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Help! My Dog Peed on the Sofa

Beagle laying on couch, looking at camera

It doesn’t matter how much you love your dog, but it’s always frustrating when he/she has peed on the sofa. This irritating habit ruins your furniture by leaving hard stains of dog urine on it. If your dog keeps peeing on your sofa, read on to get more details about the causes and possible remedies for this problem.

Why is My Dog Urinating on the Sofa?

If your housetrained dog has just peed on the sofa, there’s definitely something with him/her. Wag Walking explains that the following reasons can urge your pup to eliminate on your couch.

Illness

Even if your housetrained, a bladder or urinary tract infection can make him/her pee on the sofa. Likewise, diabetes or inner parasites are also among the common causes of inappropriate elimination. If your pup has suddenly started urinating in the house, you should monitor him/her closely. This will help you to observe the signs, like increased thirst, of an underlying medical problem.

Incontinence

Woman on couch on the telephone next to shaggy brown and white dog

Although this problem mostly affects older dogs, some young canines can also develop this condition. Generally, incontinence will occur while the dog is sleeping because he/she is relaxed. Fortunately, it can be identified by the vet in your dog’s regular checkup.

Territorial Marking

This practice is very common among canines, especially those with a dominant nature. These pups like to choose their peeing spots on their own and may mark your sofa in the process. If you own such a pooch, it’s important to assert your dominance to curb this negative behavior.

Anxiety

Submissive behavior can also make your dog urinate on your sofa. Normally, this type of behavior is observed in those canines who have gone through traumatic experiences. Similarly, stress and loneliness can also be the reasons for your dog’s anxiety.

What Can I Do If My Dog Peed on the Sofa?

Shaggy long haired tan dog curled up on a dark grey couch

If your dog peed on the sofa, you can use any of the following methods to clean your couch.

Use an enzymatic cleaner

Get a towel (cloth or paper) and soak up the urine from the peed spot. Keep repeating this process with a new towel until most of the urine is absorbed. After that, spray an enzymatic cleaner (paid link) on the spot and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Then, blot the cleaner with a towel until the area is dry. Exposing the sofa to the sunlight or using a dryer can help remove the odor completely. These cleaners are pretty effective at removing urine stains (and odor) because they break down the uric acid.

Vinegar and Baking soda

Vinegar and Baking soda in bottles with hand stirring a glass of vinegar and baking soda combined

This is an excellent home remedy to remove dog urine stains from your furniture. Start the procedure by soaking up most of the urine from the soiled spot. Then, generously drizzle some baking soda on the stain, and wait for 5 minutes to let it sit. Baking soda not only helps with the cleaning, but it is also a natural deodorizer.

Meanwhile, make a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Now, spray this mixture onto the same spot where you drizzled the baking soda. Leave it for 5 minutes before blotting the stain with a towel to dry the spot.

Hydroperoxide, Dish detergent, and Baking soda

Just like the previous technique, you will start by absorbing as much urine as possible from the accident spot. Once it is done, sprinkle some baking soda on the stain and wait for 5 minutes. While you are waiting for the baking soda to sit, make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish detergent.

For this purpose, add half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of dish detergent in a bowl. Mix them well before applying them to the stain with the help of a towel. Let the mixture blot on the spot for a while. In the end, just dry the spot to complete the cleaning process.

How to Stop a Dog from Peeing on the Sofa?

Golden retriever sitting on a light grey couch

Fortunately, there are some techniques to stop your pooch from peeing on your sofa. Doggy Sauras mentions that it may take some time, but this behavior can be curbed with a consistent effort. Some of the ways that can help you achieve this goal are as follows.

Spay Your Dog

It is believed that spaying can stop canines from peeing on the furniture, with a success rate of about 50-60%. Neutering is also an effective method to keep your dog safe from many health problems. For example, it is really helpful in case of incontinence and other urinary diseases. Likewise, spaying also reduces possible aggression and helps your dog to live longer.

Unmark the Territory by Cleaning

Woman in green overalls with a large upholstery cleaning machine, cleaning a light grey couch

If your dog keeps peeing in the same spot, it’s quite possible that he/she is trying to mark his/her territory. In this case, it’s necessary to clean the area thoroughly to stop your pooch from eliminating there. You can find many cleaners in the market that can remove dog urine stains. Alternatively, you can try some home remedies to clean your sofa.

Train Your Dog

Training is a key part of being a pet parent. Just like other behaviors, you can also train your dog to pee at a particular place (other than your sofa). You will need to exhibit a lot of consistency and patience during this training to get the desired results.

Find a suitable spot for your dog’s toilet and make sure that you take him/her there every time he/she wants to go. Keep repeating this practice for a few weeks and your pooch will ultimately learn what’s the right spot to pee. If multiple people are involved, make sure that all of them are using the same rules and place.

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