SUBMISSIVE URINATION
One of the first behaviors I noticed in Ebby was her inclination to urinate a little when I came home from work. She was excited to see me, but she was also still anxious. She rarely does it now as she has become much more acclimated-although I have not tried again to put an all-weather jacket on her. (I lay in bed thinking of the ways this can be safely accomplished.) If it rains or snows today, I may be forced to try. She still has her Gold Series Fleece on, and I don’t want that to get wet, yet I am afraid to take it off. I have left a message for a dog behaviorist given to me by a customer dealing with such problems (there are many more challenged rescue owners than I realized.)
Submissive urination is normal in dogs who need to show a certain submissiveness. Some dogs will roll over, exposing their most vulnerable side, their stomach. 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, like Ebby, even though she just turned six. Most puppies will outgrow this over time. There are ways to train a dog to stop this whether a stranger approaches, when they know they are in trouble, or if you are chastising them for some reason, or because of sudden loud 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.
There is also the possibility that your dog may be suffering from a medical condition which should be acknowledged before 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 like 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. I may have to start putting diapers on Rosie. 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. I started to anticipate Ebby’s habit, by ignoring her when I first came in the door. I don’t respond with excitement, but calmly pet her and we move to the steps where I sit and let her kiss me until she is satisfied that she has 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.
