Dog Submissive (Appeasement) Urination: Urinates When Anxious Or Nervous

As dog lovers, it is important to understand the mix of emotions when your dog’s excitement leads to an unexpected puddle on the floor. Submissive (appeasement) urination is more than inconvenient; it reflects your dog’s internal stress or desire to show deference.

It’s easy to mistake these moments for acts of defiance, but often, they’re signs of a dog’s extreme etiquette. Your dog is very politely saying, “You are bigger than me; please don’t hurt me; I am no threat”.

Understanding Submissive (Appeasement) Urination

Submissive (appeasement) urination is a sign of extreme politeness and appeasement in dogs, often triggered by anxiety or nervousness. Certain breeds are more prone to this behaviour; for example, American Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers and owners need to understand the common triggers and how to address them effectively.

Sign of extreme politeness and appeasement

Often, your dog shows signs that it’s trying to be polite. Appeasement urination is their extreme form of saying, “I mean no threat.” Imagine a dog flattening its ears, avoiding eye contact, and maybe even rolling over – adding a little puddle into the mix is like sending a handwritten note of deference.

They want to show us and other dogs that they intend no challenge, and are not a threat.

This behaviour usually happens at moments we might not expect: when someone comes through the door or when you call them over after arriving home. Your dog isn’t being naughty; it’s simply speaking in dog etiquette — the wetter version!

Let’s consider what gets your pups so anxious that they resort to this humble gesture—understanding common triggers for appeasement urination will help you relate better with your dog.

Common triggers for appeasement urination

Appeasement urination is a behavioural issue seen in dogs that feel overwhelmed or insecure. It’s your job to recognise the common triggers and work with your dog to help them feel more confident.

• Greeting the dog too excitedly: When you or someone else comes home and greets a dog with a lot of excitement, it can trigger anxiety and lead to urination.
• Scolding or sharp commands: Dogs might pee in appeasement if they associate being called with negative experiences or if they’re met with loud, stern voices.
• Intimidating body language: Standing over a dog, making direct eye contact, or using large gestures can be perceived as threatening and may cause appeasement peeing.
• Historical intimidation: If a dog has had past experiences where it was scared or intimidated, especially by unpredictable personalities, it might develop this appeasing behaviour.
• Strangers entering the home: The arrival of unfamiliar people can be stressful for some dogs, prompting them to urinate out of nervousness.
• Abrupt environmental changes: Sudden movements or loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks can frighten dogs into urinating.

Dog breeds prone to appeasement urination

Moving on from the triggers that may cause your dog to urinate in appeasement, you should note that some breeds seem more inclined towards this behaviour than others. Indeed, genetics can play a role in appeasement urination, and these certain breeds, due to their temperament and behavioural characteristics, are more susceptible.

Here is a rundown of breeds that are often prone to appeasement urination:

Breed	Reason for Predisposition
American Cocker Spaniel	They are known for their sensitive nature, which may lead to appeasing behaviours.
Golden Retriever	Typically eager to please and may display puppy-like behaviours to appease their owners.
German Shepherd	Despite their strong appearance, they are sensitive and may urinate when feeling insecure.
Labrador Retriever	Very social and may exhibit appeasement urination during overly exciting greetings.
Border Collie	Highly responsive to their owner’s reactions, potentially leading to appeasement urination.
Beagle	Because of their gentle temperament, they may appease to show respect or avoid confrontation.

While these breeds might have a natural tendency towards appeasement urination, with the right approach, you can help them overcome this challenge.

Addressing Submissive (Appeasement) Urination

When dealing with appeasement urination, it’s important to avoid using corrections or punishment, as this can exacerbate the issue. You should also be mindful of your body language and tone of voice when interacting with a dog prone to submissive urination, offering reassurance and positive reinforcement to build confidence.

Avoid using corrections

Using corrections to address appeasement urination can exacerbate the problem. Instead of scolding or punishing the dog, focus on positive reinforcement and building confidence. Corrections only increase anxiety and fear in an unsure dog, making the issue worse rather than better.

Implementing training techniques that focus on positive reinforcement and cooperative (obedience) training can help modify the behaviour. By understanding canine body language and communicating with dogs effectively, you can address appeasing urination without resorting to corrections that may worsen the situation.

It is better to completely ignore the wet patch and quietly clean it up without fuss.

