Why Is My Adult Dog Having Accidents All of a Sudden?

It can be alarming if you have an adult dog that suddenly starts having accidents in the house. This is especially true if the dog is several years old and has been housebroken for a long time.

Understandably, you want to eliminate the problem. However, you should focus on the cause, as it can be a sign of a more serious issue.

This article will highlight why adult dogs can start having accidents in the home again and what you can do to fix it.

Understandably Frustrating

It can be very frustrating when your dog starts having accidents in the house, especially if they’ve been housebroken for a while. The problem is usually fixable, but you need to get to the root of what’s causing it.

Don’t Get Mad

Getting angry and yelling at your dog for having an accident doesn’t help the situation at all. Honestly, it will lead to further problems because of the stress it causes.

Clean the mess up, remind the dog where they’re supposed to use the bathroom, and put them in the yard for a few minutes. They’re probably stressed about the situation, so it’s important that you don’t get mad.

Finding Out Why

The first thing you should do is contact your dog’s vet. When an adult dog begins using the restroom in the house, it may mean a more serious condition is present.

These conditions can include kidney disease, dementia, infection, and arthritis. Your vet will run tests to determine what the cause is, so it may take some time.

Additionally, lifestyle changes can cause these issues in an older dog. Moving to a new house or the loss of another dog or family member can trigger adult dogs to have accidents in the house.

Treating the Problem and Preventing It

Follow the advice your vet gives you regarding what causes the accidents. If you need to, contact a dog trainer if you believe the problem is mental and not physical.

A trainer may be able to accommodate your dog and put them through a new training routine. You can increase how often you walk your dog and even use pee pads in case they don’t make it to the door when you’re going to take them out.

The right dog trainer can help you in moving forward with this issue. If the vet doesn’t give you the answers you need, this can be the most appropriate course of action.

Again, the issue can be frustrating. However, it’s important to keep your cool until you get the answers you’re looking for.