Submissive urination can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem. Fortunately, it is often easily corrected. Shy, timid puppies are the most likely candidates for submissive urination but occasionally it persists into young adulthood. This problem is most common in female puppies under 1 year of age.
Situations that precipitate submissive urination include:
Over affectionate greetings
Guests entering your home
Arguments between people
Scolding
Loud noises
Dogs are social animals that use subtle cues to maintain order and prevent disputes. In order to display deference to a more dominant individual, a submissive dog uses gestures such as averting her eyes, rolling on her back, and urinating. So when a dog feels intimidated or threatened, the appropriate response is to offer a submissive signal. These signals demonstrate that the dog recognizes another individual's dominance. The urination that occurs is not a spiteful act but a natural part of a dog's behavioral repertoire.
Situations that precipitate submissive urination include:
Dogs are social animals that use subtle cues to maintain order and prevent disputes. In order to display deference to a more dominant individual, a submissive dog uses gestures such as averting her eyes, rolling on her back, and urinating. So when a dog feels intimidated or threatened, the appropriate response is to offer a submissive signal. These signals demonstrate that the dog recognizes another individual's dominance. The urination that occurs is not a spiteful act but a natural part of a dog's behavioral repertoire.
