How Old Are Dogs Before They Quit Peeing From Excitement?

If your precious pooch has an unpleasant habit of peeing whenever she's excited, don't assume that the problem will necessarily go away with a little time. Although excitement urination is particularly common in puppies, for some, the behavior may continue into the full-grown adult stage.

If you notice that your doggie seems to have a habit of peeing whenever he's feeling stimulated or happy, excitement urination may be his issue. Some common circumstances for excitement urination include saying hello to you when you return home from work, playtime or yummy treat time. If you spot a few little trickles of urine by your pet's paws during any of these situations, excitement urination may just be to blame.

Excitement urination is not uncommon in puppies who are under a year old, notes the Toledo Area Humane Society. Wee pups lack the total bladder control that adult dogs possess. However, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services in California indicates that the problem typically subsides without any outside prompting as a dog exists the puppy stage and becomes an adult. No specific age exists for when a dog may stop submissive urination, however, as some do indeed continue with it past a year old.

If you are worried that your adult dog's excitement urination isn't going away anytime soon, or at all, consider some of its possible causes. Some potential triggers for the behavior include separation anxiety, urine marking, insufficient housebreaking and health ailments. Never make any assumptions about why your dog may be urinating inappropriately. Medical issues, such as urinary bladder dysfunction, may be at fault. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog's urination is not medically-related.

You are not helpless when it comes to your pet's messy problem. If your cutie's excitement urination is definitely caused by just that, do what you can to minimize and hopefully fully eliminate the frustrating behavior. Firstly, pay no attention to your dog when he's behaving in an overly excited manner. If he does pee when excited, do not discipline him, as that may just exacerbate the situation. Also do your best to keep playtime and greeting time as calm and quiet as possible. The last thing you want to do is encourage more excitement and chaos, after all. Abstaining from eye contact may help with this. In the event that your doggie's excitement urination seems too severe for you to manage on your own, consider recruiting the assistance of a certified animal behaviorist. Your vet may be able to point you in the right direction.