6 Reasons Your Dog Has Potty Accidents Indoors

There are few problems more frustrating for most dog owners than potty accidents in the house. This is a relatively common issue in dogs of all ages, and can lead to lots of stress and aggravation for both you and your pet.

Fortunately, this problem is often very easy to fix once you determine what is causing it. Read on for some of the common reasons that your dog may be having accidents.

Medical Problems

If your dog was reliably housetrained in the past and recently began having accidents, it’s always best to have a check-up done by your veterinarian before doing anything else. This is because there are a number of common illnesses and medical problems that often cause dogs to have accidents in the house – some possibilities include a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and prostate or bladder tumors.

If your dog does have a medical problem, you won’t be able to get the accidents under control until the underlying issue is diagnosed and properly treated. You should always rule out medical issues before attempting any training or behavior modification to fix the problem.

Incomplete Housetraining

Puppies or young dogs often have accidents in the house because they simply don’t know any better – they may not have ever been completely housetrained, especially if they recently came from a shelter or rescue.

If this is the case, you will need to go “back to basics” and treat the dog like an 8-week-old puppy who doesn’t know where to potty, even if your dog is a bit older. This means very frequent trips outside, rewarding with a treat for pottying outdoors, and constant supervision in the house to prevent any opportunity for accidents. For some dogs, crate training helps them to get with the program a bit more readily. Most pups and young dogs will catch on within a few weeks, as long as you’re patient and consistent.

Recent Change in Routine or Environment

Dogs are creatures of habit – any change in their daily routine or surroundings can sometimes cause them to become confused and begin having potty accidents. This can sometimes happen if an owner’s work schedule changes or someone in the household moves out (such as a child leaving for college).

It’s also important to realize that housetraining is very location-specific for dogs. Just because they understand the rules at your house, doesn’t necessarily mean that they will understand not to potty inside when you visit friends or relatives, or in a new house if you have recently moved. Take some time to remind your dog of basic housetraining rules every time you visit someplace new. For instance, go outside frequently for potty breaks and make sure to supervise your dog closely indoors until you’re sure things are back on track.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

If your dog only has accidents when you’re not home, it’s very possible that it may be suffering from separation anxiety – having accidents in the house is a common sign of this problem. You can set up a video camera to record your dog when you leave the house if you suspect that this may be the cause of your dog’s accidents. It’s normally quite easy to tell when watching the video if your pup is anxious or upset. If so, it’s best to talk with your veterinarian since many pets with separation anxiety need prescription medication to treat the problem effectively.

In the meantime, confining your dog to an area of the house with hard floors can make it easier to clean up accidents when you get home. You can also try giving your dog a special long-lasting treat every time you leave the house, such as a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter or frozen with canned food. This can help to reduce anxiety by keeping your dog busy and giving it something to look forward to when you’re gone.

Urine Marking in Dogs

For male dogs that have not been neutered, urine marking is a normal behavior – they lift their leg and pee on things in order to “leave their mark” for other male dogs and to help attract females. While it’s a normal behavior for male dogs, it’s extremely inconvenient for owners and can make housetraining quite a challenge! Because of this, it’s recommended to have male dogs neutered if they are not show or breeding animals.

Some unspayed females will also urine mark, although this is less common than in males. In females who do mark, spaying is recommended to help resolve the problem.

Cognitive Dysfunction

Older dogs sometimes develop a problem called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) – this is similar to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Many affected dogs will sometimes forget their housetraining and have accidents in the house, even if they were previously very reliable about going outside.

Other symptoms of this disorder include restlessness or pacing at night, getting “lost” in familiar places, staring off into space, or seeming to forget familiar people. If you suspect that your senior dog may have this problem, talk to your veterinarian about your concerns, as there are medications available that can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dog suddenly having accidents in the house after being housetrained? A sudden change in a previously reliable dog is almost always a signal worth taking seriously. The most common culprits are medical conditions — urinary tract infections, bladder stones, diabetes, Cushing's disease, and chronic kidney disease can all cause a dog to lose bladder or bowel control unexpectedly. Before assuming it's a behavior issue, schedule a veterinary check-up so underlying illness can be ruled out first.

When should I call the vet about my dog's potty accidents? Call your veterinarian promptly if accidents appear suddenly in a dog who was previously reliable, if you notice blood in the urine, straining, excessive thirst or urination, weight loss, or if your dog seems painful or lethargic. These signs can point to conditions that need diagnosis and treatment — not training. When in doubt, a vet visit is always the right first step.

Can anxiety really cause a dog to have accidents indoors? Yes. Separation anxiety is a recognized behavioral condition in dogs, and inappropriate elimination is one of its hallmark signs. If your dog only has accidents while you're away, seems distressed when you prepare to leave, or shows other anxious behaviors (destructive chewing, excessive vocalization), separation anxiety may be the cause. Your veterinarian can help determine whether behavioral support, environmental changes, or medication is the right approach.

Will neutering or spaying my dog stop urine marking in the house? Altering a dog — particularly males — significantly reduces urine marking in many cases, especially when done before the behavior becomes deeply ingrained. Some unaltered females also mark, and spaying can help reduce that behavior as well. That said, altering is not a guaranteed fix for all marking, particularly in dogs who have been marking for a long time; consistent housetraining reinforcement may still be needed.

How do I know if my senior dog's accidents are caused by cognitive dysfunction rather than a medical problem? Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) typically comes with a cluster of signs beyond accidents alone — nighttime restlessness, seeming "lost" in familiar spaces, staring blankly, or failing to recognize familiar people. A medical condition, however, can look very similar. Your veterinarian will likely run bloodwork and a urinalysis to rule out physical causes before considering a cognitive dysfunction diagnosis. Never assume age alone explains the accidents.

How long does it take to re-housetrain a dog who is having accidents? Most puppies and young dogs with incomplete housetraining catch on within a few weeks when pet parents are patient, consistent, and return to the basics — frequent outdoor trips, immediate praise and a small treat for going outside, and close indoor supervision to prevent opportunities for accidents. Older dogs may take a bit longer, especially if a routine change or move triggered the regression. Crate training can speed up the process for many dogs.

This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.