Six is almost 4 months now and is doing so so on the house breaking. She doesn't have BM's in the house but she is urinating all over. Even after going out to potty. She has started urinating when I call her over to me and reach down to pet her and the past few nights she has jumped on the bed and urinated on the bed right where she lands. It is really wearing on me. I don't know what to do. I take her out and praise praise every 30 minutes or so and when I catch her in the act I tell her ACK really loud and take her outside all while telling her to potty outside. The submissive urination is driving me mad. My husband is a 6ft tall man who has a really deep voice and that alone makes her wee herself. Not all the time but more often than not. Any advice? GREATLY APPRECIATED:yikes:
Urinating Problem..please help
- Thread starter Sixers
- Start date
It sounds like it's not a housebreaking issue, but a submissive peeing issue. Oh wait, you already said that, I just missed it. There's not a whole lot you can do, except hope it's a stage she grows out of and do some confidence building exercises with her.
Also, see if you can't get your hubby to talk in a higher voice around her if possible.
Others might have more ideas though.
Also, see if you can't get your hubby to talk in a higher voice around her if possible.
Others might have more ideas though.
Stop yelling "ACK" really loudly and tell your husband to lower his volume a little. Don't use punishment for anything and use more motivation and reward for everything. Keep your praise low key, soft, sweet. Instead of reaching out to pet her, wait for her to come to you on her own, at least some of the time. Try not to be too exciteable, especially when you first see her after an absense, even from one room to another. I don't mean that you're necessarily exciteable....just thought I'd throw that out. Also, after an absence, try not to pay a whole lot of attention to her for a moment. Avoid direct eye contact for now, until she gets more established, keep your body a little sideways to her rather than head on for the most part. Just put her a little bit at ease that way...it's a little less confrontational to a dog.
Obedience practice and a puppy class with a positive method trainer would help build her confidence and that is what she needs. It will help her grow out of it.
I would also, just in case, check with a vet and make sure this frequent urination isn't due to a UTI.
She is young and a little maturity with proper handling should help. It's usually not something wrong with the dog, but variations in handling techniques to match the individual dog are something that needs to be taken into consideration. If she's a particularily sensative dog, adjustments need to be made...not that you're over catering to her or coddling or she'll never get use to anything, but also not that she is over whelmed. When she is acting submissive or peenig like that, don't react or pay attention to her. Just act normal and confident yourself. When she is having a less submissive moment, that's when you give her attention. Let us know how she does. I really recommend a small puppy class which is given by a reputable, gentle trainer. If she's too upset in a class situation, you might want to hold off until she's had some more gradual exposure to other dogs and people. What kind of socializing have you done with her up to this point?
Obedience practice and a puppy class with a positive method trainer would help build her confidence and that is what she needs. It will help her grow out of it.
I would also, just in case, check with a vet and make sure this frequent urination isn't due to a UTI.
She is young and a little maturity with proper handling should help. It's usually not something wrong with the dog, but variations in handling techniques to match the individual dog are something that needs to be taken into consideration. If she's a particularily sensative dog, adjustments need to be made...not that you're over catering to her or coddling or she'll never get use to anything, but also not that she is over whelmed. When she is acting submissive or peenig like that, don't react or pay attention to her. Just act normal and confident yourself. When she is having a less submissive moment, that's when you give her attention. Let us know how she does. I really recommend a small puppy class which is given by a reputable, gentle trainer. If she's too upset in a class situation, you might want to hold off until she's had some more gradual exposure to other dogs and people. What kind of socializing have you done with her up to this point?
Great advice! Thanks. As far as socialization, I walk her in the evening with a girlfriend of mine who owns a whippet and a small terrier mix. She sees them everyday minus Sundays. We usual see several others in the evening as well and her social skills are great with other dogs. She loves to sniff butt 
Maybe my tone is too harsh like you say because I do get brass with her when I catcher her peeing. I will try the techniques you offered and will definitely talk to my hubby about using that baby voice I know he has. LOL Puppy classes were already scheduled with my Vet who also specializes in OB! I will keep you all posted. I love her to pieces and am very determined
ETA: No UTI, that was the first think I checked when this all started.
Maybe my tone is too harsh like you say because I do get brass with her when I catcher her peeing. I will try the techniques you offered and will definitely talk to my hubby about using that baby voice I know he has. LOL Puppy classes were already scheduled with my Vet who also specializes in OB! I will keep you all posted. I love her to pieces and am very determinedETA: No UTI, that was the first think I checked when this all started.
Yes, I have been working on this problem too. I have an extrememly high strung 7 month old Collie. At first, he peed whenever my husband even LOOKED his way, so my husband had to completely ignore him for awhile. Now, we must remain VERY calm around Colt especially when we first come in after being out for awhile. We do not greet him until we have attached his leash and taken him outside to pee - I mean we don't talk or look at him just grab the leash and go. Even first thing in the morning I do not talk to him until we have made a potty trip, and he remains calm too. It is amazing how much dogs feed off of our energy and tone (just like kids!!).
When he was about 4 months old I got very sick and was confined to my bed for several days. Colt is not allowed on the second floor of our home (or to roam) so I did not see him. One night, my husband brought him up to see me to try and cheer me up. He went to put him on the bed with me and before I could even say "did you take him out first?" Colt peed all over the bed because he was sooooo excited to see me. Same with company, I have to tell everybody to ignore him when they first come in and if it is somebody I KNOW will not listen to my instructions, I crate Colt to avoid an accident until he is calm. I ALWAYS take him out before company comes.
I have to say he is completely housetrained, he NEVER goes in the house. This is submissive urination and pretty common with pups from what I have read and heard. Colt is MUCH better but it takes time and patience just like everything else. I hope this has been helpful and I think Colt is much better. I'm not sure he is cured because I do not take the opportunity to not do these things in order to find out. I would rather avoid the mess.
When he was about 4 months old I got very sick and was confined to my bed for several days. Colt is not allowed on the second floor of our home (or to roam) so I did not see him. One night, my husband brought him up to see me to try and cheer me up. He went to put him on the bed with me and before I could even say "did you take him out first?" Colt peed all over the bed because he was sooooo excited to see me. Same with company, I have to tell everybody to ignore him when they first come in and if it is somebody I KNOW will not listen to my instructions, I crate Colt to avoid an accident until he is calm. I ALWAYS take him out before company comes.
I have to say he is completely housetrained, he NEVER goes in the house. This is submissive urination and pretty common with pups from what I have read and heard. Colt is MUCH better but it takes time and patience just like everything else. I hope this has been helpful and I think Colt is much better. I'm not sure he is cured because I do not take the opportunity to not do these things in order to find out. I would rather avoid the mess.