Puppies that have very submissive personalities tend to urinate small
amounts when greeting people or when someone makes sudden movements or
assumes a dominant position, even inadvertently. These puppies are generally
showing other submissive signs, such as head down postures or rolling over.
It can help to just ignore these puppies at first and let them get used
to your presence in the house prior to greeting them. Many dogs will outgrow
this behavior but some do not. For some dogs, treatment with anti-anxiety
medications or phenylpropanolamine can be helpful. Unfortunately, not all
dogs will respond to medical therapy or behavioral therapy for this condition.
Strategically placed throw rugs or plastic runners are the next line of
defense since the behavior often occurs at predictable times and places.
Excitement
Puppies can not control urination when they are very excited. They
just get so worked up that they leak urine. Most puppies will outgrow this
problem, too (at least based on the ones we see). Some dogs don't, though.
We have some success treating these dogs with phenylpropanolamine. It seems
to give them just enough control to get them through the excitement. It
doesn't always work, though. I have never tried any other therapy for this
condition. I think this is because I practice in a rural area and it is
easy for my clients to adjust to making these dogs "outside dogs" and living
with the problem. If there is an animal behaviorist in your area, your
vet may be able to refer you to him or her for help with this problem.
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