Neglected puppy urinates when it recieves attention?

Question

Okay I got a puppy from a family that locked it in the basement and neglected it. It was skinny but it wasn't in terrible condition or anything. It seems the only thing it was starved of is attention. It's a great dog, it's maybe 6 months to a year old. The only problem is that when I call her over and go to pet her, she cowers down and urinates, wether she's inside or out. I've been taking her outside and trying to teach her not to pee when she recives attention, I'd walk towards her and reach out to her and if she squats down I ignore her and dont pet her, and if she stands there and doesnt assume the bathroom position then I pet her and praise her. I also call her to me and do the same. That's all I can think to do for now until I can get her to the vet. I'm only 17 so I gotta get my paycheck from my uncle before I can take her to the vet but I'm thinking she might have an overactive bladder or something. Any suggestions?

Oh ya, now that I read the excitable and submisive urination thing. She sometimes does it when I just talk to her and she gets excited. Her name is milah by the way. But I will look up submisive and excitable urination right now, thanks everyone.

Wow I didnt know about the petting them on the top of the head thing. I just went down to my room and she was at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me and when I got down there and sat down at the bottom of the stairs she got down on her stomach and crawled towards me and still urinated... I don't know how to tell her that's bad though. I can't just say no or stop because I'm sure she wouldn't know I was talking about her peeing, plus I think she would pee more because I wasn't using a happy voice. When I get to her level and wait for her to come to me she has no problem doing that, but she still urinates so I was just thinking I was taking the next step by aproaching her. I think I'll wait till she stops urinating when I let her come to me before I try aproaching her though, thanks for all the help though, I greatly appreciate it.

Ya it's pretty hard to ignore because she jumps up on my bed all the time and I let her sleep with me because I dont wanna put her on the floor and call her a bad dog and intimidate her even more so I guess I'm just gonna be washing me sheets everynight and buying a new bed after I help her over her problem.

Okay I've got another question. If anyone reads this please repost this in your answer so everyone else can see it, I've added a lot of details. When I sit down, she has no problem approaching me, and when I was aproaching her, she was always aproaching me back so I really dont think she is afraid of me, she just gets really excited that I'm giving her attention. Anyways, my question is, when I'm sitting with her and scratching her chin and she rolls over can I rub her belly, I know she likes it. But if it's part of this domination thing that's going to hurt my progress so far then I don't wanna do it.

Answer 1

thoven1190 is right. I would assume because she was neglected, it is submissive urination. Here's some advice I found on the topic...


*Most importantly, remember that you are dealing
with a very sensitive companion that is very
receptive to the way you treat them.

*Because you are dealing with a dog that for
whatever reason feels submissive, scolding and
punishment do NOT work. They only make the dog
feel more powerless and less in control.

*Always encourage and PRAISE the dog for what it
does right. This helps to build self confidence
and cements the bond between you and your pet.

*Do not hover over the dog when greeting it.
This is a dominant position and will be interpreted as
so. Crouch down and let the dog approach you.

*Limiting your dog's intake of water can help it
gain control. If you know guests are coming over,
take the water away for a interval before their
arrival. (You should not limit your dog's access to
water for any extended period of time.)

*If your dog urinates out of excitement when you
return home and greet it, or if unfamiliars greet
it, try to downplay the greeting by staying calm
and saying hello or even ignoring it for the first
few minutes until it calms down. Ask your friends
to do this as well.

*If your pooch urinates in response to loud, angry
scolding, instead of yelling at them when they do
something wrong, try to deal with their inappropriate
behavior in firm and constructive manner. A firm NO
given consistently at wrongdoings will often suffice.

Answer 2

No this is not an overactive bladder this would be nerves and over stimulation of emotions. This actually is common for dogs, and even cats that have been neglected.
The attention is so strange that it doesn't know how to act or interact with others. It is almost intimidating and scary. The more positive interaction that she has with you then you will start to notice this changing. Something that will help is instead of bending down to her, get on her level. Sit on the ground so that you are eye level and not towering over. Also another thing that will help is that instead of always approaching her take the time to sit and allow her to approach you. Once she learns that she can approach you and does so this will build her confidence in herself and in you as a human. Animals that have not had positive or no interaction with people perceive the craziest things as scary or dominating. Like bending over instead of getting all the way down.
Good luck!

