So, Your Dog Peed On Your Bed…

Everyone expects a few accidents inside when they get a new dog, even if it’s an adult with previous potty training. Accidents happen, and they’re easy to clean up, except when they happen in your bed. 

Yep, it’s true, dogs sometimes pee in your bed! It’s gross, it’s upsetting, and it can feel personal. It’s part of the not-so-glamorous side of dog ownership, but it doesn’t have to be a long-term problem. 

Before we dive into the answer to “why does my dog pee on my bed?” let’s get one thing straight: Your dog is not doing it to be purposefully malicious! Do your best to not get upset–by addressing the behavior calmly, you’ll create a better outcome. 

Dog Peed On a Bed

Why Does My Dog Pee On My Bed?

The most common reason a dog will pee in your bed is because of a heightened emotional state. Anxiety, fear, and even excitement can make a dog’s bladder ‘trigger-happy.’ Most people whose dogs pee in their beds have recently acquired the dog, which means they are naturally going to be more prone to uncertainty, anxiety, and over-excitement. Coming to a new home is very exciting, but it can also be scary, so your dog will experience a lot of complicated emotions. 

Some dogs who are excessively submissive may also pee when excited as a sign of submissiveness, a behavior that you can work on by increasing your dog’s confidence and building a deeper bond with them 

Dog Peed On a Bed

On very rare occasions, dogs may “mark” your bed, but this is almost never the case. Marking is a behavior where the dog releases a very small amount of urine, usually on a vertical surface. If your dog has had a full pee in the bed, it’s not marking! 

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If your dog repeatedly urinates in your bed, this could be a sign of a deeper medical issue, and you should consult with your veterinarian. Possible medical issues that could impact your dog’s ability to choose where they pee include urinary tract infections, kidney problems, crystals in the urine, and more. 

What’s the Solution?

Remember, the first step to take when your dog pees in the bed is to just breathe. It’s important not to overreact and make your dog feel more fearful since the reason they have peed in your bed is most likely because they are experiencing a heightened emotion. If you’re reading this, you probably Googled “why does my dog pee on my bed,” so you’re on the right track! 

1. Patience

being patient with a dog Peed On a Bed

If your dog is new to your home, it’s unlikely that they will pee in your bed more than once. This is a relatively common experience amongst adopted dogs, so consider that they may just need time to adjust to their new surroundings. 

If it happens once or twice more, this could still be a normal adjustment period, but keep an eye out for a pattern of behavior. If you find that your dog is regularly peeing in your bed, you may want to consult a veterinarian in addition to using behavioral shaping methods. 

2. Behavioral Shaping

When training your dog, it’s important to focus more on rewarding good behavior vs. punishing bad behavior. Ideally, you should never punish your dog, and either ignore or redirect unwanted behaviors. In the case of peeing in the bed, you should focus on teaching your dog to ask to go outside, establishing a potty routine, and giving them positive reinforcement for pottying outside. 

dog gets treat

Consider bringing treats with you on potty breaks, offering them lots of praise when they potty outside, and teaching them to go to the door to tell you they need to go. 

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3. Preventing Damage

Whether your dog has a medical condition that affects their ability to control their bladder, or they have established a habit of peeing in the bed, it’s a good idea to take steps to make your life a little easier and protect your mattress. 

dog getting punished

Buy a mattress protector that is waterproof, and invest in high-quality enzyme cleaners to eliminate the smell. The better you clean your dog’s accidents, the less likely they will be to continue peeing in your bed. 

Why Does My Dog Pee On My Bed? The FAQ

Looking for more answers to your questions? 

Why Is My Housebroken Dog Peeing On My Bed?

If a housebroken dog suddenly starts peeing on your bed, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Have you recently moved?
  • Has a major change happened in the family? Death, birth, addition of another dog?

If the answer to these is ‘no’ the issue could be medical, and your dog could be experiencing a UTI, kidney stone, etc. Set up a vet appointment ASAP.

Should I Punish My Dog For Peeing In My Bed?

No. You should never punish your dog for any unwanted behavior. Dogs respond to punishment with fear, and you absolutely do not want your dog to be afraid of you. 

Dog Peed On a Bed

Why Is My Female Dog Peeing On My Bed All Of A Sudden?

Female dogs are more prone to UTIs than male dogs, so you should consider getting her checked by the vet for a UTI. 

Why Is My Old Dog Peeing On My Bed All Of A Sudden?

If your senior pup has started peeing on your bed, it is likely due to an underlying medical issue. As dogs age, they can also start to lose control of their bladders. Set up a vet appointment ASAP.

Why Does My Dog Pee On His Blanket?

For all the same reasons we’ve listed that dogs might pee on a bed!

  • Heightened emotion (anxiety, submissiveness, excitement, etc.)
  • Medical issues
  • Territorial marking
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Do Dogs Pee Out Of Spite?

No! Dogs don’t experience spite. A dog might pee out of fear or anxiety, but they do not pee to punish their humans. 

If you’re concerned about your dog peeing on your bed while you’re away, start crate-training them! 

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