If you’re the proud parent of an excitable pup, you know the joys and frustrations of having a pup that pees when they get overly excited. It may seem like a hopeless battle, but there are steps you can take to help your pup learn to stay dry during those exciting moments. Here’s what you need to know to stop your dog from peeing when they become excited.
1. Talk to Your Vet
The first step in helping your pup is to talk to your vet. Urine accidents can be caused by a variety of medical issues, such as bladder infections or other urinary tract issues. Ruling out any underlying medical issues is the first step in helping your pup stay dry. Your vet can also help with any dietary or supplement questions you may have.
2. Give Supplements to Strengthen the Bladder
If your pup is healthy, you can try giving them supplements to strengthen their bladder. The most common supplement is cranberry extract, which can help reduce the acidity of your pup’s urine and make it less likely that they’ll pee when they get overly excited. Other supplements, such as Cranberry, D-Mannose, Vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, and L-tryptophan, can also help strengthen the bladder.
3. Time Potty Breaks Ahead of Excitement
Timing your pup’s potty breaks can help reduce the chances of an accident. Before you expect your pup to get overly excited, take them outside for a potty break. This can help ensure that your pup’s bladder isn’t full when they start to get excited.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement can be a great way to help your pup learn to stay dry during excited moments. Whenever your pup is able to stay dry, reward them with a treat or other positive reinforcement. This will help your pup learn that staying dry is the behavior you want.
5. Take It Slow
When you’re dealing with an overly excitable pup, it’s important to take it slow. Don’t expect them to stop peeing instantly. Instead, focus on helping them learn to stay dry for longer and longer periods of time.
6. Exercise Before Excitement
Exercising your pup before they become excited can help them stay calm and in control of their bladder. This can help reduce the chances of an accident occurring. Take your pup for a walk, play fetch, or engage in any other form of exercise before putting them in a situation in which they may become overly excited.
7. Desensitize Your Pup
Desensitizing your pup to the things or situations that excite them can help them learn to stay calm and in control. Start by having your pup in the presence of the stimulus while they are calm and in control of their bladder, then gradually increase the intensity of the situation until they can stay calm and dry even when they’re highly excited.
8. Use a Dog Diaper
If your pup’s accidents are causing significant damage to your home, you may want to consider using a dog diaper. Dog diapers can help contain any accidents that occur and protect your home from damage. They may not be the most attractive option, but they can be a lifesaver for pet parents in desperate need of a solution.
9. Crate Training
Crate training can be a great way to help your pup stay dry during moments of excitement. It’s important to crate train your pup properly and use the crate only as a safe space, never to punish them. If your pup is crate trained and they get overly excited, you can put them in the crate until they calm down. This can help prevent accidents from occurring.
Peeing when they get overly excited is a common problem for many pups, but it doesn’t have to be a hopeless battle. By talking to your vet, giving supplements to strengthen your pup’s bladder, timing potty breaks ahead of expected excitement, using positive reinforcement, and taking it slow, you can help your pup learn to stay dry during those exciting moments.