch.
Limit Freedom
If your dog previously had free reign of the home, go back to limiting access by closing doors or using baby gates to keep them in rooms with you. Tethering keeps them by your side until fully re-trained.
Clean All Accidents Thoroughly
Use an enzymatic cleaner and carpet cleaner to fully erase any residual odors which could draw them back. Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda also help remove urine smells.
Reinforce Commands
Practice “go potty” and crate training commands daily. Refresher obedience training can get your dog’s focus back too. Stay positive – don’t punish after the fact.
Address Root Causes
If anxiety, neglect, or marking territory seem to be the issue, meet your dog’s needs with more exercise, mental stimulation, attention, and environmental management to ease the transition.
Consider Daycare or Walkers
If you are unable to stick to the rigorous re-training schedule on your own, consider daycare, dog walkers, or help from family and friends until consistency is re-established. This provides socialization and exercise.
Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby
With some preparation and training, you can minimize negative reactions and help your dog properly adjust to the huge lifestyle change of adding a newborn to the household:
Gradually Introduce New Sounds/Smells
Months before baby arrives, slowly acquaint your dog to baby noises, smells, and equipment. Let them inspect the nursery, play recordings of cries, or bring home baby blankets from a friend’s newborn.
Establish Nursery as Off-Limits
Set up baby gates or close nursery doors early on so your dog understands it is not their space. Never leave them unsupervised in the new room.
Reinforce Training
Double down on obedience work, house manners, and impulse control games. Crate training and “go to place” commands are especially helpful.
Exercise & Stimulation
Make sure your dog gets plenty of walks, play time, puzzles, and enrichment in those final months as your free time dwindles. Tire them out!
Practice Being Apart
Take advantage of doggy daycare, sleepovers with family/friends, crating in other rooms, etc. so separation doesn’t come as a shock.
Include Them in Routines
When bringing baby supplies into the house, let your dog explore them while praising calm behavior. Include your dog when possible to avoid jealousy.
Prepare Their Schedule
Adjust feeding, walking, and playtime ahead of the baby’s arrival so the change is not abrupt. Consider dog walkers or daycare to keep routines regular.
Limit Access at First
Use baby gates, a crate, or leash to keep your dog separate from baby at first for short supervised interactions. Never leave them loose together.
Reward Gentle Behavior
When introducing your dog to your baby, praise and reward calm, settled responses. Redirect any rough housing onto toys instead.
What Not to Do
As difficult as it may be, here are some common mistakes to avoid if your dog starts peeing in the house before or after your baby arrives:
- Don’t punish or yell at your dog after the fact for accidents. They won’t connect that to the act.
- Don’t let your dog freely access new baby areas like the nursery.
- Don’t leave your dog unsupervised with baby ever – even “just for a minute.”
- Don’t suddenly change your dog’s routine as soon as baby comes home.
- Don’t allow jumping, nipping, or other rude behaviors around baby.
- Don’t give lots of attention to baby without praising calm dog behavior too.
When to Seek Help
If your dog’s indoor potty problems, anxiety, or other reactive behaviors persist despite your best efforts, seek out a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for assistance. They can provide more customized plans for retraining, management, and desensitization.
You want to get any major behavior issues under control well before baby arrives. The added stress and chaos of a newborn is not the time for intensive behavior modification. Ask your vet for trainer referrals.
Conclusion
While dogs don’t intuitively understand pending parenthood like humans do, they are quite skilled at picking up on changes in home dynamics, routines, and emotions. Indoor urination and other reactive behaviors like anxiety or attention-seeking can manifest as dogs try to adjust to your pregnancy.
Ruling out any medical factors, sticking to potty training basics, meeting your dog’s needs for exercise and attention, and managing their environment are key to getting back on track during this transitional time. With patience and preparation, you can welcome your new baby while keeping your furry family members happy and comfortable!
