My folks got a puppy about a year ago - a little Havanese guy.
Maybe 2.5 months ago, he developed a “squirting problem” - he pees when he gets excited. Mostly it just happens when new people (guests) are over, but he also pees nearly every time I play with him. We’re talking 85% of the time if not higher. If I ignore him he doesn’t pee, but when I pet him or play with him he lets it go. WTF?
He’s not a well trained dog by any means, so I got them that “Dog Whisperer” book (dumbest name ever, I have to say) that I’ve seen recommended here before. Anyone have tips on how to cure him of this little problem?
My mom used to have a weiner dog that did that. He was like a sprinkler, twirling and peeing every time he got excited. I don’t know what can be done, other than them out growing it.
Many dogs express excitement by peeing. What we find infuriating, dogs find flattering!
That said, you’ll find that dogs do not like loud, sudden noises - and I’ve had some success in getting dogs to stop such behavior by interrupting them quickly with a loud, sudden noise - which can be as simple as a ‘Hey!!’, or as complex as a soda can with some coins in it that makes a big, metallic sound when shaken.
Good luck - sounds like he needs some basic training, in addition -
I think that is a small dog thing - cant say I ever seen a large breed do it. Thank god Estee does not do that when she gets excited - she would be like a lawn sprinkler.
my parents dog did that until she was almost 2. she was born with anatomical urinary defect that was fixed when she was puppy. but every time the doorbell rang she would pee and if she got too excited playing. she grew out of it.
We have a weiner dog that does it, he has not out grown it but we do control it.
When someone new comes over we try to get them to ignore him and take the dog outside so he can go to the bathroom.
Also we give him a small treat to distract him as well.
It isn’t perfect…he just gets really excited around new people and wants them to like him.
I’ve tried that technique with girls but they don’t seem to like it
Andrew
I think that is a small dog thing - cant say I ever seen a large breed do it. Thank god Estee does not do that when she gets excited - she would be like a lawn sprinkler.
I used to have a female black lab that would do the exact same thing. Every she got excited she would run around and tinkle leaving a trail all over the place. She did that up until she was about 7 or 8 years old. Well behaved/trained dog, just got so worked up she let loose a little here and there. Wasn’t a full blown bladder emptying event though, thank god.
Years ago I had a golden that did this on rare occasions, but frequently with one particular friend. I think you are just the dog’s special friend and have that to look forward to.
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Basically the dog thinks you are the pack leader. It is actually a sign of submission in young dogs or “omega” pack mates. The dog is saying, in dog behavior, “oh I like you, I am so happy to see you, please don’t hurt me”. The other dogs would read it as a non-threating pack member.
Most dogs do grow out of it, mostly because they gain self confidence with maturity. You can help by NOT baby talking to the dog, don’t say “oh, its ok” in a condescending voice. The dog doesn’t understand English and all it hears is praise for being scared. Greet the dog with confidence, talk to him in a normal tone. Don’t get him excited at first either.
Of course he looks happy, greets you energeticaly. He’s trying to be your freind!
Make sure your parents don’t baby the dog and respect them as pack leaders too. Yes, this will help the problem.
So much for dog whispering today.
I second Support Crew’s post. It’s called submissive urination. Google it and you should find a lot of info on the topic to help you out (may want to type the word dog into the search as well so you don’t get some freaky web sites by “accident.”) Best of luck!
yup, my Lhasa does this occasionally, but only if you get him really riled up and baby talk him, he typically rolls on his side or back to do it (submitting).
on the other hand, i also have a Whippet who occasionally can’t seem to perfect the “angle of his dangle” correctly, and whizzes all over his front leg, even when outside! no worries though…he always licks it all off his legs before i have to bath him
I second Support Crew’s post. It’s called submissive urination. Google it and you should find a lot of info on the topic to help you out (may want to type the word dog into the search as well so you don’t get some freaky web sites by “accident.”) Best of luck!
-Brandon
Probably submissive, my Brittany growing up used to pee on my dad (not related, but still funny 15 years later). It’s his fault since that’s how he picked him out of the litter. I don’t think it’s necessarily always a submissive thing. And since I doubt it’s dominant/humorous marking like Skippy did to my pops, I’d say it’s more of a problem with the excitement of new people (and play).
My Weimaraner and Boxer are both of the excitable sort. Never got to a peeing problem (maybe once or twice), but they are jumpers, lickers and barkers. Very emotional and prone towards separation anxiety (larger problem upon leaving), I’ve had to alter the way in which I leave and return to the house, making it as matter-of-fact as possible. The worst thing for this is what most people who love dogs do… running up, high-pitched doggy-ease voice excitedly petting etc. It’s taken a lot of restrain on my part and others who visit, but its helping.
I’m still waiting for someone to suggest that you pee on him in return!
Already have 2 Jack’s and I fostered another JRT that used to do that, she was about 3+ year old! Family who had her never bothered doing anything. She wee’d everytime she got excited and whenever you would come near her to play.
Harsh but simple solution… you rub/push their noses in it with the old firm “no”. It’s the only way. Took about a week and after she was fine.
Some of our dachshunds have done this; some not. I usually ask people not to pet the dogs when they first arrive to give them a chance to calm down. I’ve heard that it’s more common in small dogs.
As for women, that leaking thing is often a side effect of childbirth. Kegels are the solution, but I don’t think it’s possible to teach a dog to do a Kegel:)
