Submissive & Excited Urination

Submissive and Excitement Urination

Submissive Urination
Submissive urination occurs when a dog feels threatened. It may occur when they are being punished or verbally scolded, or when they are approached by someone they perceive to be threatening. It’s important to remember that this response is based on the dog’s perception of a threat, not the person’s actual intention. Submissive urination may resolve as your dog gains confidence, but you can help build their confidence by teaching them commands and rewarding them for obeying. You should also gradually expose your dog to new people and new situations and try to make sure all of their new experiences are positive and happy.

Your dog may be submissively urinating if:

• Urination occurs when they are being scolded.
• Urination occurs when they are being greeted.
• Urination occurs when someone approaches them.
• Your dog is somewhat shy, anxious or timid.
• He/she has a history of rough treatment or punishment after the fact.
• The urination is accompanied by submissive postures, such as crouching or rolling over to expose their belly.

What to do if your dog has a submissive urination problem:

• Take your dog to the vet to rule out medical reasons for the behavior.
• Keep greetings low key.
• Encourage and reward confident postures.
• Give him/her an alternative to behaving submissively. For example, if he/she knows a few commands, have them “sit” or “shake” as you approach, and reward them for obeying.
• Avoid approaching your dog with postures that they may read as dominant, for example:
  • Avoid direct eye contact. Look at his back or tail instead.
  • Get down on their level by bending at the knees rather than leaning over from the waist and ask others to approach the same way.
  • Pet him/her under the chin rather than on top of the head.
  • As you approach, present the side of your body to him/her, rather than your full front, and avert your gaze.
  • Don’t punish or scold your dog. This will only make the problem worse
• Until the problem resolves, you might want to protect your carpet by placing a plastic drop cloth or an absorbent material in the entryway where accidents are most likely to occur. Alternatively, you can purchase “doggie diapers” at your local pet supply store.

Excitement Urination
Excitement urination occurs most often during greetings and playtime and is not accompanied by submissive posturing. Excitement urination usually resolves on its own as a dog matures, as long as it isn’t made worse by punishment or inadvertent reinforcement.

Your dog may have an excitement urination problem if:

• Urination occurs when your dog is excited; for example, during greetings or during playtime.
• Your dog is less than 1 year old.

What to do if your dog has an excitement urination problem:

• Keep greetings low key.
• Don’t punish or scold your dog for urinating.
• To avoid accidents, play and greet outdoors until the problem is resolved.
• Take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out medical reasons for the behavior.
• Until the problem resolves, you might want to protect your carpet by placing a plastic drop cloth or an absorbent material in the entryway where accidents are most likely to occur. Alternatively, you can purchase “doggie diapers” at your local pet supply store.
• Ignore him until he/she is calm.