Dog suddenly poops in the apartment again - 5 reasons

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Your dog is house-trained, but suddenly he's making a mess in the apartment again? Find out what might be causing this and how you can fix the issue.

02.06.2025

5 Reasons Why Your Dog Suddenly Isn't Housebroken Anymore

Your dog suddenly starts peeing in the house again, and you have no idea why? When a dog that was previously →housebroken suddenly starts going inside again, it always has a cause. There can be many different reasons, such as a health issue, stress, excitement, or something else. In any case, it is a signal that something is wrong and should not be ignored!

We describe some of the possible causes in more detail for you. However, it is also advisable to consult a dog trainer or possibly a veterinarian. The trainers will come to your home, look at your apartment, and analyze the behavior of you and your dog. This way, they can tell you exactly what the issue is.

Illness

If your four-legged friend is going in the house irregularly over several days, you should have him checked by your veterinarian soon. It may be that the sudden uncleanliness indicates a health problem.

A bladder infection, for example, can affect the control of urination. Other symptoms can include lethargy, fever, a noticeable odor of urine, and traces of blood. But also diabetes or kidney problems can manifest through sudden uncleanliness in dogs.

Tierarzt spricht mit Halterin und Hund

With a →healthy and species-appropriate diet, you pave the way for a long and fulfilling life for your dog. Don't know what food suits your four-legged friend? Let our experts →advise you for free or try one of our →sample packages. Our dry food, for example, is free from grains and gluten, but packed with juicy meat and crunchy fruits and vegetables.

Insecurity

Another cause may be that your dog is insecure. Has anything changed in your normal routine? Have you perhaps moved, has a new pet joined the household, or are you leaving your dog alone more often than usual? Even a new carpet or a change in daily routines can trigger insecurities in dogs.

Especially with young dogs or even →rescue dogs, it can happen that they haven't built up much self-confidence yet and therefore urinate in the house. In this case, the problem may resolve itself with age and growing self-confidence. However, talking to a trainer is definitely helpful here.

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Separation Anxiety

Does your dog always go in the house as soon as you are no longer in the same room or you leave him alone for a moment? The cause here may possibly lie in separation anxiety. Due to →fear and the immense stress, many dogs lose the control over their bladder and unintentionally go in the house. Separation anxiety is an important issue that you should definitely address with dog trainers or behavior therapists.

Excitement

Some dogs also urinate when they are particularly excited. This can be, for example, out of joy or enthusiasm when you come home. If this happens with an adult dog that was previously housebroken, you should practice leaving him alone or greeting people again. Because urinating in such situations can also be a sign of stress and tension.

It's different with puppies and →young dogs. Here, it is more common for them to urinate, for example, when greeting people or playing. The reason for this is usually the joyful excitement combined with not yet complete bladder control. It is particularly important to keep greetings calm, even if you are very excited and your little puppy is so cute! Otherwise, this excitement will transfer to your dog.

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Marking Behavior

Normally, a well-trained dog does not mark in the house. However, marking in the home can occur if the dog is, for example, unsure of his position in the group or if there has been a change at home, such as a separation or a new family member.

Also, if there is another four-legged friend in the house, your dog may suddenly start marking. Sometimes it is even enough if just another dog walks by the window or balcony. In both cases, the help of a trainer is advisable to see if it is really "just" marking behavior and how to best approach the situation.

Other Causes

Of course, there are more reasons why your dog suddenly goes in the house again. Sometimes it is also combinations of several things or just tiny details. We therefore recommend having the dog checked by a veterinarian. If your four-legged friend is healthy, consult a dog trainer or behavior therapist. Together, you will find a solution that is specifically suitable for your dog.

Undine Tackmann
Undine Tackmann