Potty Accidents: Is Your Dog Giving You a Problem or Having One?

Small dog looking at a puddle of urine on a tiled kitchen floor near a sliding door.

Puppy accidents are a common part of training—understanding the cause is key to preventing them.

By Siddhika Bhat, certified dog trainer and behaviorist, founder of Wagabonding: Dog Training and Beyond

Let’s face it: potty accidents are the messy mysteries of dog parenting. One moment, your pup's a fluffy angel, and the next, they’re redecorating your favorite rug. So, are they being a little rebel, or is something deeper at play? Before you wag a finger, let’s sniff out the truth. Dogs don’t plot bathroom chaos (despite what their side-eye suggests). Often, accidents hint at training gaps, health hiccups, or simple puppyhood. Grab the mop (and your patience); it’s time to decode the mess and turn "oops moments" into success moments!

Bathroom Blunders: 3 Reasons Your Puppy Isn’t Making It Outside

Here’s what really goes through your puppy’s mind right from the point where they feel the need to pee to the point where they end up having an accident: Hmm, I feel something... Oh! I need to pee. Wait, what’s that smell? Is that food? Oh no, I forgot I needed to—oh, a toy! Must chew it. Wait, the urge is back… Where should I go? Is this the spot? Maybe here? Too late!” 

Here’s a quick breakdown of this thought and 3 reasons why your puppy is repeatedly having accidents in the house.

They Can’t Find Their Designated Spot

If the designated spot for a puppy to do their business is in one corner of the living room but the puppy is spending all of their time in the bedroom or the kitchen, the process of finding the designated spot becomes a tad challenging. Often, in the course of trying to find the spot, many puppies end up having an accident on the way as that is comparatively an easier option. Try to make the process of finding the designated spot super easy for your pup. 

They Have Gotten Used To A Certain Spot

A puppy’s preference in terms of a preferred spot to do their business is dictated by a multitude of factors such as routine, training, environment of the designated spot, and so on. If one of the mentioned factors clicks with your pup in the chosen area, they may continue to relieve themselves in the same spot. To break the cycle, figure out why your puppy is choosing to relieve in a certain spot. Is it the scent? Is it the environment? Ease of access? Whatever it is, try to replicate that outside.

Health Concerns

Conditions like urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, or bladder control issues can make it difficult for them to hold their urges or signal in time to go outside. Pain or discomfort while walking or climbing stairs may also discourage them from venturing outdoors. Additionally, stress or anxiety can disrupt their routine and lead to accidents indoors. It's crucial to monitor their behavior and consult a vet if accidents persist despite consistent training, as addressing underlying health concerns is key to their comfort and successful potty habits.

Are They Doing It On Purpose? 

Puppies are the live embodiment of the concept of living in the moment. They have zero long-term planning skills, so accidents are less about defiance and more about a short attention span paired with a bladder the size of a thimble. 

Dogs don’t have the ability to process complex emotions like guilt, vengeance and so on. Thus, if your puppy is repeatedly having accidents in the same spot, several factors may be contributing to it. These factors include strong scent in the area, favorable environment, ease of access and so on. Another possible reason for your puppy peeing on your belongings in your absence could be separation anxiety or isolation distress. Peeing or pooping helps them relieve their stress. So, to answer the question, No! They are not doing it on purpose. 

Dog covering its face with its paw while a person points at it in a cozy living room setting.

Positive reinforcement is more effective than scolding when addressing puppy potty accidents.

Here’s What Happens When You Punish Your Puppy For Having An Accident 

Yelling, scolding, reprimanding, hitting or any other activity that is unpleasant to your puppy can be considered as a “punishment.” You must remember that your puppy is doing the best they can with the information you are providing them with. Your dog’s behavior at home and general response to their environment are products of their instincts and your training. Your dog continues to have accidents in the house because they are either acting out of instinct or their training may be incomplete.  

When a puppy is punished for accidents, they may become confused or scared rather than understanding the behavior expected of them. This fear can lead to hiding when they need to go, resulting in accidents in hard-to-reach places instead of signaling their need to go outside. Punishment also erodes the trust between you and your puppy, making them anxious and less likely to learn effectively.

