Why does my 3-yr old female Jack Russell Terrier start peeing when I put the leash on her to go outside?

Question

She was spayed a year ago, but the vet doesn't think there's any connection.

Answer 1

I think Maggie has it right. Perhaps another thing you can do is pick her up and walk outside with her, then attach the leash while she is in your arms.

It would be a different position, a different feeling, and perhaps, with all the differences, you would eventually be able to put the leash on her in a normal position (her sitting on the ground).

Another thing would be to put the leash on her but not go anywhere. Just let her drag it around the house until she realizes that it's just not that big of a deal.

Sounds to me that she's just so excited to go. If she doesn't have any UTI's or other problems, that's probably all it is.

Good luck.

Answer 2

There are several possibilities:
She could just have to go real bad, and the leash and the thought of going is just too much to bear. If this is the case you might try walking her more often or keeping to a more rigid schedule.
She could be having excitement urination
Or she could be having submissive urination
There is a nice discussion of those two at: http://www.perfectpaws.com/excur.html or
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1119&S=1&SourceID=60
From what I've seen of Jack Russells, I would say that submissive urination hardly seems likely ;-)
I would also have her thoroughly checked by the vet for a bladder infection or possible adhesions from her surgery. She might be urinating at other times that you haven't noticed because it has dried up

Answer 3

If you are leaning over her when you pu the leash on it is submisive peeing. It is a sign to you that you are the leader. Dogs do this in the wild to the alpha dogs to signal that they are smaller than the alpha, and are not chalenging their athority. Pups can't always control their bladers, so to act like a pup witch is smaller than the alpha submisive adult dogs will turn over on their backs to appear smaller and weak and will pee.
If your dog only pees when you are about to go for a walk, it can be a sign of stress. A dog that believes it is the protector of the pack will get quite stressed when they are leaving the "den" if they feel that they can not protect the pack members from the dangers of the outside world. Meaning that they are unprepared, and do not understand the outside world and feel that they can't do their duty as pack leader. You should read the article: "How to tell if your dog has a superiority complex, and what to do about it." at : http://www.thepetproject.com in pet tips.
Ifyour dog shows any of these traits you should follow the steps to eliminate the stress.

Answer 4

She is just excited to go for a walk plus she probably has to pee bad. Maybe take her outside first then put on the leash.

Answer 5

You've probably got her conditioned to know that once you put the leash on her, she's going outside to pee, and she's just missing the middle step. Maybe hold on to her collar to take her out, and then put the leash on outside, when you're already in her designated pee area.

Answer 6

Might just be a reaction--kinda like her body knows that leash means outside which means pee. A kind of Pavlov's dog reaction...but without the dogfood, or the bell.

Might be something like that--try to maybe hook the leash on when you get outside--that way, if she DOES pee at that, at least it's outside, and not on your flooring.

Answer 7

Don't you pee before you leave the house?hahha
She is probably really excited.
Try carrying her outside first then put the leash on her. You might want to hide the leash from her before you get her out the door.
I bet she is a cutey pie! ;o)

Answer 8

sounds like she's connecting urination with the leash and not with outside. She may drink too much water when you leave out of boredom, or anxiety, may need to restrict water. she may be inside too long and again anxiety or excitability kicks in at the door. also see this in submissive urination in this breed and sex, is she submissive, are you bending over her to put on the leash?

Answer 9

i think she is just excited to know she is going for a walk. Most dogs dribble pee when they are excited or afraid - maybe dont put the lead on till you are outside, then you dont have to clean up the mess in the house and just splosh some hot water on the outside stuff.

Answer 10

The connection may actually be the leash! She has learned it OK to pee when the leash on, so, if, she really need to go, she has the OK with the leash.