Dutch Shepherd Forum

Lyric had submissive urination behavior when I got her as a pup.(Along with a UTI) Also a behavior issue that seemed to me as tho she had maybe been coaxed close and then grabbed, to catch her. (Maybe when the litter was playing and it was time to "catch" them all to return them to the kennel ?) She avoided being petted--didn't seem to understand it. (Now loves it.) I thought we had worked all this out a long time ago.
I want to make it clear that the people I got her from, are NOT the ones who raised this litter! (The whole litter came to them only days before I picked Lyric up.)

Okay. A few days ago, life and my nerves got the best of me and I had a real good cry for myself.
Lyric was very worried---lots of dog kissing, hugging close to me, trying to comfort me and understand what was wrong with mom---me petting her, and crying.

Now she has shown some submissive urination again. I think she has lost faith in me as her leader, or somehow thinks she did something wrong? Should I have crated her until I got myself together? Is it just that she doesn't know any other way to communicate that she knows I'm sad and thinks it's her fault?

I'm feeling like I've miscommunicated something to her and don't know how to fix it. I just ignore this behavior from her, as I did before. Any thoughts ?

Could she have a UTI again?

Don't think it's a UTI as it started the very next day after my little melt down on Monday night. Also seems to be only when I call her into the kitchen. I Don't have a clue why, as my melt down was in the livingroom chair.

I am by far no dog expert as I am new to the training ground, but it seems to me since she is very connected to you. She is feeling your distress as you already know.
Are you sure you are completely over your meltdown? Are you still feeling somewhat sad and may not realize it? Perhaps there is some behavior that is different with you and she is picking up on all of this.
Try sitting down on the kitchen floor when you call her, have a treat hidden and give it to her with praise when she comes to you. You probably already know this, but if she does pee, do not under any circumstances say "it's ok". She is still stressed over something and she may need some time to realize all is ok with mommy.

Last wk, Mark and I were having an intense discussion (no fighting) just some passionate talk along with loud laughing, etc. Odin was in the cellar with us and urinated all over the rug and I mean all over. There were urine tracks in unique designs everywhere. The point - he never saw this before with us, got nervous and scared - so he expressed his discomfort by peeing. We all went back to normal life immediately and so did he.

Just my thoughts. Sorry to hear this from both of you, but we all need to "let go" at times and hopefully her urination will stop soon. I really don't think she lost faith in you as her leader.

Dogs can be very perceptive, and even more aware of human emotions/discomfort as we are ourselves I think it could very well be insecurity as the pack leader is no longer a strong leader. When you are feeling better, she might find peace again and it could be over. I would test for UTI anyway, just to be sure And go ouside and enjoy spring, so you will feel better soon (we don't have a hug smilie...?)

Thalie has always picked up on even the slightest upset with me and comes over to me to with a worried look and wants to kiss and snuggle, no pee though. Even if I laugh and it sounds like a cry she gives me a worried look and comes over to make sure all is good.

Sorry to hear about your meltdown and hope you feel better.

maker sure whe nyou call her into the kitchen, you use a very happy voice for her name...and a nice treat immediatelyh for responding will keep her mind on happy stuff

sorry y0ou're blue and hope that's better...

she'll improve. Ignore the submissive peeing totally and just go on and it'll go away again (and I mean totally ignore it..if she leaks a bit, just don't say a word, take out your cleaning stuff, matter of factly wipe it up, and just totally ignore the whole thing TOTALLY )

leih merigian wrote:
she'll improve. Ignore the submissive peeing totally and just go on and it'll go away again (and I mean totally ignore it..if she leaks a bit, just don't say a word, take out your cleaning stuff, matter of factly wipe it up, and just totally ignore the whole thing TOTALLY )

Ya, thats how anyone who leaks would want it handled

Sugars Mom wrote:

leih merigian wrote:


Ya, thats how anyone who leaks would want it handled

Since I have brought Remington home he has started the submissive peeing also. The original owner when asked said he did not do that before. Should I be concerned about this or just ignore it like the other posts said? It has happened a few times and not always when scolded, he urinated when Lisa was just talking to him the second day he was here. He also got in trouble for eating food off the counter and urinated a bunch when he got in trouble for it. Luckily I caught him in the act so hopefully he learned. It did not surprise me when he did it that time because he knew he had done wrong when he saw me, and he started urinating before I even had the chance to discipline him. I did not hit him and do not believe in hitting a dog so it was definately just a submissive response to my dominate scolding he got. It also changed our relationship some he know will not look me in the eyes like he did before. And he is also more responsive when I tell him something. I have not seen him have this urination problem since but would like to know how I should handle it.

Maybe he's just really very insecure right now since he doesn't know what to expect from this new environment, or you. (Probably thinks he'll be going back "home" soon.) Ignore it and just go on with life.
Whatever else you do---DON'T use a correction for this!!!! Try to not show any emotion at all, or even act like you've even noticed.

Lyric is back to herself again, thankfully.

Good to hear about Lyric. So the ignoring worked, eh?

alspyce wrote:Lyric is back to herself again, thankfully.

Sugars Mom wrote:Good to hear about Lyric. So the ignoring worked, eh?

Worked when she was a pup too! I was just surprised to see it resurface. They really are very perceptive, and I think my getting upset kind of upset her. (Next time I'll crate her, or put her outside in the pen.)

Actually, I think its OK for her to see and learn to deal with your emotions. If she's going to be a part of your life everyday, then she has to cope with the everyday.

Next time, cry on her shoulder and then be done. If she reacts later, just still be done and ignore it. The more she realizes that the world really isn't going to end when you become emotional, the stronger she will be when faced with that stress.

Very good point Christie! Thanks