No matter your dog’s age or how well trained he is, there is always a chance that he may pick up the bad habit of peeing on furniture. Though this most commonly occurs when a dog wishes to mark his territory, there are wide-ranging reasons for this behavior. Here’s how to keep male dogs from peeing on furniture:
- Supervise your dog. From the moment you bring your dog home, supervise him closely. Dogs can learn bad habits very quickly. You must correct any bad behaviors you see before they can turn into habits, which are very difficult to break.
- Tell him “no.” If you even think that he may be getting ready to pee on your furniture, tell him “no” in a loud, firm voice. Do not yell; dogs can’t understand this, and will just get excited. If your dog knows any training commands, such as “sit,” this would be a good opportunity to use them.
- Train your dog. The importance of training cannot be understated when you’re trying to keep male dogs from peeing on furniture. For dogs in general, training is the most effective way to stop unwanted behaviors.
- Have your dog neutered. Having your male dog neutered, especially when he is still a puppy, has been shown to prevent many unwanted behaviors, including peeing on furniture. However, neutering an older dog who has been peeing on furniture for quite some time may not break the habit.
- Minimize household changes. Most commonly, a male dog will start peeing on furniture to mark his territory in response to a disrupted routine. This is particularly true if there is a new person or pet in the house, such as a new baby or a new cat. Minimize the possibility of your male dog marking his territory by making the change as gradually as possible. It may take some time for your male dog to get used to the new addition to your household, but even during this transition, it is important not to allow these types of behaviors.
- Take your dog for plenty of walks. Your dog may be less likely to pee on furniture or elsewhere in your house if you make sure that he is taken for walks frequently.
- Ask the vet. If you are having difficulty breaking your dog of this bad habit, ask the veterinarian for recommendations. In addition, a well-trained dog who abruptly begins peeing all over your house may have a medical issue in need of attention.
- Clean the pet stains. A dog is more likely to urinate where he has peed before. Use an enzyme cleaner to remove any scent that may attract your dog to the same spot over and over.
Male dogs may pee on furniture for a variety of reasons. If you want to stop this bad behavior, it’s important that you watch your dog closely, correcting the behavior whenever you see it. Also investigate possible causes, from a new addition to the house to a medical condition.