If you’ve recently welcomed a new pup into your home, little accidents are bound to happen. But if you’re dealing with a puppy peeing on the bed (either their own bed or yours), it goes without saying that you need to teach them that it’s not okay.
But here’s the thing…
…Even though puppies are smart, they’re not going to instinctively know the rules of the house. So it’s ultimately up to you to show them the ropes and teach them what is and isn’t acceptable.
Now, a big part of this is always going to be location (basically, choosing a designated spot for them to do their business). And showing your pup where to go to the toilet should be the very first thing on your to-do list, as it will save you lots of unwanted accidents in the long run.
This is where developing a consistent routine based on their toileting habits becomes essential. Because let’s face it, no routine at all isn’t going to do you, your pup, and your nice clean bedsheets any favors.
But before we dive headfirst into the do’s and don’ts of potty training, a quick heads up.
Developing consistent potty training habits that stick is a must if you want to stop your puppy peeing on the bed anytime soon.
So before we get into what to do (and what not to do) when potty training your pup, I’d highly recommend checking out Potty Training Made Easy from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer.(see video below)
Basically, it’s a free 4 part video training series when Dan takes you through several techniques that will help you teach your puppy the essential habits needed to get them potty trained in record time.
And while it’s not a miracle overnight cure for your puppy soiling the bedsheets. I guarantee that if you listen, learn, and actually apply what Dan teaches in these short training videos. You’ll be well on your way to having a fully potty-trained pup sooner rather than later.
Anyway, here’s the link to take a look: Potty Training Made Easy – The Quick & Easy Way To Potty Train ANY Pup…
(video will open in a new window)
Why is your puppy peeing on the bed?
Now, if your puppy keeps peeing on the bed, the first rule to remember is don’t panic!
Because while there are a whole host of reasons why your puppy might be choosing the bed as their designated toileting area. The good news is that you can change their behavior with a little bit of patience and the right information.
So let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons your puppy keeps soaking the sheets. So you can quickly get them on track to go in the place of your choosing every time!
Here we go…
They’re not potty trained
Obviously, if your puppy isn’t potty trained, it’s unfair to expect them to know when and where they should be doing their business.
This is why when you bring your pup home for the first time, it’s vital that you set some ground rules and show them where they should be going.
So before anything else, you should consider the following:
- Decide where you want your pup to do their business.
- Walk them to a designated toilet area each time they’re showing signs they need to go (sniffing the floor, pacing, etc…)
- Create a consistent routine that your pup can learn – and take them out as soon as they wake up, straight after meals, and before bedtime
- Keep calm and have a positive attitude when training, even when accidents happen!
- Use positive reinforcement (treats and praise work well here) whenever they pee in the correct location, as this will help them develop positive associations with that particular spot.
Remember that if your puppy doesn’t know where they should be going, they’ll start sniffing out their own spot. And as you already know, this may well be nestled between your pillows.
They don’t know any better
In the early days, in particular, your puppy won’t know that it’s not okay to pee on the bed. This is why it’s so important to start potty training as soon as reasonably possible to help them develop consistent habits.
Again, yelling or using punishment is a big no-no. I understand it’s frustrating when your pup pees on the bed. But in the long run, this will ultimately make matters worse and even undo any progress you may have previously made.
They’ve made it their designated spot
You might find that your puppy has unknowingly chosen your bed as their potty territory. You can usually tell if this is the case if they pee in small amounts in multiple places around the bed.
Basically, this signifies that your pup is marking the space as their own.
Although urine marking is common, particular breeds are known to do it more than others. It’s also a lot more common in pups who haven’t been spayed or neutered.
This fact further reinforces the importance of potty training as early as possible. Because if you don’t show your pup early on where they can and cannot go, chances are they’re going to go where they like.
It’s a case of submissive urination
Submissive urination happens when your puppy has an uncontrollable, instinctive reaction to the presence of another dog or human that they might find intimidating.
However, it can also occur if they fear abandonment or are worried by external stimuli like loud noises, for instance.
Although submissive urination in your pup can be frustrating, it can be made a lot worse by showing your frustration.
They need more potty breaks
It sounds simple, but it could just be you need to take your little bundle of joy out a few more times during the day.
Even if you’ve done your homework and are fully aware of how often they should be peeing based on their age. You still need to understand that every pup is different, and adding a few more trips to the backyard could be just what the doctor ordered.
And if you’re ever away from your pup for an extended period of time (for instance, going to work). It’s always a good idea to get a friend or family member to check in on her and let them out to pee.
