Dog Peeing at Someone Else's House During the Holidays: What to Do

This guide covers a dog that is house-trained at home but pees in a relative's or friend's house during a holiday visit: why it can happen in a new place, what helps during the stay, and how to clean the spot right away. It uses what Dogs Trust, the RSPCA, the American Kennel Club (AKC), the ASPCA, Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center, Humane World for Animals and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) say.

Why a house-trained dog may pee in a new place

Dogs Trust says: "When dogs experience change, like moving house or visiting a holiday home, they may start urinating or pooing inside."

The AKC describes the same gap between home and away: "Your dog is the picture of perfect behavior at home, but in a new environment like a friend's house or a hotel with an unforgiving accident fee, things may be a different story."

On marking, Dogs Trust says: "Even if your dog doesn't usually mark at home, they may do when visiting other homes or indoor areas." If you see small amounts on furniture or doorways, see Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking. If the tree is the target, see Dog Peeing on the Christmas Tree: Cleanup and Prevention.

Dogs Trust also covers stress and excitement. It says: "Physical and emotional stress, fear and anxiety can lead to accidents indoors." It lists "visitors to the house" among situations that may cause fear or anxiety, and says: "When your dog feels overwhelming emotions like fear or excitement, they may temporarily lose control of their bladder." For peeing during greetings, see Submissive and Excitement Peeing in Dogs: Cleanup and What Helps.

Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center says: "The holidays can bring changes to your dog's routine, which can lead to stress."

Sources: Dogs Trust, Why Toilet-Trained Dogs Have Accidents; AKC, Traveling With Your Dog? Tips For Teaching Good Behavior On The Go; Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, Holiday hazards for dogs.

Keep the usual routine

Cornell says: "Try to maintain your dog's normal schedule for meals and walks, even if your household is busier than usual." Dogs Trust says: "Dogs do best with consistent routines." The AKC's travel article quotes a trainer who says "routines help dogs thrive", and it says: "If you're doing crate training, keep doing the same things you're doing at home while on the go."

Sources: Cornell Riney Canine Health Center; Dogs Trust; AKC.

Take your dog out often

For a new place, Dogs Trust says: "You can help them by taking them outside regularly and rewarding them when they wee or poo in the right place." It also says: "You should also take them out after sleeping, playing, or eating."

The RSPCA's toilet training page lists times puppies should be taken outside, including "After every meal", "After playtime or exercise" and "After any excitement, for example visitors to the home". That list is written for puppies.

No source we checked says to take a dog out as soon as you arrive at someone else's house.

Sources: Dogs Trust; RSPCA, How To Toilet Train Your Puppy or Dog.

Supervise, or confine when you cannot watch

Dogs Trust says: "Supervise your dog closely indoors." Humane World for Animals says: "Watch your dog when they are indoors for signs that they are thinking about urinating and calmly take them outside."

The AKC's article on holiday visitors gives a rule for puppies: "A good rule for life with puppies is "supervise or confine." If you can't fully supervise your puppy to prevent unwanted behavior, you should safely confine them in a puppy-safe area of the home or a crate." It says "this is a good rule to keep in mind, no matter your dog's age." That article is written for hosting guests in your own home. For a crate that gets wet, see How to Clean Dog Pee in a Crate or Kennel.

Sources: Dogs Trust; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; AKC, How to Help Your Dog Handle Holiday Visitors.

Give your dog a quiet space

Cornell says: "Create a quiet area where your dog can retreat when overwhelmed by the noise or activity." The AKC says: "Every dog should have access to a quiet retreat space during gatherings." It also says: "Consider using a dog gate to secure them inside the room for breaks."

Sources: Cornell Riney Canine Health Center; AKC, How to Help Your Dog Handle Holiday Visitors.

Praise outdoor success, do not punish accidents

When your dog goes outside, the RSPCA says: "When they've finished, reward them immediately, every time, with lots of praise, treats and play."

If you find a puddle, the RSPCA says: "Never punish your dog if you find an accident after the event or as it's happening. Your dog may become scared and confused as they won't associate the punishment with the accident." The ASPCA says: "But a dog will not learn anything by being scolded for a past accident, even one a few minutes old." Dogs Trust says: "Clean accidents thoroughly to remove any smells and avoid telling your dog off as it could make the situation worse."

Sources: RSPCA; ASPCA, House Training Your Dog or Puppy; Dogs Trust.

Clean the spot right away

The CRI says: "The key is to act quickly!" On carpet, it says:

"Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels (no prints or colors). Using a printed or colored material may transfer ink or dye to your damp carpet. Continue blotting until the area is nearly dry."

It adds "Blot; don't scrub", and says "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet."

Humane World for Animals says to "soak up as much of the urine as possible." and "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry." It explains why the smell matters: "As long as your pet can smell their personal scent, they may continue to return to the "accident zone."" It also warns: "Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar." Dogs Trust says: "If any smells aren't fully removed, your dog may be tempted to return to the same spot to pee again."

For a rug, see How to Get Dog Pee Out of an Area Rug. If the smell comes back later, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do.

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors; Dogs Trust.

Telling your host

No source we checked covers what to say to your host or whether to offer to clean or pay for cleaning.

If accidents keep happening

Humane World for Animals says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes." If the accidents continue at home after a move, see Dog Peeing in a New House After Moving: Cleanup and What Helps, and for a newly adopted dog, see New Rescue Dog Peeing in the House: Cleanup and the First Weeks.

Source: Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." and "No scrubbing necessary". Test it on a hidden spot first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.