Currmudgeon
Gold Member
You have a submissive pee-er. This may or may not indicate that the dog has been abused. Many dogs do this naturally, as it is a way dogs indicate their inferior status in the pack. You're the top dog, and she's acknowledging that. The hardest, stubbornest, most ornery ***** I had (I love her) was a submissive pee-er as a pup. She grew out of it. Many do.
Initially, the thing to do is nothing. She is doing it to please you and show you she's a good little dog in your pack. Any kind of notice will tend to make her pee more, to show you how good she is. Punishment will make it worse.
When you come home, ignore the dog. Let her come to you. It's nicer if you can do this where the pee won't make a mess. But allowing the dog to come to you is more corrrect pack protocol. The lower dogs suck up to the top dog. When the top dog comes to you, you're probably in trouble, so you make submissive gestures - like peeing. And minimize the effusive cuddling and petting if she pees at those times. Let there be a greeting ritual. Dogs are comfortable with ritual.
Confidence building activities always help; anything that the dog can succeed at and earn praise. I always preach obedience. Formal obedience training is darn near a panacea. There is almost no down side to obedience. But agility, ball playing, tug, anything that will build the bond and build the dog's self confidence.
The way youi describe playing with the dog and hanging out with her will probably help. She's learning that you are not to be feared.
And patience. You'll want to murder the dog a thousand times before she outgrows this.
Initially, the thing to do is nothing. She is doing it to please you and show you she's a good little dog in your pack. Any kind of notice will tend to make her pee more, to show you how good she is. Punishment will make it worse.
When you come home, ignore the dog. Let her come to you. It's nicer if you can do this where the pee won't make a mess. But allowing the dog to come to you is more corrrect pack protocol. The lower dogs suck up to the top dog. When the top dog comes to you, you're probably in trouble, so you make submissive gestures - like peeing. And minimize the effusive cuddling and petting if she pees at those times. Let there be a greeting ritual. Dogs are comfortable with ritual.
Confidence building activities always help; anything that the dog can succeed at and earn praise. I always preach obedience. Formal obedience training is darn near a panacea. There is almost no down side to obedience. But agility, ball playing, tug, anything that will build the bond and build the dog's self confidence.
The way youi describe playing with the dog and hanging out with her will probably help. She's learning that you are not to be feared.
And patience. You'll want to murder the dog a thousand times before she outgrows this.
