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When you come home from a long, tiring day at work, there’s nothing better than being greeted at the door with a wag of tail and a drool-worthy kiss. The love radiating from your excited pup can take the stress out of your day, but one thing can ruin the moment; a dog who pees when excited. A puddle of dog pee can get in the way of any special moments shared with your pup, so how do you end this inconvenient behavior?
We want to help you better understand why your dog pees when excited, so let’s break down some of the most common reasons for this behavior below. We’ll also discuss some of our favorite tips for ending obedient urination in dogs, so you can enjoy these exciting moments without the threat of stepping on a pile of pee.
let’s start!
Is Excited Urination Common in Dogs?
Before we get into the specifics of this bad canine behavior, it’s important to understand how common it is. Many dogs around the world have trouble controlling their bladder when excited, so you’re not alone in dealing with this frustrating behavior.So common that the act itself has a title, often referred to as Obedient urination.
Although submissive voiding occurs in all breeds of dogs, it is most common in puppies under 1 year of age. This may be because puppies lack self-confidence than older dogs, making it harder for them to get excited or nervous. manage. Most dogs shed this behavior as they get older, but if the adult dog is still struggling to feel safe in his own skin, the behavior may persist as he ages.
Why does my dog pee so much when excited?
We know how frustrating it can be if your dog pees every time he’s excited or overwhelmed, so it’s time to get to the root of this inconvenient behavior! Let’s dig into some of the most common reasons why dogs urinate submissively below, and then we’ll discuss some of the most effective ways to end the behavior.
they lack confidence
As we mentioned above, peeing excitedly is most common in puppies. This is usually because they are not very safe in their own skin, and they may not have gained confidence through socialization and training. Obedient urination is just one of a variety of undesirable behaviors that can occur in puppies who lack self-confidence.
If your puppy pees every time they are excited or overwhelmed, cowers or appears frightened in new situations, barks at strangers, barks in unfamiliar environments, and often falls into a submissive posture, they may be struggling with Struggling with lack of self-confidence.
they are obeying
If your dog is a bit shy and anxious, they are likely to pee when excited due to their submissive nature. This could be because dogs are naturally timid, but it could also mean they haven’t been properly socialized and trained. Dogs who pee out of obedience may also roll over and show their bellies, curl their tails, wince at new people and animals, and even purr in greeting.
Submissive urination in dogs can also occur when dogs are not properly trained, especially if they are negatively reinforced by peeing when excited or by jumping on people when excited. This is common among rescue dogs because you never know the type of punishment or training structure the dog received in a previous home.
they are excited
If your dog only pees when you walk in the door, meet a new friend, or meet a new dog, your pup may have trouble containing their excitement. Some dogs simply have no bladder control when experiencing overwhelming excitement, which can cause them to pee puddles during happy moments. Thankfully for most furry friends and their frustrated pet parents, most puppies outgrow this condition as they grow older and learn how to control their bladder.
they are afraid of something
Does your dog seem to urinate obediently only when stressed or frightened? If so, they may just be struggling to hold their bladder when they’re scared. These dogs may pee every time they walk into the vet’s office, indoors when there is a lot of noise outside, and any other stressful moment. In these situations, many dogs need to be desensitized to the situation they are afraid of and their confidence boosted through socialization and obedience training.
They are struggling with separation anxiety
If your canine companion struggles with separation anxiety, they’re probably quite excited every time you come home. Sometimes these feelings are so overwhelming to a detached dog that they will pee when they greet you, creating a bad habit every time you walk in the door.
If your dog does suffer from separation anxiety, there may be other signs besides submissive urination. A dog with separation anxiety may bark or howl when left alone, they may pace and pant when you leave the room, they may resort to destructive behavior, and they Accidents can happen around your house. In these cases, the best way to address submissive voiding is to address separation anxiety itself.
they have urinary disorders
If your dog normally has bladder control but suddenly starts urinating every time he gets excited or nervous, it could indicate an underlying urinary disorder. Urinary disorders can make it difficult for dogs to hold back urine when their bladders are full, increasing the risk of accidents in your home. These puppies may also have an increased urge to pee, which can also cause your dog to pee at inappropriate times. This is common in dogs with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
A dog with an underlying urological disorder may also squat or urinate constantly outside, small amounts of urination at a time, pain when urinating, changes in urine color, foul-smelling urine, or even blood in the urine. If you notice any of these symptoms in your canine companion, then we recommend having it checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
they have an underlying medical condition
There is a range of medical conditions in dogs that can cause increased urination. These medical complications can cause the dog to pee more frequently, often leading to accidents and behavior changes in your home. Sometimes, when these puppies become overexcited or overwhelmed, they will pee because it is difficult to control a full bladder.
Thankfully, for any concerned pet parent, many of these medical conditions lead to other noticeable symptoms that you can look out for. Dogs with an underlying disorder may experience increased thirst, changes in appetite, lethargy, gastrointestinal distress, changes in coat appearance, weight loss, and any other change in normal behavior. If you think your dog’s behavior has changed beyond peeing when excited, then we recommend having your veterinarian evaluate them to see if it’s safe.
How to stop a dog from urinating obediently
Now that you know why your dog pees every time he gets excited, it’s time to discuss some of our favorite tips on how to get rid of your dog’s submissive urination once and for all!
rule out any medical cause
Before you begin training and socializing a submissive dog, you should first rule out any underlying medical causes. If health complications are the cause of your dog’s accident, no amount of training can correct it. This is especially important if your dog, who has never had accidents before, suddenly starts peeing when excited, as this sudden change in behavior could indicate a urological or other medical complication that needs to be addressed.
help them gain confidence
Submissive urination often indicates a lack of confidence in the dog, which is why it is so common among young canine friends. These pups need some help to feel safe in their own skin, which can often be achieved through obedience training and socialization. Some of the most effective ways to increase your dog’s confidence are through ongoing obedience training (basic commands), introducing them to new environments, taking them around new people, slowly introducing them to other dogs, and Expose them to any other situation they struggle with. When doing this gradually and safely, your dog can slowly build their confidence.
Know what usually triggers them and desensitize
Does your dog seem to have a specific trigger that causes them to urinate in your home? If so, then it’s time to desensitize this trigger for your canine friend. For example, if your dog only pees when the new person bends over to say hello to your dog, then we recommend keeping the new person calm around your puppy and avoiding immediate interaction with them. Once your dog is used to the new person and calmed down, the new person can pet them peacefully. By identifying your dog’s triggers, you can develop an action plan on how to address the problem.
don’t punish them
No matter how frustrated you are with your dog’s submissive urination, it’s important to avoid negative punishment of any kind. Yelling at your dog will only make it harder for them to control their bladder, as it will only lower their confidence and increase their fear levels. Submissive urination is often based on fear or insecurity in the skin surrounding them, so negative punishment will only make it worse. We know this can be a frustrating process, but providing your dog with patience and support is the best way to address this behavior.
final thoughts
Dogs who pee every time they get excited often struggle with a lack of self-confidence. Most puppies shed this behavior as adults, or as their pet parents implement training and socialization. Be sure to check out the tips for eliminating obedient urination we discussed above, and your pup will be excited and pee-free in no time!
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