Submissive urination :updated:
A customer was explaining recently that her dog was so excitable by new people and it was difficult to control her jumping up on them, and if she was corrected, she would then urinate, which is not what you want your dog to do in someone else’s home when you are allowed to bring your dog for a visit.
Submissive urination is normal in dogs who need to show a certain submissiveness. Some dogs will roll over, exposing their stomachs, their most vulnerable side, to a human or to another dog. Some will avert their eyes, cast their head downwards, or exit from the situation. Puppies, whether male or female, will exhibit some of these behaviors, especially if they are shy or anxious. Most puppies will outgrow this over time. There are ways to train a dog to stop this in the event of an approaching stranger, because they know they are in trouble if you are chastising them for some reason, or because of sudden loud scary noises. Ebby was terrified of the sound of plastic bottles, the opening of letters, or handling paper goods. Perhaps she was disciplined with spray bottles (which frighten her still) or newspaper spanking, although she has gotten much better (we will have had her two years in August.)
There is also the possibility that your dog may be suffering from a medical condition which should be acknowledged before initiating retraining programs. Causes of this kind of incontinence could be related to diet, like eating or drinking more than usual (like our old Shih Tzu, Rosie), a weakened bladder, or a urinary tract infection (UTI). We have products for these in the Homeopet line which includes UTI and Leaks No More. As well as other bladder over-the-counter supplements. If none of these remedies help, see your vet for appropriate testing. Most dogs who would normally be in control of their urination, are humiliated when they are not. So be gentle and patient.
If you adopt a dog that is three months or older and they do not exhibit proper communication for relieving their bladder or colon, they may never have learned the necessary clues, and as they are new to you, they are even more oblivious. You will need to train your dog and it will take real commitment. Because of their confusion, they may exhibit submissive urination. If a dog suffers from separation anxiety, their distress at your imminent departure can cause them to urinate, but it is not related to submissive urination in which they are attempting to show recognition that you are Alpha. This separation urination is simply from anxiety which can be helped with CBD oil and changing your departure habits to lessen the dog’s distress. Leaving a radio or TV on can help, too.
All of this is different from dog’s that are marking their territory and expressing their dominance. I had to use a belly band on Parker. I used the generic gel pads which absorb more urine and protect the band from frequent washings than just using a regular kind of female pad. Dogs that are about to submissively urinate will lower their bodies in a cowering way, flatten their ears, yawn and lick, raise their front paws. When we first adopted Ebby, I would anticipate her habit, by ignoring her when I first came in the door. I curtailed any excessive greeting, calmly petted her, moved to the steps where I’d sit and let her kiss me until she was satisfied that she had communicated her happiness. If your dog has not been to the bathroom in a while, quietly move yourself and your dog to the outside and after the pee you can be as demonstrative as you want to be.
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