Havanese Peeing in the House [Behind the Wet Trails]

Zack Keithy, our author, has been a certified veterinarian technician for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers. Learn more about us here.

You’ve just come home from a long day of work, ready to kick back and enjoy some quality time with your fluffy Havanese companion.

But as you step through the front door, you’re met not by joyful yaps, but by an all too familiar, unsavory scent.

That’s right, it’s happened again. Your precious dog, as lovely and charming as it is, has transformed your loving home into a makeshift toilet, and it’s left you questioning everything you thought you knew about pet parenting.

So what should you do about your Havanese peeing in the house?

In this post, you will learn the reasons for it to happen and actionable solutions to solve the problem.

Have You Housetrained Your Havanese?

When it comes to honing the skills of your dear Havanese, an important lesson to instill in your furry companion is the art of utilizing the great outdoors as their personal restroom.

Better known as housetraining, it will serve as a cornerstone in maintaining a pristine and accident-free household. So, have you actually accomplished the task of housetraining yet?

Unfortunately, inadequately trained young pups may relieve themselves in any given location, whereas those who have undergone thorough instruction are far less inclined to do so without legitimate cause.

Reasons Why Your Havanese is Peeing in the House

There are many reasons why your dog may be peeing in the house.

Stress, anxiety, medical issues, and separation anxiety are among the most common reasons that can all lead to this behavior.

Forgotten its training

Even if you think your dog has improved in toilet training, it’s not a guarantee.

Sometimes, it can happen due to a lack of understanding or misinterpretation of the rules.

Have you moved its “restroom” recently?

Has anything changed in the house that might confuse your dog?

These factors can cause your Havanese to forget what they’ve learned.

As a responsible dog owner, you’ll still need to consistently encourage and retrain your pet even after they’ve received proper training.

In such cases, you can try retraining your pet using basic techniques and reinforcing the lesson with their favorite rewards.

Behavioral problems

Sometimes, your Havanese might have little accidents here and there due to various reasons, both internal and external factors.

For instance, unneutered male dogs have a habit of marking their territory with a little sprinkle of urine, or they might even poop on the wall (yikes!).

But don’t worry, this behavior can be modified over time.

External influences like fear, stress, or just plain over-excitement can also make your dog lose control and tinkle around the house.

Think about it, did any sudden loud noises like fireworks, thunder, or slamming doors startle your furry buddy?

Did your dog have any not-so-pleasant encounters with your friends or family who paid a visit?

Or maybe, have you recently welcomed a new addition to the family like a baby or another dog?

And hey, does your pup get anxious when you’re away? Separation anxiety can be a cause too.

Now, let’s not forget about those adorable little puppies.

They tend to get all worked up and accidentally create a little puddle. However, it’s just a phase they’ll grow out of in no time.

Potential medical issues

You know, sometimes there’s a problem that’s not so obvious at first glance, but if you take a closer look, it becomes clearer.

Here’s the thing, your Havanese might be dealing with a pesky urinary tract infection (UTI). It’s actually quite common, affecting around 14% of dogs during their lifetime.

So, how can you tell if your pup has a UTI? Well, keep an eye out for signs like frequent trips to the bathroom, straining while urinating, whimpering or crying during the process, and maybe even a bit of blood in their pee.

Now, I’m no expert, but it sounds like a trip to the vet should be on your to-do list, like, right away.

Oh, and here’s something else good to know.

There are a couple of hereditary disorders called Hyperuricosuria and Cystinuria that can also make your dog need to go more often.

You can actually find out about these conditions and more through a nifty DNA test.

Your Havanese is getting on in years

An older Havanese might struggle with bladder control and memory loss.

As you can imagine, aging will certainly affect their ability to hold it in, so be patient with your senior furry friend.

They might need extra care and more frequent bathroom breaks.

If your elderly dog exhibits any signs of decline, I think it’s best for both you and your dog to visit the vet.

Interestingly, an older dog will also regress with a new puppy. The stress it goes through can really change things up.

Urinary incontinence

Although younger dogs are not entirely excluded, older dogs are more prone to develop this condition.

Sadly, your dog has little control over this, so when it happens, you will see little puddles of urine all around the house.

Fortunately, there are medications that can help your dog in this circumstance, so visit your vet for help, or at least speak to an online vet about it.

Difference Between Inappropriate Urination and Territorial Marking

Sometimes, without realizing it, we might find ourselves getting frustrated with our dogs when they don’t pee in the right spot, and then we have to clean up the mess.

But hey, how can we be absolutely sure it was just an accident and not their natural instinct kicking in?

Well, here’s the deal: Dogs, whether they’re dudes or gals, have this thing called territory marking.

And there are a bunch of clear signs that they’re staking their claim.

So, before we go all blame game on our furry pals, let’s consider the possibility that they’re just doing their doggy thing.

How to Tell if Your Havanese is Just Marking?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYBASjiwY00

Peeing on upright objects

Here’s the thing: When it comes to your Havanese claiming their territory, there’s one telltale sign you’ll often notice.

They have this thing for peeing on upright stuff like furniture legs or even the tires of your car. It’s like their way of saying, “Hey, this is mine!”

