Why Does My Dog Want to Go Outside Every 5 Minutes? 4 Vet-Verified Reasons

Dogs can be goofballs and provide us with daily entertainment. Most dogs love to have something to do to avoid boredom, such as playing with toys or engaging in a game of fetch, and if a dog gets bored, destructive behaviors may arise. Dogs are also curious creatures that love to investigate the world around them because that’s just what dogs do! But why would your dog want to go out every few minutes? Should you be concerned?

There are a few possible reasons your dog is constantly wanting to go outside, ranging from a medical issue to just plain old boredom. Keep reading below to learn what could be causing your dog to go outside every five minutes and what you can do to help curb the behavior.

The 4 Common Reasons Why Your Dog Wants to Go Outside Every 5 Minutes

1. A Possible Medical Issue

The first possibility you’ll want to rule out is if there is a medical problem present. A urinary problem, most typically, a urinary tract infection (UTI), but not only, could be the reason for the behavior. A UTI can make your dog feel the urge to urinate often, so much so that it could be every 5 minutes. When you let your dog out, observe if it is urinating every time it goes out, how much urine comes out, if they are in pain, or uncomfortable, or if their pattern of urination is different from usual. If just a little comes out each time, a urinary problem is likely the culprit and needs addressing by your veterinarian. Urinary issues can make your dog very uncomfortable, and prompt treatment is recommended.

If instead of increased urination, your dog moves its bowels each time they ask to go out, and the consistency is softer than usual or they are straining to defecate but are unable to, a trip to the vet is in order.

What Does a UTI Look Like in Dogs? 

Your dog may strain to urinate or even cry or whine while in the process. Sometimes, blood may be in the urine, or the urine may come out in little drops rather than a full stream. The urine may have a strong odor, and your dog may lick their genitals. Observe your dog while it urinates to see if any of the above signs are present. If so, take them to the vet for prompt treatment.

2. Your Dog Is Bored/It’s a Game

Dogs need plenty of mental stimulation and can get bored easily, especially depending on the breed. If your dog is bored, they may want out frequently to quell the boredom. Going outside every 5 minutes could become a game to them because it’s getting a reaction out of you.

If you feel this is the case, try exercising your pooch to get them tired and provide them with interactive games indoors. Throw the ball around in the backyard or engage in a puzzle game to exercise their mind—if your dog wants out every 5 minutes, exercising them will likely diminish this behavior.

3. A Critter Is Outside

Dogs are predatory by nature, and if you constantly have birds, squirrels, or other critters in your yard, odds are your dog will want outside to chase them—this is especially true if you have a dog belonging to the sporting group, such as a Labrador Retriever. Herding dogs, such as the Border Collie, may also have an impulsive interest in chasing critters in an attempt to herd them.

Stray or feral cats roaming around may also entice your dog to have the desire to go outside constantly. Even if the animal is no longer present, the scent is, which will not leave your dog’s mind that quickly. The result? Your dog will want to go outside frequently to smell and investigate.

4. Your Dog Is Going Through an Adjustment Period

This scenario pertains to adding a new dog into your home, especially from a shelter. It takes time for shelter dogs to acclimate to their new surroundings, as everything is brand new to them regarding your home. Your dog could feel intimidated by all the new sounds, smells, and sights of your home and would rather be outside to avoid them.

Another scenario is your dog is looking for their previous owner. Some dogs form strong bonds with their owners, and if you have adopted a surrendered dog from a shelter due to health reasons or even the previous owner's death, your dog may want outside to look for them.

Sometimes, you never know the history of an adopted dog, and the dog may have had a doggie door in their former home, allowing them to go outside anytime. If you don’t have a doggie door, your dog may simply be alerting you that they want out since they can’t do it on their own in your home.

How to Stop the Behavior

The first and most important step is to rule out a medical issue discussed above, such as a UTI or upset tummy. If these reasons are not causing your dog to want out every 5 minutes, then it's time to assess the situation accordingly.

Try a Distraction  

If you feel the reason for your dog’s frequent desire to go outside is due to hearing a cat or other animal, such as another dog, try a distraction, such as turning on the TV, playing music, or playing white noise. In addition to playing sounds, close the curtain or blinds so your dog cannot see them.

Exercise Your Dog

As we have discussed, dogs require both physical and mental stimulation to keep from getting bored, which could be the reason for your dog’s constant desire to be outside. Grab your dog’s favorite toy and start up a game of fetch (weather permitting). If it’s raining, too cold, or too hot, play a game indoors—mental stimulation games and puzzles are excellent for this purpose and will tire your dog out.

Final Thoughts

Dogs are curious by nature and will need to investigate the world around them. Being outside stimulates tons of senses for dogs, and this could be the reason for your dog wanting outside every 5 minutes. Remember to rule out a medical issue first, and if no medical problem is present, exercise your dog to tire them out, both mentally and physically. You can also block your dog’s view of critters and other animals by closing the curtains or blinds.

Featured Image Credit: Nina Buday, Shutterstock