Common mistakes made by people

People often inadvertently exacerbate appeasing urination in their dogs by using corrections or scolding. Here are common mistakes made by people:

1. Using punishment: Harsh punishments or scolding the dog for appeasing urination only worsen the issue and can lead to increased anxiety in the dog and more wet patches.
2. Direct eye contact: Staring directly at an anxious dog can be intimidating, leading to increased urinary accidents.
3. Incorrect greetings: Approaching an unsure dog in an assertive or overly bold manner can trigger further anxiety and urination.
4. Inconsistency: Inadvertently reinforcing the behaviour through inconsistent responses, such as lavishing attention during accidents but scolding later, can lead to confusion for the dog.
5. Lack of understanding: Failing to recognise that appeasing urination is not intentional or disobedient behaviour can result in incorrect handling of the situation.
6. Ignoring signs of distress: Overlooking timid behaviour, cowering, or obsequious gestures as signs of anxiety may perpetuate the problem.

Advice for addressing appeasing urination

To address appeasing urination, it’s essential to approach the situation with understanding and patience. Considering the dog’s emotional state and following these tips can help in managing or reducing appeasing urination:

1. Ignore the dog when returning home or greeting them, as this can reduce the pressure and anxiety that triggers appeasing urination.
2. Instruct guests to avoid direct eye contact or physical interaction when entering the house. This eliminates potential triggers for anxious behaviour.
3. When you or your family members return home, distract the dog with a treat. This provides an alternative focus for their excitement and reduces the likelihood of appeasing urination. Keep some by the door, and throw one to your dog when you come in.
4. Implement cooperative (obedience) training to build confidence and security in your dog, which can decrease appeasing behaviours over time.
5. Utilise positive reinforcement techniques during training sessions to encourage desired behaviour while avoiding punishment-based methods.
6. Gradually expose your dog to different situations and environments to help them become more comfortable and confident. This will reduce anxious responses that lead to appeasing urination.
7. Seek professional guidance from a certified canine behaviourist or trainer if you struggle to manage your dog’s appeasing urination effectively. This may signal that your dog is experiencing deeper anxiety issues.

Other Related Issues

Other related issues such as “Caught Short,” “Joie de Pee,” “Marking the Owner,” and “Assertive Gesture” can also be signs of different submissive behaviours in dogs that may require attention.

Caught Short

Caught Short describes a dog who urgently urinates due to an inability to hold it any longer. This can happen when the dog cannot access their usual toileting area, leading to an accidental bathroom accident.

People must be mindful of their dog’s bladder control and allow regular bathroom breaks to prevent such instances.

Incontinence or urinary urgency can cause dogs to be caught short, resulting in accidents inside the house. Understanding your dog’s needs and ensuring access to appropriate toileting areas can help mitigate these situations, promoting better bladder control and reducing the likelihood of bathroom accidents.

Joie de Pee

“Joie de Pee” refers to how a male dog, usually a male puppy, leaves a wavy pee line behind as he wags his way happily through life.

Marking the Owner

Submissive urination can extend to marking behaviour, where a (usually male) dog may urinate in the presence of their owner to claim the person as his.

You must address any underlying emotional issues causing this behaviour by providing positive reinforcement and implementing proper training techniques.

Recognising and addressing the triggers with patience and understanding is vital in helping the dog overcome this submissive marking behaviour.

Assertive Gesture

When understanding canine behaviour, it’s crucial to recognise the signals of Assertive Gesture. This behaviour is a way for dogs to assert control in situations that trigger feelings of insecurity or anxiety.

The dog may walk up to the person, make direct eye contact, and urinate on or near them. The ears may be forward, the mouth closed, and the face tense. If you see or suspect this, please contact a reputable behaviourist immediately. This behaviour should never be ignored.

Final Thoughts on Dog Appeasing Urination

I prefer to use the word appeasement urination rather than the old-fashioned term submission. Changing our language can often shift our mindset about things. This is especially true in dog training and behaviour.

For example, rather than submission a more accurate term is appeasement – because the dog is trying to show you that it’s not a threat and doesn’t want to be hurt. Whereas the word submission has dominance/submission connotations.

Likewise, rather than using the word obedience training, I prefer cooperative training, with the idea that you want the dog to cooperate with you. I also prefer cues rather than commands, as commands seem rather no-brain, just do connotations. We know that dogs are living, thinking beings and will live more harmoniously in our human world by cooperating. Allow the dog to learn to make the right choices!

Addressing appeasing urination requires a shift in understanding rather than punitive measures. By understanding that your dog is being very polite, is feeling a bit anxious, and is not trying to annoy you, you can avoid corrections and ignore the wet puddles, reducing your dog’s initial anxiety and helping your dog overcome this behaviour.

Remember to ignore the dog during trigger situations while instructing guests to do the same. Distracting the dog with a treat or toy upon arrival can also help reduce anxious or nervous urination.

These practical strategies, if implemented consistently, have the potential to significantly improve your dog’s behaviour and eliminate those wet patches!

You may find these other articles helpful:

Dog Breed Traits and How It Affects Training

Steps To Help Your Dog Settle