2 Appropriate Ways To Respond To Your Puppy’s Accidents 

How you respond to your puppy having accidents in the house can make or break your training. You can either lose your cool and scar your puppy for good, or keep calm and make progress at a faster rate. So think before you act! Here are 2 appropriate ways to react when you see that puddle of urine on your floor:

Quietly Clean It Up

If you walk in on an accident that happened hours—or even minutes—ago, trying to correct your dog is like scolding a coworker for eating your lunch last week. Your dog has no clue why you’re upset and might just think you have a weird grudge against certain spots on the floor. Dogs live in the moment, so if you missed the act, the teaching opportunity is long gone. Unless your dog thoroughly understands the language you speak, it is impossible for your dog to know why they are being scolded. Save your energy for prevention, not a crime scene investigation!

Interrupt Them And Lead Them To The Designated Spot

If you catch your dog in the act, interrupt them instantly. You could say a quick crisp NO or clap a couple of times loud enough to just startle your dog and stop the stream momentarily. The immediate next step would be to lead your dog to the designated spot for them to finish their business. Avoid carrying them to the spot because that wouldn’t teach them to physically get there the next time they need to. Having a leash on your dog indoors is a great idea to be at the ready whenever you need to lead your dog to the spot. 

French bulldog wearing a sweater sitting on a Porch Potty.

The Porch Potty makes house training easier by giving your puppy a dedicated potty spot indoors.

5 Tips That Actually Work To Prevent Accidents During Puppy Potty Training 

Keep Your Puppy’s World Small

Unlimited access to a puppy that is not house trained is a disaster in the making! They are going to have accidents all over the house and leave their scents in unwanted places. This will only make the process of potty training more challenging. Limit your puppy’s access to only one little corner/ area of the house. Use baby gates to block off other areas outside of it. This area must either have indoor potty training arrangements or the entry/exit to the door that leads to an outdoor designated potty area. This area must also contain your puppy’s crate, a little space to play, their food, water and toys. Make your puppy feel as comfortable as possible in this little space. The easier it is for them to track the designated space on their own, the faster they will be potty trained.  

Invest In The Right Tools

For the puppers and pup-parents living in colder areas (or even in scorching temperatures), frequent outdoor potty breaks may be a wee bit of a challenge. This is where Porch Potty comes to the rescue! A patch of fake grass that’s as close to a backyard as your apartment pup is going to get. It’s like a VIP bathroom suite for your fur baby, minus the muddy paws and frantic leash grabs. For dog parents, it’s a blessing in disguise, saving you from late-night elevator rides and rainy-day potty drama. Here’s a little patch of faux grass that could save the day – Rain or Shine, Literally!

Follow A Structured Routine

Dogs thrive on structure and routine. They need routine to fall back on every step in the way of being raised as a family dog. Have a fixed time and a predictable cycle of meals, play time, nap time, walk time and potty time. A dog that knows what to expect is way more balanced and well mannered as compared to a dog that has no idea what to expect out of their day. A structured routine is also important for building bladder control.

Observe And Understand Signs

Every dog exhibits signs right before they relieve themselves or feel the need to do so. Some common signs include barking, whining, waiting by the door, sniffing and wandering off mid-play, getting hyper, etc. Some dogs display clear signs whereas certain dogs may be a little more subtle with their communication. Observe your dog closely to be able to favorably respond to their pre-potty communication. 

Never Leave Your Puppy Unsupervised

Leaving your untrained pup unsupervised is like giving them a license to have accidents all over the house. A puppy that is not taught the right way will make their own ways. These ways usually take the form of potty accidents and undesirable behaviors. Keep a close eye on your puppy to prevent accidents. Preventing accidents and leading them to the right place at the right time is the only way to achieve success in potty training. Consider crating your dog when you’re unable to supervise them. 

At What Age Do Puppies Stop Having Accidents? 

Ah, the golden age of fewer messes! Most puppies start to gain better bladder and bowel control around 4–6 months old, but don’t pop the confetti just yet—each pup has their own timeline. Smaller breeds might take a little longer, while larger breeds often master it sooner. Consistency, patience, and a solid potty-training routine are your best friends here. 

Remember, accidents are part of the journey; it’s like puppy puberty—awkward but temporary. So, keep the mop handy a bit longer, because one day soon, your pup will graduate to full-time potty pro! 

Siddhika Bhat, Certified dog trainer and behaviorist and founder of Wagabonding.

Siddhika Bhat, Certified dog trainer and behaviorist and founder of Wagabonding.

For more information on potty training your puppy, check out these articles:

Common Misconceptions About Dog and Puppy Potty Training

Porch Potty's Guide to Puppy Proofing Your Home

Why Do Dogs Pee in the House?

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