Submissive peeing while training?

Question

Crux, is a very smart 5 mo. old AUS cattle dog. I know that submissive peeing can be a result of being a puppy but he seems to have trouble while we are asking him to do tricks. (He has the hang of basics) I understand that he may not know what we want so we don't get upset and give him positive tones to encourage him to continue trying but he still cowers. He's also getting into a habit of laying down and then peeing in that position during the training. He knows laying down is good (so we praise him) and he knows peeing inside is bad but he'll start to pee while we praise him for 'lay down.' I can't figure out how to discourage this combination. While giving him a calm command he acts submissive. Should I take this cue and stop training before he urinates or keep encouraging him until we're both frustrated and he's peed? I don't want him to associate peeing with 'getting out of learning' but I'm getting too scared to train him further for fear of making it worse.

LEC

We have NEVER physically harmed or yelled at the little guy.

Answer 1

Train for shorter periods, and never until he is stressed enough to pee..there is NO way he can consciously keep from the submissive peeing, so scolding will be CERTAIN to make it worse..
He needs his self esteem increased, so keep asking tasks that he knows, so he always leaves training sessions with a good feeling about himself..For a 5 month old, I only train for 5-7 minute segments, several time per day, to total about 20-25 minutes..Unless it is leash training (for conformation showing) which is ongoing for 20 minute walks..
He is a little young yet, for 'tricks' beyond the basic obedience..He will be doing well to just conquer those at his age..Professional Service dogs don't go beyond good basic obedience (and socialization!) until 14 months old.

Answer 2

You are doing wrong training. Submissive peeing can turn into fear or even aggression when he gets older. For example, don't go pet him on the head, unless he comes to you. Maybe stop training for now and start again when he is a little older. Consult a professional trainer. Always do positive training, no hitting or discouraging, or saying bad boy or anything, just reward him through play.

Answer 3

Poor dog.I hate to hear of dogs that act this way.He lacks confidence. He is a very sensitive dog who has been told off at some point for a few things & he just can't handle it. Because he didn't understand at the time what he had been scolded for, he now see's your talking to him & interacting with him as a threat. Your voice & body language has become a negative barrier in his ability to learn.You have to build that confidence in you back up before you can teach him anything. I would clicker train him instead. You don't have to talk at all to train him. The clicker will do the talking for you.It is based on positive reinforcement with no negative punishment. You need to learn alot more before you can teach him any tricks. You need to be a good teacher & you need to know how to communicate with a dog. See things from his point of view as a learner & not your point of view as the teacher.
You are asking too much of him when you are trying to teach him something. Moving on to fast before he has grasped the first bit. He has learned that you get annoyed when he can't get it right. He urinates because he doesn't understand you & knows you will end the lesson in a negative way. Learn the art of positive training & maybe you will have a happy,confident,clever dog instead of a nervous wreck.

Answer 4

It's just a stage he's going through. My step-father's lab/boxer mix did the same thing. Try limiting his water in-take about 30 minutes before training, and make sure he goes outside right before you start training. He should grow out of it. Magnus only peed on my step-father, and it was while they were either training, or when he got really excited. He grew out of it after him being about a year or so old. Don't fret just yet, especially if he just started doing it. He'll eventually stop, or get to the point where it's only a few drops and you won't notice it anymore.

Answer 5

Hi ,
Well why don't you read this guide , its awesome , it will help you train your dog by yourself , its a really professional training http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/?aff=basimdcs , Hope this helps you