Introduction
Submissive urination is called ‘submissive’ urination because it is a behavior that a dog uses to express that they are submissive to the situation at hand. This type of behavior can have many different causes, and it is a type of behavior that needs to be treated with extreme kindness and sensitivity.
Causes of Submissive Urination
Submissive urination is in most cases caused by over excitement and sensitive emotions. Many dogs, and especially puppies, engage in submissive urination if they are in a very excitable situation. For example, their owners are having a loud argument, a favorite person has come home after being gone for awhile, or a lot of guests come to the dog’s home. In these situations submissive urination is often normal, and does not occur on a regular basis. Other dogs are just very sensitive emotionally; these dogs can become over stimulated by even the smallest amount of excitement like an owner coming home from work.
Some dogs begin to submissively urinate because their owners are engaging in dominant behaviors. This is the dog’s way of saying “you’re the boss, and you don’t need to worry about me.” Of course many owners may not realize that they are being dominant and causing this behavior. Dominant behavior that could cause your dog to submissively urinate includes: bending over your dog instead of kneeling in front of your dog, scolding in a loud or threatening voice, and using negative reinforcement.
Sadly some dogs develop submissive urination because they experienced abuse in their past. These dogs will need extra care, affection, and gentleness. Once you have gained their trust and they feel safe with you, the behavior will stop. In rare cases dogs submissively urinate due to a neurological problem. If your dog is submissively urinating, and you cannot figure out what may be causing the problem, an appointment with your veterinarian is needed.