The Princess and the Pee

Submissive urination is a very common social behavior of dogs. In the wild, when a subordinate dog greets a dominant one, she will avert her eyes, lower her head, cower, or even go belly up. She may then deposit a little liquid peace offering on the ground. This sequence of behaviors indicates deference, and is intended to avoid confrontation. It’s the canine way of saying “I’m no threat. You’re in charge.” Pups and young females are the most likely to display these behaviors, since they rank lowest in the pack.

What works just fine in the wild is not so well adapted to our homes, where dogs must share our rugs, couches, and fine hardwood floors. How can Princess learn it’s not nice to greet guests by peeing on their shoes?

The good news is that most puppies outgrow this behavior, usually by the end of their first year. Rarely, submissive urination may persist into adulthood or be severe enough to require medication. If your puppy or young adult dog begins leaking urine or having urinary accidents at random, it may not be submissive urination but a medical problem. If in doubt, it’s best to check with your veterinarian.

For a typical case of submissive urination, here are some strategies that can help:

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