Nervous pee pee... - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

jenjay · 05-19-2009, 01:38 AM

Hi there....I had this exact same problem with my male yorkie when he was about the same age as your little one. I have always had dogs but this is my first yorkie and I had heard how notoriously difficult they are to train and thought this was a housetraining issue and treated it as such. A quick scold when he started to pee on greeting etc.... The problem escalated so much that I actually started to consider rehoming my little guy (a huge thing as I adore him) because it was affecting our quality of life.
Anyway as it turns out this problem has a title! It's called submissive urination. There is loads of informaion on it on the internet. The dogs are actually giving you a signal that they acknowledge you as leader and that they are no threat to you. If you google 'submissive urination in dogs' and follow the advice you'll soon have no problem.
Even reaching down to pet them can be seen as a threat to these submissive guys!!
But the good news is that it is stated that a submissive dog can actually make a better pet, more loyal, not aggressive etc...
It takes a few months of careful monitoring of YOUR behaviour, not your dogs and you'll soon have a nice dry home again without having to carry your paper towels everywhere!!
My little guy is totally over this problem and I have a better insight into who he is, a great little character who is totally loyal!!
GOOD LUCK!!!!

JoeyP · 05-19-2009, 05:19 AM

Yes, jenjay is exactly right .... It Is submissive peeing
but what is the behavior modification that you are talking about?

jenjay · 05-19-2009, 08:34 AM

It's back to basics with the old 'Dog Psychology'!!
You have to build their confidence whilst not being perceived as a threat.
Even if you reassure your dog when they have made a puddle is stressful to the extremely submissive dog.
Trying to reach for your dog to prevent a 'submissive episode' on your silk rug is a threat!!!, they just release more and more urine as a way to show you that they have low levels of testosterone (which is why this problem is more prevalent in Bitches than in male dogs)
You have to show NO reaction to this at all. Just walk away and ignore it.
Very difficult, believe me!! I have always had large breed dogs and you have to employ exactly the opposite behaviour with them, so it really was a break from the norm for me.
You have to play games with the dog..such as tug of war...and let them win...it's about building confidence.
No eye contact, that was another important point. That's a threat too!!

But it really works, I have a happy, confident little yorkie now. He's always going to be slightly nervous and submissive, but the plus side is that he display no aggression at all - that was my most desired trait as he is chief companion for my four year old daughter, who wanted a brother

, so she got a little Davey man instead!!

ZoeyNoel · 05-19-2009, 03:12 PM

jenjay- again thank you so much for the helpful replies! I have spent hours already on the internet reading evey article I can find on submissive urination and it has helped a great deal just knowing why this happens! It makes me more understanding as to why Zoey is doing this.

I am so glad to hear that you have had success with your little one too. I have hope now!

Zoey is the best little pet. She is housebroken and she is an affectionate little companion and I can't imagine not having her around.

Pam Campbell · 06-17-2009, 10:28 AM

Off to google for more info. My precious baby Gracie Belle started this just a couple of days ago.

05-19-2009, 01:38 AM	#16
jenjay YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Marbella Spain Posts: 2	The Problem can be beaten!! Hi there....I had this exact same problem with my male yorkie when he was about the same age as your little one. I have always had dogs but this is my first yorkie and I had heard how notoriously difficult they are to train and thought this was a housetraining issue and treated it as such. A quick scold when he started to pee on greeting etc.... The problem escalated so much that I actually started to consider rehoming my little guy (a huge thing as I adore him) because it was affecting our quality of life. Anyway as it turns out this problem has a title! It's called submissive urination. There is loads of informaion on it on the internet. The dogs are actually giving you a signal that they acknowledge you as leader and that they are no threat to you. If you google 'submissive urination in dogs' and follow the advice you'll soon have no problem. Even reaching down to pet them can be seen as a threat to these submissive guys!! But the good news is that it is stated that a submissive dog can actually make a better pet, more loyal, not aggressive etc... It takes a few months of careful monitoring of YOUR behaviour, not your dogs and you'll soon have a nice dry home again without having to carry your paper towels everywhere!! My little guy is totally over this problem and I have a better insight into who he is, a great little character who is totally loyal!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

05-19-2009, 05:19 AM	#17
JoeyP YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami, FL,USA Posts: 1,005	Yes, jenjay is exactly right .... It Is submissive peeing but what is the behavior modification that you are talking about? __________________ Mike and Zach's Dadd

05-19-2009, 08:34 AM	#18
jenjay YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Marbella Spain Posts: 2	It's back to basics with the old 'Dog Psychology'!! You have to build their confidence whilst not being perceived as a threat. Even if you reassure your dog when they have made a puddle is stressful to the extremely submissive dog. Trying to reach for your dog to prevent a 'submissive episode' on your silk rug is a threat!!!, they just release more and more urine as a way to show you that they have low levels of testosterone (which is why this problem is more prevalent in Bitches than in male dogs) You have to show NO reaction to this at all. Just walk away and ignore it. Very difficult, believe me!! I have always had large breed dogs and you have to employ exactly the opposite behaviour with them, so it really was a break from the norm for me. You have to play games with the dog..such as tug of war...and let them win...it's about building confidence. No eye contact, that was another important point. That's a threat too!! But it really works, I have a happy, confident little yorkie now. He's always going to be slightly nervous and submissive, but the plus side is that he display no aggression at all - that was my most desired trait as he is chief companion for my four year old daughter, who wanted a brother, so she got a little Davey man instead!!

05-19-2009, 03:12 PM	#19
ZoeyNoel Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11	jenjay- again thank you so much for the helpful replies! I have spent hours already on the internet reading evey article I can find on submissive urination and it has helped a great deal just knowing why this happens! It makes me more understanding as to why Zoey is doing this. I am so glad to hear that you have had success with your little one too. I have hope now! Zoey is the best little pet. She is housebroken and she is an affectionate little companion and I can't imagine not having her around.

06-17-2009, 10:28 AM	#20
Pam Campbell Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kechi, Kansas Posts: 561	Off to google for more info. My precious baby Gracie Belle started this just a couple of days ago.