Dog Pees When Left Alone: Cleanup and What Helps
This guide covers dogs that pee indoors only or mainly when left alone: possible reasons, what helps, and how to clean the spot so the smell does not draw your dog back. It uses what the ASPCA, the American Kennel Club (AKC), Humane World for Animals and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) say.
Possible reasons
The ASPCA's separation anxiety article says: "One of the most common complaints of pet parents is that their dogs are disruptive or destructive when left alone. Their dogs might urinate, defecate, bark, howl, chew, dig or try to escape. Although these problems often indicate that a dog needs to be taught polite house manners, they can also be symptoms of distress."
It lists the main possibilities separately:
- Separation anxiety: "Some dogs urinate or defecate when left alone or separated from their guardians."
- Incomplete house training: "A dog who occasionally urinates in the house might not be completely house trained."
- Marking: "Some dogs urinate in the house because they're scent marking. A dog scent marks by urinating small amounts on vertical surfaces."
- Boredom: "Dogs need mental stimulation, and some dogs can be disruptive when left alone because they're bored and looking for something to do. These dogs usually don't appear anxious."
Humane World for Animals lists among the signs of separation anxiety "Urination and defecation (even with otherwise house-trained dogs)". If your dog is new to you, see New Rescue Dog Peeing in the House: Cleanup and the First Weeks.
Sources: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety; Humane World for Animals, Calm a dog with separation anxiety symptoms.
How to tell the patterns apart
The ASPCA says: "If a dog urinates or defecates in the presence of his guardian, his house soiling probably isn't caused by separation anxiety." It adds:
"When a dog's problems are accompanied by other distress behaviors, such as drooling and showing anxiety when his pet parents prepare to leave the house, they aren't evidence that the dog isn't house trained or doesn't know which toys are his to chew. Instead, they are indications that the dog has separation anxiety."
The AKC says: "One of the best ways to see what's really going on in your absence is to get audio or video footage of your dog's behavior while you're away."
Before behavior work, the ASPCA says: "Before attempting behavior modification for separation anxiety, please see your dog's veterinarian to rule out medical issues." For older dogs, see Senior Dog Accidents: Cleanup Steps for an Older Dog. If you see small amounts on vertical surfaces, see Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking.
Sources: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety; AKC, Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Signs, Causes, and Prevention.
Left too long between breaks
Humane World for Animals says on dogs peeing in the house: "While it can be frustrating to come home to an accident, simply clean it up and consider what might have caused it. Do you need a dog walker midday, or does your dog enjoy their crate and can this help reduce the accidents they're having while keeping your home cleaner?"
As puppy house-training advice, the AKC says: "A common guideline is that puppies can generally hold their bladder for approximately the same number of hours as their age in months, up to about 9 months to 1 year of age." It adds: "Individual puppies' needs and behaviors vary, however, and some may need more frequent trips outside." On separation anxiety, Humane World for Animals says "a dog walker, pet sitter or neighbor checking in midday can also help." For young dogs, see Puppy Accidents: Cleanup Steps That Stop Repeat Spots.
Sources: Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; AKC, How to Potty Train Your Puppy and Prevent Accidents Indoors; Humane World for Animals, Calm a dog with separation anxiety symptoms.
Calm departures and arrivals
The ASPCA says: "all greetings (hellos and goodbyes) should be conducted in a very calm manner."
Humane World for Animals reports that trainer Lindsay Hamrick says to "keep your departures and your return home as chill as possible".
Sources: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety; Humane World for Animals, Calm a dog with separation anxiety symptoms.
Practise short absences
For moderate or severe cases, the ASPCA says:
"In these cases, it's crucial to gradually accustom a dog to being alone by starting with many short separations that do not produce anxiety and then gradually increasing the duration of the separations over many weeks of daily sessions."
It adds: "The main rule is to plan your absences to be shorter than the time it takes for your dog to become upset." It says these programs "require the guidance of a trained and experienced professional. For help designing and carrying out a desensitization and counterconditioning plan, consult a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB)."
Source: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety.
Exercise and food puzzle toys
The ASPCA says: "Try to exercise your dog right before you have to leave him by himself. This might help him relax and rest while you're gone." On food puzzle toys it says: "Be sure to provide them whenever you leave your dog alone." It limits stuffed food toys this way: "Keep in mind, though, that this approach will only work for mild cases of separation anxiety because highly anxious dogs usually won't eat when their guardians aren't home."
Source: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety.
Crates and anxious dogs
The ASPCA says: "Crate training can be helpful for some dogs if they learn that the crate is their safe place to go when left alone. However, for other dogs, the crate can cause added stress and anxiety." It adds: "If he shows signs of distress (heavy panting, excessive salivation, frantic escape attempts, persistent howling or barking), crate confinement isn't the best option for him. Instead of using a crate, you can try confining your dog to one room behind a baby gate."
Humane World for Animals says: "Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses inside a crate, and they may urinate, defecate, howl or even injure themself in an attempt to escape." If the crate itself is wet, see How to Clean Dog Pee in a Crate or Kennel.
Sources: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety; Humane World for Animals, Calm a dog with separation anxiety symptoms.
Do not punish after the fact
The ASPCA says: "Do not scold or punish your dog. Anxious behaviors are not the result of disobedience or spite." The AKC says: "Plus, if you return home to damage or accidents, don't punish your dog. You will only add to their anxiety and worsen the problem."
Sources: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety; AKC, Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Signs, Causes, and Prevention.
Clean the spot so the smell does not draw your dog back
The AKC's urine cleanup guide says: "Lingering scent can draw your dog back to the same area, reinforcing accidents."
For a fresh spot on carpet, Humane World for Animals says: "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry." The CRI says "Blot; don't scrub." and "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 warns:
"Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar. Strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area."
For a rug, see How to Get Dog Pee Out of an Area Rug. More on why spots draw dogs back: Why Do Dogs and Cats Keep Peeing in the Same Spot? If the smell returns after cleaning, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do.
Sources: AKC, How to Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet: Smells and Stains on Fabric; Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet; CRI, Cleaning and Maintenance.
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.", "No scrubbing necessary" and "Odor-Free & Residue-Free". 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.
Related guides
Sources: ASPCA, Separation Anxiety; AKC, Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Signs, Causes, and Prevention; AKC, How to Potty Train Your Puppy and Prevent Accidents Indoors; AKC, How to Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet: Smells and Stains on Fabric; Humane World for Animals, Calm a dog with separation anxiety symptoms; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet; Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance; Pet Cleanup Kit product listing. All checked 28 October 2026.