Submissive urination in dogs?

Question

I recently adopted a stray dog named Denali. She is wonderfu, sweet, and housebroken (yipee!). She does have a problem with submissive urination, though. She will urinate a small amount if I scare her (quite accidentely) by grabbing her collar, pulling her off the bed or couch, approaching her in I'm guessing as what she percieves as a dominant manner, or holding her snout (which is necessary because she has a puncture wound on her head that requires treatment). I haven't been correcting her, and just ignoring the submissive urination because I thought that if I ignored it, the behavior would ceace. It's been three weeks since we first adopted her, and the submissive urination is actually getting a bit worse (or maybe I'm just noticing it more). My question is: Is there anything I can do to help fix this?

Thanks!

Answer 1

the reason why she is doing this is that obviously she has been abused in the past you will have to do whatever you have to get done (medication for her boo-boo etc..) very gently once she sees that she is safe and sound with you and she will but 3 weeks hasnt been enough for her to trust you yet give her time and tender loving care and im sure she will be your best friend in no time and p.s. i love the name you chose....

Answer 2

The poor dog has probably been horribly abused and fears for her life. It will take a while to build trust so be patient! First, start feeding her all her meals BY HAND, one kibble at a time. Get on the floor with her, talk quiety, and feed her. Praise her to heaven for eating out of your hand! GOOD GIRL! You want her to associate positive input with your presence, your voice, and your HANDS. (Put her in doggy diapers for a while, just for your own sanity.)

Be sure that you move slowly around her, try to approach her from a low position, sideways, never staring directly at her. Always have super-delicious treats in your pocket, reward her every time she allows you to approach w/o peeing and tell her what a BRAVE GIRL she is! When you need to treat her wound, squat next to her side, pet her throat, and the back of her neck, talk low and soft, give treats. Try restraining her head w/o grabbing her snout.

Do everything possible to communicate in dog language that you are not a threat! Try faking a yawn, looking to the side, that sort of thing. Don't grab, pull her collar, etc - don't let her get on the couch or bed in the first place if you don't want her there - kennel her nearby or leash her in the room. Right now isn't the time to train her - it is the time to establish that you are GOOD, SAFE, and DESIREABLE company!! Try to minimize any situation where she would need correcting.

She sounds really stressed, but don't give up. Love, patience, gentleness will do wonders to heal her doggy soul. Join your local dog training club ASAP! You'll learn a ton from other people who are going through the same thing. I have rehabbed abused dogs. IT CAN BE DONE! Good luck!

Answer 3

Dogs are so wonderful. Give the poor dog some time, a lot of patience and lots and lots of tender loving care. I am guessing that before she had you in her life she was very badly treated. I bet she will come around and you'll find the best dog that you could have ever wanted. Good luck and don't forget to give her lots ands lots of love.

Answer 4

HI there my name is Kevin ........
I recently got an 18 mos pit .. She is beautiful but we also had a prob... Your dog is just scared about something or nerves are wrecked .... Try talking sweet and telling them that it is not right .. If that don't work ... Go to a Vet could be a batter infection .. Ya never know what they have gone through.... Love will make a diff be close. Remember about Children that will pee when scared ... Same we are all Mamels

Answer 5

Take her to an agility class to help build confidence, it does wonders for some submissive dogs.

Answer 6

my dog did this when i first got her. i just let her think she was in control, even though i was at the entire time.