At the end of the day, potty training is a process, and accidents are all part of the game when it comes to welcoming the bundle of joy into your home.
However, if you do find the whole thing a little daunting, and you’re hell-bent on stoping your pup marking their territory where you sleep. Then now would be the time to take a look at the Potty Training Made Easy Course from Dan Abdelnoor.
Again, this is going to give you a great deal of insight into how to effectively deal with ANY potty training issue. Regardless of how bad you think your puppy’s potty habits may be.
So take a minute to check it out before moving on…
How To Stop Your Puppy Peeing On The Bed
So now we’ve looked at one or two reasons WHY your puppy might be peeing on the bed. Let’s take a look at a few ways to nip the problem in the bud once and for all…
Revisit your potty-training routine
If your puppy keeps peeing on the bed despite your best efforts, you might just need to revisit the routine you’ve set out for them.
It might just be a sign that your puppy isn’t getting out enough, or maybe you’re taking them out at irregular intervals when they don’t need to go.
But regardless of what schedule you’ve set out for them, you need to remember that there’s no one size fits all approach for every puppy. So getting creative and mix things up is a great starting point if you haven’t been seeing results.
You never know, something as simple as adding in an extra potty break could work wonders for seeing a positive change.
Although it might seem like a lot of effort at first, it will ultimately help you identify when your puppy does (and doesn’t) need to go so you can adjust their schedule accordingly.
Consider using potty pads
Potty pads are an excellent option if you don’t have easy access to outside space for whatever reason. Or if your puppy sometimes refuses to go outside.
If you do use potty pads to train your puppy, you should consider the following tips:
- Be patient. Because puppies can’t control their bladders until they’re sixteen weeks old, accidents are bound to happen.
- Go regularly. Even the best-designed potty routines don’t cater for all little accidents.
- Remember, a wasted trip is much better than having to clean up a warn yellow mess.
- Supervise at all times. While you should watch a puppy to make sure they don’t have an accident, it will also help you learn your pup’s pee schedule.
- Use a leash. Even if you’re making use of potty pads inside, it’s always helpful to use a leash to stop them from straying too far. And if left to their own devices, they might not make it to the pad in time.
Again, potty pads can be a really helpful way of preventing your puppy from peeing on other surfaces indoors.
However, be that as it may, you still need to make a considerable effort to take the pee party outside sooner rather than later.
Use a crate to help with potty training
In addition to pads, crates can be a godsend when it comes to teaching your puppy bladder control.
The basic premise behind using a crate for potty training is that puppies (and dogs) don’t like to soil where they sleep.
So introducing a crate early on and turning it into their sanctuary is ideal for just this type of thing.
If you decide to introduce a crate, keep the following tips in mind:
#1 – Select a crate that is appropriately sized.
If your crate is too big, your puppy could use one corner as a place to do their business, which defeats the object of them being in the crate in the first place.
Pick a size in which your pup can lie down and turn around comfortably, but with no extra room.
#2 – Reward your puppy with a treat for going inside the crate. If they start to associate the crate with rewards, they’ll be much more likely to go inside willingly in the future.
#3 – Don’t use the crate for punishment. Not only will this scare and confuse your pup, it won’t help with their potty training in any way.
#4 – Whenever you let your puppy out of the crate, make sure you take them straight outside (or to a potty pad), so they can do their business.
Now, some people will argue that it’s cruel using crates to train your puppy. But in reality, they can be a really useful tool not only for potty training. But also as a place of calm and refuge where your furry friend can just chill and relax.
As you can see, there are a lot of variables when it comes to deciphering when dealing with a puppy peeing on the bed.
It could simply be a lack of potty training, or it could be something a little more difficult to put your finger on.
But whatever the reason, don’t beat yourself up, as potty training isn’t easy, and it requires time and patience.
That’s why I always recommend the Potty Training Made Easy Course to each one of my readers who are struggling with potty training issues.
Because by applying the simple techniques outlined in Dan’s free course, it’s ultimately going to help you get your puppy’s toilet habits under control while setting you up for long-term success.
Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully, this post has helped you see the light at the end of the tunnel and made you realize that a puppy peeing on the bed isn’t necessarily the end of the world.
And while I know at times it can be really frustrating when your pup turns your bedsheets into a darker shade of yellow. I guarantee that if you follow the simple steps outlined above, you’ll undoubtedly be well on your way to solving the issue sooner rather than later.
