Is your dog peeing next to the pee pad you have provided? Or is the dog peeing on the edge instead of using the middle of the pad? This happens a lot and can be frustrating for dog owners. Don’t worry; today, we will cover the topic of why a dog pees next to the pee pad.
Dogs pee next to the pee pad for a few reasons.
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Incontinence
- Behavioral Issues
- In Heat
- Pad is uncomfortable
I know for myself that I do not like setting up an indoor toilet for my dog. But, both my husband and I work, so we are not home most of the day. That being said, we need to set up a bathroom for her. Our dog will be ten years old this June. She also suffers from Cushing’s Disease, which causes her to drink A LOT, and therefore she has to pee numerous times a day. We tried without the pee pads but would come home to pee on the floor. She was just not able to hold it, poor little girl. So we decided we would set her up in her own room with a bathroom. How lucky was she? We’ve been blessed, and our little Kiki pees on the pad instead of off the pad. Such a good little girl!
We use the extra-large pee pads from Costco. They work great and hold a lot of pee, which is good for us since our little girl goes so much during the day. I would not waste my money on any other dog pee pad. The price is excellent, and they work fantastic.
Use of Pee Pads
A pee pad is used for dogs that are in potty training or need to have them due to certain health conditions, or you are away from the house for long periods. Dogs can certainly hold their pee, but it comes to a point when they just have to go.
Pee pads will hold the pee so that it does not get all over your floor or carpet. The pee pad is pretty easy to pick up, and since they hold pee in, there is not much worry that any will hit the floor.
Why Do Dogs Pee Next To The Pee Pad?
So, you’ve purchased a pees pad for your dog. And, you have set up bathroom space for your dog. The reason you bought these maybe because of the health issues you have, that doesn’t allow you to walk. Or more than likely, you work, so you need to have pads set up for your dog.
Your dog is peeing beside the pad, or on the edge of the pad. This can be frustrating. You wonder to yourself, why do dogs pee next to the pad instead of on the pee pad?
There are a few reasons as to why dogs pee next to the pad. Let’s take a look at those reasons, shall we?
Urinary Tract Infection
Your dog could have a urinary tract infection. Did you know that a UTI is a top reason why a dog may pee in places where it shouldn’t? Even if your dog is well trained, if it gets a UTI, then it might just start peeing in other places and may miss the pad entirely.
If you suspect a urinary tract infection, then it is recommended that you make an appointment with your veterinarian. The UTI is treated with a prescription and takes a few days to end the issue.
Incontinence
Older canines suffer from urinary incontinence the most. This means that little puddles of pee will be found all over, even if you have put down a couple of peed pads in the home. Unfortunately, dogs don’t have any control over this issue. You can, however, talk to your veterinarian about it.
Incontinence is treatable with medication in younger dogs. However, you will want to contact your veterinarian if your dog is only peeing next to the pad.
Bad Dog
Another reason why a dog may pee next to the pee pad is because of bad behavior. Let’s face it; some dogs have an attitude. I know my dog does. When I ask Kiki to do something, and she doesn’t want to, she will grunt. And she will grunt right in your general direction. I sometimes laugh because it sounds funny, and the look she gives my husband or me. But she is by no means a badly behaved dog.
So if you find that your dog is peeing beside its pee pad, then it could be a behavioral issue.
A common reason for bad behavior in dogs is a new move. Have you recently moved homes? Some dogs get very anxious when they are moved from what they know as home to something new. They may be peeing in strange places because of the stress and anxiety of the move. Not to fear though. All you need in a little TLC and some retraining.
In Heat
When dogs go into heat, they tend to want to pee everywhere to mark their territory. So, if you have pee pads down, don’t expect them to be used all the time. You should try retraining your dog.
Does Not like the Pee Pad
Your dog may not like the pee pad. Maybe the pee pad is uncomfortable, or it doest like the feeling of it. Whatever reason, your dog does not like the pad you choose. There are different types of pads you can look into. Pad holders are great additions to the pee pad. They keep the pad in place, so it doesn’t move around on your dog.
How To Stop A Dog From Peeing On The Edge Of A Pee Pad
Okay, we have discussed why a dog pees on the edge of a pad. Now let’s talk about out how to stop a dog from peeing on the side of the pee pad.
Longer Walks and Bathroom Breaks
Your dog may be peeing in the house because it is not getting enough outside time to be able to relieve itself. Take your dog for longer walks, or increase the time for bathroom breaks. When my dog was younger, we would take her out three times a day. That seemed to work for everyone quite well. Sometimes she needed to go out a few more times, but not very often. She would let us know by pawing at us.
Now, if you work, then this may not be possible. So the best thing you can do is take your dog out for a long walk in the morning before you go to work.
Pee Pad Retraining
Another way to stop a dog from peeing on the edge of the pee pad is to retrain. Even the most well-trained dogs can do things that leave us wondering what is going on in their heads. So, if your dog is not using the pee pad they way it should be, then it’s time for some lessons.
You should try 2-3 short sessions in a day. Followed by lots of praise and, of course, treats. Dogs love to be praised, and they love treats even more. This is a great way to stop your dog from peeing on the edge of the pee pad.
Neat and Tidy
Keep the area clean and tidy. Dogs don’t like going to the bathroom where it may be dirty or smell bad. The area should be cleaned daily. Your dog may be peeing on the edge of the pad because the area smells. Change the pee pads every day. Even if your dog does not use them. This area should be sanitary and clean. You would not want to use a dirty bathroom.
Size Large
Use pee pads that are large or extra-large. The bigger the pad, the better. Leaves less room for the dog to pee on the edge of the pad. Using larger pads means using fewer pads. Instead of using four smaller pads, you may only have to use two large ones. By using fewer pee pads this means less pee getting in between pads and ending up on the floor.
Seek Professional Help
Maybe you have tried a few things. But nothing is working. Your dog is still peeing on the edge of the peed pad. You could try a dog behaviorist or a trainer. A behaviorist or trainer might be able to find out what is causing your dog to pee on the edge of the pad. These professionals are trained to understand canine behavior.
Finding The Trigger
There are many different reasons why your dog may be peeing on the edge of the pee pad. You just need to find that trigger. Is there a health issue, did you move recently, is your dog suffering from anxiety? So many possibilities. If you can find the trigger, then you will be well on your way to fixing the problem. It may take a while. So keep a journal and write everything down.
Conclusion
We have reached the end of this article. I hope you found it helpful. We don’t always know what is going on with our dogs. Their behavior can be somewhat of a mystery. So, we must always be ready and alert.
There are many reasons why a dog pees next to the pee pad. Like I mentioned earlier, we need to find the trigger. It may just be some retraining, or there may be a health issue. Whatever it is, we need to try our best and find out what causes our dog to pee on the edge of the pee pad. The sooner the trigger is found, the sooner you will be able to correct it.
Remember that a lot of love and patience goes a long way with a dog. They can’t talk to us, so we need to be there for them. We need to encourage them and love them. If the shoe was on the other foot, we know that our dog would do whatever it could to get us better and feel loved.
Until next time my friends. Stay safe, and love your dog!
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