This territorial marking tends to happen more often if you’ve recently moved to a new place.

Your dog is just trying to mark their area and make themselves feel at home.

You might even spot some sprayed urine streaks that are a bit higher up than usual like they’re making a bold statement.

Just remember, it’s all part of their doggy nature.

A small amount of urine

Dogs have their own special way of marking their territory.

They might leave a little pee here and there, not a huge puddle that screams “accident!”

Just a tiny patch that can easily go unnoticed.

It’s their sneaky way of claiming their spot, one little sprinkle at a time.

Only peeing and no pooping

If your dog only urinates and doesn’t pass any motion, that could be another sign that it’s only marking.

That suggests that rather than experiencing a strong urge to urinate, it is likely just trying to mark its territory.

Peeing at doorways/entrances

Your Havanese may occasionally have an “accident” only at entrances or even close to your bedroom door.

They are aware that the house belongs to them and their owner, and they are therefore bound to defend it.

They merely use marking as a means of communication with other dogs.

Change in the way it pees

This is mostly applicable to female dogs only.

A female dog’s urination pattern may change when she is marking.

Similar to how male dogs do, a female dog may lift one of its legs and spray a small amount of urine.

This behavior is especially obvious when a female Havanese is in heat.

How Long Does It Take to Housetrain a Havanese?

The truth is that every dog is different, and the length of time it takes to housetrain a Havanese can vary.

It usually takes around 4-6 months to fully housetrain a Havanese.

Yeah, it might seem like a while, but remember, it’s a process and your dog needs time to grasp the rules.

Now, patience is key when it comes to housetraining these intelligent and energetic pups.

They can be a tad stubborn, but with some persistence and consistency, you can teach them to do their business outside.

Here’s a pro tip: establish a regular routine.

Take your dog out after meals or in the morning when they wake up. This helps them associate going outside with bathroom time.

And don’t forget to give ’em some love when they do their business outside!

Rewards like treats, praise, or playtime go a long way in reinforcing good behavior and encouraging them to keep doing their business in the right spot.

Doggy says, you might be keen to read this too: Why do Havanese lick so much?

How Do I Stop My Havanese From Peeing in the House?

Now it’s time to think about what to do when your Havanese pees inside.

What’s important is that as soon as you bring your dog home, you should begin a solid training schedule.

If you’ve had your dog for a while and notice it’s regressing, providing appropriate training is equally crucial.

Whether it’s your dog in heat having accidents or simply marking, the techniques listed below can be beneficial.

Bringing it out more often

Taking your dog out more often can really help avoid accidents, you know?

Make sure you take your furry friend for walks and playtime every day as it keeps their mind active and reduces the urge to mark their territory.

And hey, whenever they do their business outside, give ’em some praise and a little treat. It’s a way to let them know they’re doing the right thing.

So, get that leash ready and enjoy some quality time outdoors with your Havanese.

Thorough cleaning after accidents

If your dog has an accident, you don’t have to scold it or attempt to correct the behavior right away.

Instead, ignore it right now and tidy up the mess as soon as possible.

Use an enzyme cleaner to clean up the spill rather than a paper towel or wet wipes.

Your puppy won’t be as likely to mark that location again because they are so effective at getting rid of odors and stains.

This one has worked wonders for me.

Consider spaying or neutering your dog

There are valid arguments on both sides of this debate, but we think getting the procedure is the best option if you don’t plan to breed your Havanese.

According to numerous studies, sterilized dogs are significantly less likely to mark and exhibit undesirable behaviors like humping arms (or anything at all).

Controlling the places it can access

Sure, training your dog is super important, but let’s face it, they can misbehave when left unsupervised!

If there’s nobody around to keep an eye on them, you gotta limit their access to certain areas.

Simple tools like playpens, crates, or baby gates can do the trick.

So, set up some boundaries and create a safe space for your furry pal. It’ll help prevent any unwanted mischief when you’re not around.

Establishing hierarchy

If your dog doesn’t know who’s in charge, it’ll keep marking its territory wherever it goes.

To build a better relationship with your pup and reduce the chances of marking, establish yourself as the pack leader.

You know, like the alpha dog, the big boss who’s in charge.

Fun fact: Did you know that male dogs tend to mark more often than females? It’s just their way of showing dominance.

If you have multiple dogs, make sure to identify the top dog, the one who calls the shots.

Once your dog recognizes your leadership, marking behavior can be kept in check. You got this!

Hiring a professional

If all else fails, hiring a dog trainer or behaviorist might be the answer.

You would most definitely move in the right direction after a handful of sessions with one.

They provide very different services, so be sure to have a chat with both of them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Conclusion: Havanese Peeing in The House

As you can see now, Havanese dogs might experience in-house peeing due to various reasons, including health issues or inadequate training.

As long as you ensure consistent potty training, regular bathroom breaks, and an understanding of their unique needs, you can successfully resolve this issue, leading to a happier home for you and your Havanese companion.

Check out these other dog behavior posts too:

• Why does my dog cuddle my shoes?
• Puppy sleeping on pee tray
• Why is my dog laying in the bathtub?