Nothing is more irritating than cleaning up the bedsheets and the mattress after your dog has peed on it. The mess is hard to wash, and drying the mattress is an uphill task. You pull your hair in desperation and yell why does my Cocker spaniel pee on the bed? Don’t you? To ease your frustration, we have it all figured out. Hopefully, this guide will tell you the reasons why your cocker spaniel pees on the bed and some useful lifestyle changes that can help your Cocker Spaniel to stop peeing on your bed. So, let’s start.

Get to the root cause of the problem

To solve this problem, or any other issue, try to find what’s causing it. The reasons can be broadly grouped under the following two categories;

  • Physical reasons
  • Emotional reasons.

Let’s discuss them one by one.

Physical reasons:

To ascertain the physical issues that might be disturbing, take him to a vet. The vet will perform a thorough check-up and most likely ask for a urine sample for further testing. The physical ailments inflicting your dog could be kidney or bladder infection, a urinary tract infection, kidney tumor, incontinence, arthritis, etc. He can conclude only after a thorough physical check-up of your dog, conducting relevant tests, checking your dog’s history, age, and other factors. Once the problem has been established, he will suggest remedies that might include medicines, lifestyle changes, or a combination of both.

If no physical issue is diagnosed, we must look at the emotional reasons that might be triggering this behavior.

Emotional reasons:

There may be a plethora of emotional reasons behind such behavior. We list down some of the most common below;

  • Stress or anxiety
  • Change of house
  • Not choosing the best quality bed
  • Separation anxiety
  • The arrival of a new baby in the household
  • Addition of new pets
  • Removal of a pet

You need to consider such factors and work on their redressal carefully. It may be hard to pinpoint a single emotional issue, but you need to be patient and look at it holistically. Hopefully, you will get to the bottom of the problem. If you find out that your dog is stressed, you must figure out its reason. There can be multiple reasons and don’t dismiss the problem as a passing phase. It is a serious issue and requires a concerted effort on your part for its remedial.

Myths about dogs urinating on beds

Myths about dogs urinating on beds

Many people think that a dog peeing on the bed is a sign of dominance or the dog is marking its territory. Some people also attribute this behavior to a symbol of rebellion or the dog trying to get even with you on some matter. Let us categorically bust all these myths. A dog is not vindictive by nature, so he is not getting even with you on any issue. Dogs also do not mark their territory like cats. He may be doing it to indicate that he has been there. But not because he wants to own that space. So, please do not heed such ill-informed opinions and try finding the real cause of this behavior.

Lifestyle changes you should consider while handling this issue

Lifestyle changes are important for your Cocker Spaniel to develop some good habits. By taking the below steps, you can prevent your Cocker Spaniel from peeing on the bed and enjoy a happier and healthier relationship with your furry companion.

Hinder his access to bed:

A bed is soft, city, inviting, and what’s even more tempting for your dog is filled with your smell. So, it’s no wonder your furry friend likes to roll into it and pee on it. You can lock your bedroom; it will automatically keep the dog out. If that is not possible, don’t let your Cocker climb on it and firmly command him to get off it immediately.

Understand the timing of this act and take appropriate action:

Observe the time of your dog when he wets your bed. Is it morning or at night? If it’s nighttime, remove the water tray from his access once he is done with dinner. Also, take him out for a walk after dinner and encourage him to empty his bladder. Once he has done the deed, praise him lavishly or give him his favorite snack as a treat. Let him know that he is doing a good act and he will get a reward for doing it and it will make you happy.

Understand the timing of this act and take appropriate action

If he is urinating mainly during the daytime, restrict his access to the bedroom or the bed.

Revisit the potty training:

Whether your Cocker is a pup. or a grown-up dog, it’s time you refresh your Cocker Spaniel potty training. Sometimes a dog needs such a refresher to reinforce it in him. He should realize that you expect him to continue with it forever. If you think you cannot handle it properly, don’t hesitate to take an expert’s help. A dog trainer will guide you on how to handle it perfectly.

Exercise, training, and walks:

We love to keep dogs as pets, but we often neglect or ignore their caretaking. Cocker spaniel is a brilliant animal, and you would want to keep him mentally alert and sharp. Therefore, you must partake in physical activities with your Cocker Spaniel. Take him on regular walks and ensure he gets his fair share of physical and mental games. They will keep him mentally and physically strong and save him from such ailments.

Don’t be unnecessarily harsh and strict on your dog:

As annoying as this behavior is, you need to display patience and perseverance to deal with it. Don’t castigate your dog too much over it. You never know what is going on in his mind and what is compelling him to resort to such behavior. So, don’t rush to conclusions and certainly do not come down hard on your dog.

Conclusion

That wraps up our topic, and we hope that now you know the answer to the question, why does my cocker spaniel pee on the bed? There is not a single reason for it. As you can see, there are multiple factors at play here, and you need to look at this problem from different angles and ascertain its root cause. Only then you will be able to address it effectively and eventually, you can stop peeing your Cocker Spaniel in the house.