| House Training 3 |
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| Submissive Urination The Puppy urinates all over when I'm greeting her. I yell at her and she pees more! Why does she DO that?" What you dog is doing is called submissive urination. It is NOT a housebreaking problem. She is telling you that she recognizes that you are the leader. When you yell at her, she pees more to say "Yes, I KNOW that you are alpha!" Usually submissive urination resolved by 2 years of age, It's not great but it's really nothing to get in a twist over. |
Things you can do to deter submissive urination: 1. DO NOT bend over the top of the dog, especially when greeting. That is a dominant position. 2. For some reason, sweet, happy talk makes dogs urinate - so happy greetings with a lot of conversation should be avoided. 3. DO NOT pet your dog to greet her - the best thing to do when greeting a submissive urinator is to fold your arms across your chest, turn and ignore, but encourage your dog to go outside right away. Praise when she urinates outside, and then you should be able to greet. 4. When visitors come over, have them greet your dog (on leash) outside on the porch or grass to avoid messes in the house. 5. DO NOT yell at your dog for being "bad" - this isn't being "bad" at all! It is actually dog language affirming your leadership. Spitefulness? "When I leave the house, my dog frequently leaves me "presents" of stool and/or urine. I know he hates me to leave, and I'm sure he's doing it out of spite." Dogs by nature are not spiteful animals. That is too much of a human emotion and too much reasoning: "If she leaves, then I'm going to poop on the floor because I know she HATES that! That'll teach her to leave me here alone!" Usually, if there is an "accident" when the owner is gone these are usually the real reasons. I forgot to do my business outside I'm really not reliably potty trained and I don't completely understand the concept. I waited by the door to go outside but I couldn't get out and I just couldn't wait any longer! You left me all alone in this house! This is a BIG job, and we usually watch over the house together as a pack. This is too stressful for me. I'm so stressed I have to poop! I have too much freedom - and too soon - without supervision. If you come home to "accidents", you need to consider these steps: 1. Backtrack on potty training - no matter what your dog's age 2. Reduce the space of freedom - either with a crate, baby gates or a room. 3. Back to outside supervised potty breaks - with leash on so praise can be used at the right time. 4. Make sure there is no physical cause for the problem (intestinal parasites, urinary tract infection, etc.) Questions to ask yourself if you are having problems... Am I taking the dog out enough? Do I know every time he goes? Does he have too much freedom in the house? Am I watching him carefully when he is free in the house? Is there any physical reason (intestinal parasites, urinary tract infection, etc.)? Am I trying to move things along faster than this dog is able to learn - therefore skipping steps so the entire picture is unclear to my dog? Am I consistently praising for appropriate behavior so he gets the idea? |
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