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Puppy 911 - How To Deal With Puppy Problems
Case 1: Submissive Urinating
You want to know what makes a veterinarian feel miserable? He looks at a dog, the dog looks at him, and then piddles. When that happens the dog probably has been frightened at the vet's or has really low self-esteem.
Dogs urinate when they are frightened but, more frequently, females in particular urinate as a sign of submission. Do not mistake this for a lapse in house training.
Submissive urination is a natural way a low-ranking dog appeases a high-ranking one. This is why urinating when excited is more a puppy than an adult problem. Most pups look upon us big humans as naturally high-rankers. If your pup piddles when he sees you, do not reprimand him or show anger. Do not even stroke his head or reach down and touch him. These are the actions of high-rankers. Instead, ignore him and walk away, either to an area where there is newspaper on plastic sheeting, or out the back door where he can relieve himself.
Most pups outgrow submissive urinating as they mature and build confidence. Curiously, these pups are the easiest to obedience train because they concentrate so intently on you, but it is absolutely imperative to avoid scolding or anger during training.
If your dog urinates submissively, keep plastic sheeting and an absorbent towel inside the front door, so you are prepared for mishaps during the training time necessary to bolster your dog's self confidence.
Source: "KISS - Guide To Living With A Dog"
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