8 Steps to Preventing “Excited Pee” in Dogs

Have you ever come home to a super wiggly, tail-wagging, bouncing-off-the-walls dog, only to find a little puddle by the door? If so, you’re not alone. “Excited peeing” is common in dogs—especially puppies—but it can happen even with older dogs, and it often happens during greetings or highly stimulating moments.

The good news is that this behaviour doesn’t reflect any “bad intentions” on your dog’s part. They’re simply trying to cope with a sudden rush of emotions. Below are practical tips to help you and your dog navigate these overly-enthusiastic greetings in a calmer, confrontation-free way.

When a dog is about to cross into “too excited” territory, you’ll usually see telltale body language:

• Rapid tail wagging

• Wiggly body movements

• Jumping or bounding around

• Rapid breathing

• Not responding to cues or prompts they normally follow

It’s important to recognize these signs before your dog hits their peak excitement. If they typically respond to “sit” or “look at me” and suddenly seem to “tune out,” that’s your signal they’re heading toward a meltdown-like moment.

Time is the number one asset when it comes to helping your dog avoid excited peeing. Instead of crating or isolating them in another room, try engaging them with calming or soothing activities in a quiet area.

Think of it exactly like reading a story book to a child at bedtime—it gently guides them toward a calmer state (when then also helps them fall into a nice nap or sleep).

Some dog-focused examples include:

• Snuffle mats: Hiding treats in a snuffle mat can redirect your dog’s energy into sniffing and foraging, which is naturally calming.

• Food puzzles: Puzzle feeders also challenge the dog’s mind, focusing their attention on an engaging and rewarding task.

Both of these options can ultimately used to prevent the accident in the first place, if used at the correct moment, before your dog gets overly stimulated.

If your dog is on the cusp of an over-excited pee moment, you can:

1. Use a leash: Gently guide them away from the person or situation causing the excitement, no different than when you’re walking outdoors together.

2. Draw attention to a new scent: Present a strong-smelling treat near their nose so they focus on that, and then calmly guide them away.

This approach helps the dog “reset” before greeting again in a calmer state of mind. Think of it like getting a whiff from a meaningful scent like your partner’s cologne, which can help influence how you’re feeling in that moment.

To encourage your dog to make better choices, offer positive reinforcement for neutral, calm and collected behaviour. This can be:

• Food rewards: Treats (especially tasty, high-value ones) work wonders to reinforce good manners.

• Gentle praise and soothing tones: A calm, soft voice can help maintain a lower energy level.

• Engaging “sniff” games: Reward them with a quick game of “find it,” tossing treats on the floor for them to sniff out.

Just make sure that the rewards are happening either as your dog is making the choice (helpful if this is something new for them) or afterwards, rather than as a bribe or lure to get them to do it in the first oplace.

One of the biggest challenges arises when guests or strangers want to greet your puppy or dog. To keep everyone (including your dog) happy and dry:

• Set expectations ahead of time: Let visitors know they may need to give the dog some space, and that they might not be able to greet in the usual enthusiastic way.

• Offer alternative greetings: Encourage visitors to toss treats away from themselves so your dog can sniff around and decompress. This creates a gentle “break” for the dog and reduces the intensity of a face-to-face greeting.

Even with the best plan, accidents happen. When they do:

1. Stay calm: Avoid scolding or reacting in a big, dramatic way.

2. Clean up, move on: Make a mental note of what triggered the pee and adjust your approach next time.

3. Learn from it: The more you understand your dog’s triggers, the better you can anticipate and prevent future slip-ups.

Many pet parents worry that toning down greetings might feel less warm or damage the bond with their dog. The reality is:

• It’s all about the quality of interaction rather than the quantity of big, boisterous greetings.

• By giving your dog the space and time they need, you’re actually strengthening trust. You’re showing them you respect their emotional boundaries and want to help them succeed.

Finally, remember this:

Your dog’s reaction is not “premeditated”—they’re simply doing the best they can based on how they feel.

Stay patient, keep rewards positive, and recognize that every calm greeting is a step forward. Over time, you’ll see fewer and fewer “excited pee” moments, and a whole lot more relaxed, happy hellos.

In Summary

Excited peeing can be frustrating, but it’s usually just a sign that your dog needs a little space, time to regulate and gentler interactions when emotions run high.

By recognizing the early warning signs, offering calm activities, coaching visitors, and maintaining patience through setbacks, you’ll teach your dog that calm greetings are both safe and rewarding.

Eventually, you’ll get to enjoy warm, tail-wagging hellos—minus the little puddle on the floor!