Answer 3

It could possibly be a medical problem, but in this situation, it just seems like fear more than anything. It sounds like you're being very patient with her and that's really great of you. When you call her over and pet her, do you tend to stand up and reach down to pet her? If so, stop doing that and crouch down to her level so that you're less threatening. Also, you can try calling her over to you and sitting down on the ground so that you're at the same level and she won't fear you as much. With a timid dog, especially a puppy, it's important to start teaching that people aren't going to hurt them again. With a little tlc I'm sure she'll see that you're not going to hurt her. Just be sure you're patient and never get frustrated with her. Neglect sounds like all she's ever known so being loved is a new thing and it scares her. It's unfortunate she had to live her early life like that, but now she has a second chance to trust people again because of you. Thank you for taking her from that horrible situation.

Answer 4

You can call her to you, but a lot of insecure dogs do not want people to approach them. In the dog world the submissive animal approaches the dominant dog. Let her approach you most of the time. You can go sit near her, but do not reach to her (this will frighten her and she knows she is submissive...thereby she pees). Let her get used to you. Do not make any sudden motions around her. By the sounds she not only has not been socialized, but also may have been abused and grabbed at by people. What you should do is keep a special dog food treat she likes with you at all times and when she comes to you give her that...then gently pet her chin and underside of her neck with the hand that gave the food. If you have to approach her and touch her do so with treats.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It's called submissive urination and it is because of her former neglcet. She's scared of you even if your doing nothing wrong and unrinates when you pay attention to her to show you that she is on the bottom and fearfully excepts you as boss. What your doing for now is good but I'd reasearch submissive urination in dogs on google and check out books from your local library for more training tips. This is'nt a problem for your vet so save your money for an animal behavoirist if the problem does'nt let up. It's not medical it's emotional.
Hope I could help!

Answer 6

Yes he's feeling neglected and showing you by barking. Remember, affection and playing should always be on YOUR terms not your dogs. If you choose not to play at that time then ignore your puppy, he has to realize that you will give affection when you want to give affection not when he's demanding it. If you give in to his demands not only have you made him pack leader but you will also spoil him. If he barks remove him from the room put him in a room like the kitchen and block it off so he doesn't get into trouble while your attention is on your older dog I wouldn't recommend the crate because it should never be used as punishment and that's how he'll view it. Do try to play with both dogs at the same time once in a while to help you all bond, when teaching tricks to my Weim I have to include my sisters lab also so she doesn't feel left out. But only play with your puppy or give him attention after he has ceased barking and when he's quiet. Then he'll learn that he has to be quiet to get attention, giving it to him while or after he's been barking will make him bark all the time because you've taught him that barking gets him what he wants. Good luck with your new pup.

Answer 7

We have the same problem with our dachshund. He cant jump on furniture so sometimes he trys to jump on the couch which like is saying 'pick me up' bc he likes to be held and a lot of times he gets scared and goes to the bathroom. I think the way dogs are treated before they get a new owner, is how they stay that way for they're whole lifes. Because we been trying to train our dachshund to stop going to the bathroom when we want to pet him or something but he just cant. So yea, im sorry i really couldnt help, but what you have to do is just leave the dog alone when he/she crouches down so they dont go to the bathroom.

I hope this helps :)

[(*~Gina~*)]

Answer 8

There is a simple fix for this- do not approach her. This type of fear needs to be solved by her coming to you. Confine her to a room that you're in at all times, but do not reach for her, walk towards her, etc. You can talk to her and encourage her to come over with food and treats, but don't force it. When she comes to you, don't grab at her or pick her up, just let her sniff your hand, and gently scratch under her chin- NEVER pet over top of a dog's head, it's very dominating and can cause fear and aggression. Pet from underneath or the sides only. Scratching the chin, neck, and ears is a good start.

I don't think it's anything medical, I think if you just slow things down and let her start coming to you, she'll get over her fears soon enough. Don't forget that the first few months of a dog's life are when they form a lot of their personality, so it's going to take months or years to get her over this hurdle. Patience is the key.

REPOST: Her rolling over for belly rubs will not hurt your progress at all- the dog is SUPPOSED to want to be submissive to you, and you are supposed to be alpha- you just don't want her so scared she pees all the time. Showing belly for a rub is a natural reaction to any dog that's comfortable in its environment, if she enjoys belly rubs then there's no harm done in giving them to her.

Answer 9

your doing the right thing, i wouldn't take her lto the vet, i'd call him instead. I think she is doing this as a sign of submission, and she is scared probably. She was abused in addition to being neglected, i can almost guarentee it. It should go away with time, and just keep up what your doing. Call the vet and ask for advice, but it doesn't seem like something the vet would be able to do anything about.

Answer 10

This sounds like submissive urination. That's when you get near the dog and they pee. It's important to not punish her for it, cause it will scare her more and make her do it more. Instead, ignore it and try to do stuff to build her confidence, like an obedience class. Just keep showing her you're not going to hurt her. I think what you're doing right now is a good idea. She will outgrow this, especially when she gains more confidence.