Dogs pee. It happens. They have to. Everyone pees, so it shouldn't be a surprise. Puppies are just like little children. When they have to go they go. Old dogs are like old people. When they have to go, they go too! So, how do we get this under control?

First things first. If your dog pees in the house it's your fault. Dogs don't have opposable thumbs and they can't work a door knob. Dogs learn to understand our language, both verbal and non-verbal, but we are very slow to understand theirs. So NEVER EVER punish your dog for peeing in the house. Especially if they have done the deed and walked away from it. When it comes to excretion they have a very short memory. They know they are doing it when they are doing it, but once they walk away they are just as surprised as you are that it's there. Don't call your dog to you to scold it or spank it (NEVER EVER SPANK A DOG). When you do you just taught the dog that if they come to you when called they will be punished. So, in their head, coming to you is a bad thing.

Secondly, I hate pee pads. Pee pads are scented like dog pee. You are telling them, "this is the place to go." Once they pee there, they think, "I should find a pee smelly spot and pee in the house."

Third...newspapers. Don't work. Don't go there. Dogs can't read, and if they can they don't brag about it.

So, let's talk about what works.

Dogs want to pee on the closest thing they can find to grass. Hence, rugs and carpets are targets. So, you have options. Get rid of the rugs and carpets (understandably, that is not always an option). Crate train your dogs (I'll have a separate blog on crate training). If you have a stubborn dog, or one who can easily hide where they go, put them in diapers. They don't mind wearing them and when they go they end up peeing on themselves. They hate that! The great thing about diapers is it lets you see how they are doing on the house training.

Puppies need to go outside to potty about every two to three hours. They want to pee right when they wake up from a nap, or right after they eat. Or when they get excited. They also want to mark areas they want to claim as their own. So, when a puppy wakes up, lead them out the door (don't carry them) and in a happy tone say, "Go potty." Wait patiently. When they go, give them lots of praise, "Good potty!" and pet them. Treats are handy at this point too! You are now teaching them that going outside to relieve themselves gets them praise, pets, and treats. It's all good! Make sure you say, "Let's go in the house," when you're ready to return. Always make sure you get to walk through a door first. That's a dominance thing (another blog).

Even after months of work you might still find pee in the house. If you do just clean it up. Keep practicing. Your dog will get better.

A handy tool to have around is a commercial black light. They aren't expensive. I suggest one with a hundred LEDs as they are very bright. Urine glows florescent yellow under a black light. It makes it very easy to find any accidents. And, you want to clean those up quickly because they have now marked a spot that will be an ongoing rest stop if you don't.

To pee, or not to pee, that's not the question. Whether tis' nobler to pee inside or outside is. Good luck!