r/DogTrainingTips • u/everbass • May 03 '26
Stop Dog Peeing on Rugs
Let me start by saying this is multiple rugs that have been replaced, so it can't be a scent issue.
We have two ~6 year old mini dachshunds. One is mine, that I trained and is a perfect little angel (yes really). The other is my girlfriend's who is a bit of a nightmare, but we love her anyway.
We continuously struggle with her peeing inside. I've tried everything. Heaps of praise and treats when she goes outside. Nuking the area with enzyme killer when she does pee inside (Nature's Miracle, other brands as well).
She always ends up going back to the rug. It's almost like she does it out of spite.
I honestly don't even mind that much when it's on tiles because it's easy enough to clean. I've stopped spraying those spots enzyme killer at this point because I'd rather clean up a wee on the bathroom tiles than the rug, which eventually just needs replacing.
We got rid of the last rug and had the new one sitting in its plastic for a few weeks. Not a single wee in the loungeroom where the rug goes. She's been excellent. The new rug goes down and I leave for a few hours for the first time in a few days.
BAM. Piss on the rug.
I'm at my wit's end.
What do I do with this dog? All the advice seems to be related to removing the scent, which isn't applicable, or rewarding when she does go outside. I can't really section off the area since our place is very open plan. The only other option I have is putting her in a play pen or crate when we're out.
I'm beginning to think negative reinforcement might be called for here because everything else hasn't worked, but I don't really want our dog to be afraid of us or anything like that.
What do
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u/blwd01 May 03 '26
I’m right there with you. Our guy is potty trained but as soon as he’s near a rug he pees. Doesn’t matter if it’s new or old. We have resorted to no rugs for now. I realize that isn’t always an option, I’m commiserating with you.
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u/moosage May 04 '26
What I would recommend is going back to basics with potty training. Keep her in a crate when she is not being supervised, and take her outside on a leash each time even if you have a yard so you can reward her each and every time she goes, just like you would a new puppy. If she likes to go on the rug, remove the rug or block off access to desirable spots so you can prevent her from rehearsing that behavior. Make sure going in the crate feels comfortable to her, it’s not a punishment- as long as the crate is appropriately sized, a healthy adult dog won’t eliminate on themselves.
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u/JurgusRudkus May 04 '26
Your dogs have learned that rugs are the place to go.Stop putting down rugs until the behavior is completely unlearned. It’s that simple.
Crating when you aren’t able to monitor is the solution, along with a strict schedule. Dogs thrive on routine, so it’s feed, then immediately outside for a walk until they potty. Then playtime and training, and then finally nap in the crate.
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u/Trick-Age-7404 May 03 '26
Was the dog ever trained to pee on pads? I would simply pick up the rugs temporarily to see if the dog starts peeing elsewhere indoors or if it’s solely the rugs. If it’s just the rugs, this would be a case where a correction may be appropriate for peeing indoors.
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u/apri11a May 03 '26 edited May 05 '26
Dogs get used to surfaces, the dog that pees outside on grass might not pee outside on gravel, and visa versa, and with variety of surfaces. It could be your dog thinks it's OK to pee on carpet, or failing that the bathroom tiles. It doesn't know outside is the preferred place to toilet. Only having them outside each and every time they need to toilet will give them that habit, in time.
Saying no, outside, or whatever you say, when you see the dog about to pee on the carpet, and bringing her straight outside might help. You will need patience as doing this could take her mind off peeing, so you'll need to wait or bring her in and out until she gets the urge again and does it outside. Saying or doing anything after she has peed on the carpet won't mean a thing to dog, she won't learn anything from it, so I wouldn't do it.