What in Gods name is happy pee?

Question

We recently inherited a 4 year old peekineese who tends to piddle when hes excited , or scared, or happy. He was NOT trained in any way when we got him. The previous owner says it's just happy pee and theres nothing you can do about it. Is this just a matter of him needing to be trained when and where he's allowed to go? We've been working with him to go outside and he does go to the door if he needs to go out, but still has these little accidents, they are not puddles, just little drips. Help, I love this dog but I dont want to live in a house that reeks of pee.

This dog had NO training at all before we got him, He just went wherever he was, in the house or outside.

Answer 1

It's submissive urination.

You'll find that in dogs that are excitable or very submissive. The key to stopping it is actually to ignore it and to ignore the dog until he is calm. So for example, when you come home and the dog is going wild, completely ignore him until he has settled down.

Here are some links for you
http://www.perfectpaws.com/subr.html
http://www.dogdaysusa.com/behaviorcenter_urination.asp
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/submissive-uri.pdf
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/htsubm.htm

Good luck with this!

Answer 2

Oh, no, your pup doesn't need to be housebroken again. Some dogs get so excited that they dribble when they're all worked up. You might want to consider altering your behavior so your dog doesn't get so excited. For example, don't make a big deal out of someone coming to the door, or don't shower your dog with love and affection the second you come home.

It isn't true that there is nothing you can do about it. Talk to your vet; they'll have some suggestions. Sometimes, simple consistency are all it can take. My friend's dog used to pee in submission all the time. They coaxed her out of that by increasing her confidence. Submissive peeing is the opposite end of the spectrum, but they're similiar in that both forms of peeing are about emotions rather than housebreaking.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Sometimes when a dog gets scared, excited, or anxious....it loses control of it's bladder and may let out a couple of "squirts." You can't control it and you shouldn't punish the dog for it. You said it is only a couple of drops right, so how can your house reek of pee?

Answer 4

Some dogs, especially smaller ones, just do that. I have a friend with a Dachshund (wiener dog) that does that every time she sees me...even if she just went outside. Just try to limit the input that makes him do that. For instance if he pees when you start fighting/yelling don't do that. If he pees when certain people show up that he really likes put him outside to greet them. No training will cure the problem...just try to realize when it happens and control those situations.

Answer 5

My dog also pees when he gets excited, mostly whenever someone came over. I just started to always make sure I brought him out right before anyone came over or any other time I knew he would get excited about something.

Answer 6

It's submissive peeing (as in: Oh, my MASTERS are here! I bow and scrape to you, my lords...")

Then there's the urinary tract or bladder infections that cause dribbling the dog can't control. Rule any health issues out by having a vet give him an exam, and make sure you specifically address this problem.

If there is no physical impediment to his being house trained, start over as if you were beginning a puppy. The following is my handout to puppy class owners. It will work for your older dog, too. Also, teaching your new dog things (such as obedience, tricks, etc) with a reward/praise-based method will build his condifednece and help do away with the dribbles.

Feed meals on a regular schedule (dogs that eat all day, poop all day)
Be prepared to take the puppy outside to eliminate 10 – 20 minutes after eating, possibly sooner after drinking.
A puppy should have 1 cup (8 oz) water per 8# of body weight each day.
No water after 7 pm. An ice cube or two will quench pup’s thirst without the attendant need to urinate.

Take, don’t put, puppy outside on leash to your chosen spot, then drop the leash and stand on the handle (as in Settle) and ignore her. Keep her in sight out of the corner of your eye, and as soon as she eliminates, calmly praise and/or pop a small treat in her mouth.

Use a specific command such as “Hurry Up.”

As soon as puppy finishes, PLAY! At least 1-2 minutes, up to 5 (depending on the weather.)

Now bring puppy inside. Play a little more then put in her safe area/crate.
Clean up your yard daily. It’s like flushing your dog’s toilet for her.

If you catch pup eliminating inside, clap hands to startle & stop her, quickly but gently bring outside to her spot, then give her the ‘potty’ command.

Never punish accidents! When ya gotta go, ya gotta go!

Use an odor neutralizer - I recommend Nature’s Miracle - to eliminate the odor and any staining on carpet. For liquids, put paper towel over the spot, then cover towel with a plastic bag, then stand on it. The plastic bag prevents the liquid getting on your shoe/slipper and is right there to pick up the paper towel without soiling your hand. If you wish to use newspaper to absorb, put paper towel on spot before newspaper to prevent ink getting on floor or carpet. You can wipe tile or other hard floor surfaces (test a hidden area first) with the neutralizer just to be safe.

I understand this needs to be 'fixed' and I appreciate you taking this dog on and being willing to work with him. You're getting good Karma, as well as probably a really nice little dog :])

Answer 7

I have a dog that used to do this when she was scared - so I know that constant reassurance will help in this scenario. However, if your dog pees when excited, I don't know how to stop that - I might try asking an obedience school instructor, they would have a better answer for you.

Answer 8

This is normal for certain breeds of dogs. It just means they you mean a lot to them, you're one of their favorite people, and they enjoy being near you. They are happy to see you. Dachshunds will do this, as well as a few other breeds, but not totally sure which ones.

If this worries you, then you need to fix the situtation that the dog is on paper covered floor before you get near him, or pick him up.

Answer 9

there is such a thing. it is when a dog has a little trouble holding it in when they get excited for any reason. my puppy does it but he's getting better. i've only heard of puppies doing it but if they were never trained i'd say it's a training thing. if not that try asking your vet at the next appointment because maybe it is a bladder thing.

Answer 10

My dog did the same thing when he was a puppy, and know he does it only when we take him to the vet. And believe me he can really stink up a room. I don't know if it can be stopped, my other dog doesn't do it at all.