My Dog Pees When Excited! Here's Why + How to Stop It | Pupford

Welcoming a dog into your home brings endless joy, but some behaviors can leave you scratching your head—or mopping your floor.

One such puzzling issue is excited urination, where your dog pees when they’re overly excited, stressed, or thrilled. While this is a common and often temporary behavior, it can be frustrating to manage without understanding the reasons behind it.

In this blog, we’ll explore why dogs pee when excited, practical management tips, and training techniques to address the behavior effectively. We’ll also briefly touch on the related behavior of submissive urination to help you differentiate between the two.

Table of Contents

1. What is Excited Urination?
2. The Difference Between Excited and Submissive Urination
3. 5 Tips for Managing Excited Urination
4. Training Techniques to Address Excited Urination
5. When to Seek Professional Help
6. Cleaning Up Accidents

What Is Excited Urination in Dogs?

Excited urination occurs when a dog involuntarily pees due to emotional overload. It’s most often seen in puppies or young dogs who haven’t yet developed full bladder control or emotional regulation.

Unlike housetraining issues, this behavior isn’t about defiance or lack of training—it’s a physiological response to heightened excitement.

Speaking of house training, do you need help potty training your pup? Check out our Potty Training Course!

Common Scenarios for Excitement Peeing

Excited peeing can be unpredictable, but it commonly occurs around similar situations. Here are a few common times that dogs pee when excited:

• Excited greetings
• Play sessions
• New encounters

Let's look at each one below. 👇

Excited Greetings: Coming home to a wagging tail and a little puddle? Excitement at seeing you can cause involuntary urination.

Do you have a hyper or excited dog when you come home? Try these tips for when you get home!

Play Sessions: Intense or prolonged play can trigger excitement-driven accidents.

New Encounters: Meeting new people and pets or entering unfamiliar spaces might overwhelm your dog emotionally.

Do Puppies Outgrow Excitement Urination?

Most dogs outgrow excited urination as they mature and gain better bladder control, typically around 12-18 months. However, some dogs may need additional training and support.

🐶 Ready to train a well-mannered pup? Sign up for the 100% free online video course 30 Day Perfect Pup. Get access here!

The Difference Between Excited and Submissive Urination

While excited urination is about emotional overflow, submissive urination stems from deference or insecurity. Dogs displaying submissive urination might crouch, roll over, or tuck their tails, signaling appeasement or anxiety. Although they’re different behaviors, both involve involuntary urination and can sometimes overlap.

This post focuses on excited urination, but the training methods we’ll discuss can help build confidence, which benefits dogs prone to submissive urination as well.

Related Reading: Learn How To Read Your Dog’s Body Language

5 Tips for Managing Excited Urination

If your puppy or dog frequently pees when excited, incorporating these management strategies can help minimize messes while you work on training.

1. Stay Calm During Greetings

Dogs often mirror our energy. When you come home, enter quietly and avoid high-pitched voices or enthusiastic movements. Greet your dog calmly once they’ve settled.

2. Encourage Calm Behavior

Teach your dog to sit or lie down when meeting people. Offering a treat or toy as a reward for calmness can redirect their energy.

Check out our 5 tips to calm down a hyper dog!

3. Take Frequent Potty Breaks

Emptying your dog’s bladder before stimulating situations reduces the chances of accidents. Consider a quick potty break before guests arrive or playtime begins. Sticking to a feeding and potty schedule is key here!

4. Gradually Expose Your Dog to Excitement

Build your dog’s tolerance by exposing them to exciting scenarios in small, controlled doses. Over time, they’ll learn to regulate their emotions more effectively.

5. Use Belly Bands or Puppy Pads Temporarily

For male dogs, belly bands can contain accidents during training, while puppy pads offer a safety net for females. These tools protect your home while your dog learns better control.

Shop Potty Pads for Dogs here!

Training Techniques to Stop a Dog From Peeing When Excited

Managing the behavior is helpful, but training addresses the root cause: emotional regulation. Consistency is crucial to success when trying to help your dog stop peeing when excited.

Reward Calmness with Positive Reinforcement

Reward your dog for calm behavior with treats, gentle praise, or toys. When your dog sees that calmness leads to good things, they’ll be motivated to repeat it.

Desensitize Triggers

Identify what excites your dog (e.g., visitors or play) and introduce those triggers gradually. For example:

• Have guests enter quietly and wait for your dog to settle before greeting.
• Start play sessions at a lower intensity and gradually increase excitement as your dog learns to stay calm.

Teach Alternative Behaviors

Encourage your dog to sit, stay, or go to a designated spot when they get excited. Teaching these behaviors gives them a constructive outlet for their energy.

🐶 Ready to train a well-mannered pup? Sign up for the 100% free online video course 30 Day Perfect Pup. Get access here!

Practice Low-Key Greetings

Train visitors to wait for your dog to settle before greeting. Once your dog is calm, allow a quiet interaction. Over time, this reduces the anticipation and excitement tied to greetings.

Monitor Your Body Language

Dogs are incredibly perceptive. If your movements or tone suggest excitement, your dog is likely to mirror that energy. Staying composed can help keep them calm.

When to Seek Professional Help

Most cases of excited urination improve with time and training, but if the behavior persists or worsens as your dog ages, consult a veterinarian or professional positive reinforcement trainer.

Persistent urination could indicate a medical issue requiring treatment, such as a urinary tract infection or incontinence.

Related Reading: How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer

Cleaning Up Accidents

When accidents happen, use an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate odors thoroughly, even on the carpet. This prevents your dog from being attracted to the same spot.

Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, as they can mimic urine smell and encourage marking.

Why Dogs Pee When Excited + What to Do Recap

Addressing excited urination requires time, patience, and consistency. Celebrate small victories along the way, and remember that your dog isn’t acting out on purpose.

They’re simply learning to navigate their emotions in a world full of stimuli. By understanding their behavior and providing support, you’ll not only help your dog gain control but also strengthen your bond.

With consistent management and training, you’ll both enjoy calmer, happier moments together—and fewer wet floors!

🐶 Ready to train a well-mannered pup? Sign up for the 100% free online video course 30 Day Perfect Pup. Get access here!