Quote: Anita Gokstorp

we yelled at her the first time it happened because it was right after i took her for a walk and when we got back my husband bent down and pet her and she squatted and i thought that she just did it to pee when she had just been outside but that was the only time ... when i look back at it i made a big mistake but we havent yelled again

This likely made it worse, but it's all fixable.

Consistent and calm.......

Did anyone mention not to give eye-contact? That's another trigger for submissive urination. I've got a strong personality, I'm almost 6 feet tall, I have a strong voice AND I train dogs. I've had to learn early how to prevent submissive urination!!

You got that Connie was saying that you should only do the "no" if it's an actual peeing thing and not submissive urination, right? I just wanted to make sure that was clear, otherwise it could get worse! I know she said that a lot, but I also know how easy it is to miss things in these threads!

From what you've told us I'm pretty convinced it's submissive urination. If you have found pee spots in the house that didn't have anything to do with you guys interacting with her, then maybe it's a problem with housetraining. But it really doesn't sound like it.

I had a dog that only did submissive urination for one person, and that person was a sweet little woman that the dog adored. So don't think (if you are) that submissive urination means that the dog thinks you're bad people. And she will grow out of it if you ignore her for awhile upon greeting. It's not forever!

PS- I also had a foster dog that wasn't allowed on the couch but would sneak up there. When we walked in the room, he would submissively urinate ON THE COUCH! We didn't even say anything to him, but he had an abusive past. Anyway, even he outgrew it (after 3 couches, but still ) so hang in there!!

 Quote: amber morgan

.... You got that Connie was saying that you should only do the "no" if it's an actual peeing thing

Actually, as graciously as you phrased that , I did misspeak. Kind of.

I actually do say "no" as I pick up the dog and take her outside, but this would not work unless the dog already understood the word "no" and I could therefore say it in a non-scary voice.

In the voice that I use to teach what "no" means -- you're right; that voice should not say "no" to submissive peeing.

So all in all, I think you are correct, and that saying nothing -- just taking the dog out to praise when she goes outside -- is best.

It's amazing how many words it takes to say what can be demonstrated in twelve seconds.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

It's amazing how many words it takes to say what can be demonstrated in twelve seconds.

I know! It's so frustrating to have access to all these amazing people only on the internet, where things can be misunderstood. I wish we could have actual meetings and see the dogs and training in action. Well, maybe someday! Who knows what this web board will be like in 10 years?

Regarding squatting. I have never seen a dog who just "peed" while standing up without squatting first.

My old dog became incontinent with age. She was housebroken but could not control herself without meds (and later, just could not control herself anyway). She ALWAYS squatted when peeing, until she could no longer stand (and even then, she would squat her legs while lying in her bed)

So just because she squats does not mean she isn't incontinent.

That being said, this same dog was a submissive urinator when she was young. I believe this is what your dog is too. (I have found that only the nicest dogs are submissive urinators ;-)

Just don't look at her when you come in, and she will outgrow it.