You get home, and you cannot wait to get in and see your dog, but wait! Oh, no! “Am I going to have to clean up pee again?” “I just cannot take this anymore!” You have had it. You are so tired of cleaning up your dog’s urination that you cannot stand it. You are asking yourself, “Why does my dog pee when he sees me?”
Why does my dog pee when he sees me?
You don’t mean to have a bad attitude. You are simply tired of cleaning it up. You are wondering if why he is doing it. Here are some reasons why your dog may be urinating when he sees you.
There are two main reasons why your dog may be peeing when he sees you, either “submissive” urination or excitement urination. Take a look at what these two types of urination are.
Is my dog peeing when he sees me because of submissive urination?
In submissive urination, it is believed that dogs pee when they feel subservient. They pee when you return home or when you reach out to touch them on the head to pet them. While submissive urination is something that usually happens in puppies and is something that they usually grow out of, sometimes it is a problem in older dogs, as well. Dogs that practice submissive urination are often rescue dogs that have experienced rough treatment after peeing inappropriately. Shy, timid, and anxious dogs, at times, experience submissive urination.
Some professional trainers, however, believe that “dominance” and “submission” between dog and owner are misconceptions and that dominance is only exercised between two members of the same species. When asserting dominance, one member of the species wants the first pick of whatever it is that is available, like food. In dogs, say some professional trainers, dominance between dogs is never achieved with coercion or force. It is, on the other hand, achieved when one dog defers to the other peacefully.
These trainers believe that dogs using aggression to achieve their goals are not displaying dominance but displaying anxiety-based behaviors. If the owners of these dogs respond to say their “urination when they see you” with verbal or physical threats, the anxiety-based behaviors will only escalate. Trying to respond based on “dominance” is a mistake, as it is harmful to the relationship between you and your dog and leads to the progression of your dog’s anxiety, stress, and aggression. You will also foster your dog’s fear and antagonism toward you.
Is my dog peeing when he sees me because of excitement urination?
In excitement urination, dogs have no control over their bladder when they urinate at the sight of you. This usually only occurs in dogs who are high-strung and get excited very easily. Not only you coming home but any type of social stimulation is likely to cause this reaction. You may find your dog peeing when people visit or while playing. Usually growing out of it, excitement urination normally only happens to dogs when they are puppies under 12 months of age. Not all dogs do grow out of it, though, and either way, you must exercise patience. Tall order, huh?!
Could my dog’s incontinence be coming from a medical condition?
He urinates when you get home. It could also be a medical condition. The most common medical condition that can cause this type of urination in dogs is a UTI or urinary tract infection. There are others, though, like urinary stones, kidney disease, diabetes, congenital abnormalities, prostate disorders, and medication reactions. There are many supplements available for renal support, and your vet may prescribe antibiotics for a UTI.
What to do about my dog peeing when he sees me?
You now have an idea what may be causing your dog to pee when he sees you. Now, you are wondering whether there is anything you can possibly do about it. The answer is — yes. There are some steps you can take. You will need some patience, but this behavior can usually be overcome unless your dog’s incontinence is being caused a medical issue.
How can I stop my dog’s “submissive” urination?
Any form of punishment when dealing with submissive urination will exacerbate the problem. While some pups will outgrow it, others will need intervention, possibly by a behaviorist. Never raise your voice to your dog or hit him after he has peed. Do not even scold him. He is finished peeing and will not understand what he is being reprimanded for anyway. Instead, try these things.
- Greet your dog in a calm manner.
- Take him outside the minute you arrive home.
- When you arrive, do not look him directly in the eyes.
- Crouch down instead of bending from the waist.
- Pet him under his chin instead of on top of his head.
- If he pees, just clean it up without creating a fuss. Use enzymatic cleaner, lest he smell the urine and think it is all right to pee there again.
- Reward him when he pees in the right place.
How can I stop my dog’s excitement urination?
So, your puppy or dog gets too excited when you come home. There are some things you should know.
- Do not punish them, as it will never help.
- Let him socialize a lot. Expose him to new people, pets, and places.
- Try reserving play for outside for now.
- When he does pee, do not punish or scold him. Just clean it up calmly. Use enzymatic cleaner, lest he smell the urine and think it is all right to pee there again.
- Give him a reward when he pees in a proper place.
- Greet him only in a calm manner.
Why does my dog get so excited when he sees me?
He runs down the hall and back. When he comes back, he is going so fast that he almost slides into the wall. He spins round. He simply goes nuts. You sit on your couch with your hot cocoa later pondering, “Why does my dog lose his mind when he sees me? Is this normal?” Here are some things to know.
Does oxytocin play a role in the excitement my dog experiences when he sees me?
The chemical called oxytocin is an important substance that most people relate with social relations. It plays a vital part in the social interaction of not only humans but all primates, including dogs. When oxytocin is released, it helps establish attachment between two beings. Oxytocin reinforces trust and social bonds.
Does cortisol play a role, as well?
The chemical called cortisol is also an important one to be aware of. People relate cortisol to physical or emotional stress. While the body released cortisol as an instant coping mechanism to deal with stressful situations, it can be detrimental to the body when it exists there in high levels for any amount of time. For instance, in excessive levels, cortisol affects the way your immune system works, increases blood pressure, and increases your chance of suffering from depression.
What is the bottom line here?
How do oxytocin and cortisol affect my dog’s excitement when he sees me? Seeing a familiar human increases oxytocin and decreases cortisol in dogs, even when there is no verbal or physical interaction. When verbal and physical interaction are involved, much higher levels of oxytocin are produced and maintained for longer. Meanwhile, cortisol levels are lower for the same amount of time. Interestingly, studies have shown that seeing your dog when you arrive home boosts your oxytocin level, as well, consequently lowering your cortisol level.
Could my dog have health issues causing incontinence?
If your dog is not a puppy, take him to the vet before trying behavior modification, so that he can rule out health issues. Your dog could have renal issues or even other types of issues, like prostate problems or diabetes.
Does my dog need a professional behaviorist?
When you have done everything you know to do with no fruits for your labor, you may want to consult a licensed veterinary behavior specialist. Some problems just require an expert. Their viewpoint could shine a whole new light on your problem and help you see the end of the tunnel.