When dogs get excited, theyâll likely wag their tail. They might also leave behind a small puddle of pee. Itâs an instinctual, physical response called submissive urination, and itâs normal in young dogs.
Submissive urination typically happens whenever a dog feels excited, shy, anxious, or scared. It also happens when a dog wants to acknowledge anotherâs dominance â like recognizing you as their owner.
Submissive urination is equally common in female and male dogs, especially if theyâre puppies. Dogs tend to outgrow this behavior over time. If your dog is urinating when someone approaches and says hello, when theyâre in trouble or being scolded, when theyâre crouching or showing their belly, or when they hear loud noises, these are signs that your dogâs inappropriate urination is submissive. Â Training them to stop can help speed up the process.Â
Have you ever experienced that adorable moment when your puppy is so happy to see you that they just can’t contain themselves—literally? One minute you’re walking through the door, the next you’re cleaning up a little puddle while your pup wags their tail innocently Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This common behavior has many pet parents scratching their heads and reaching for paper towels.
As a dog trainer for over 5 years, I’ve seen countless cases of excited or submissive urination. The good news? It’s usually temporary and fixable! Let’s dive into why puppies pee when excited and what we can do about those surprise puddles.
What’s Really Happening When Your Puppy Pees During Greetings?
First thing’s first—your puppy isn’t doing this to be naughty or to get back at you for leaving them alone, This is an involuntary response that they literally cannot control There are actually two main types of this behavior
Excitement Urination
This happens when your puppy gets so emotionally worked up that their little bladder muscles just let go. Think of it as their body being overwhelmed with joy—they’re so happy they pee! It’s common in young, enthusiastic puppies who haven’t yet developed full control over their bladder muscles or emotions.
Submissive Urination
This is a bit different. Submissive urination is actually a form of dog communication. In the canine world, a submissive dog will sometimes urinate to show deference to a more dominant dog. It’s their way of saying “I come in peace” or “You’re the boss.” When your puppy does this with you, they’re essentially acknowledging your leadership.
Why Does This Happen?
There are several reasons why puppies struggle with controlling their bladder during exciting moments
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Immature bladder control: Just like human toddlers, puppies are still developing the physical ability to “hold it.”
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Poor emotional regulation: Young dogs haven’t learned to manage their excitement levels yet.
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Communication: Dogs naturally use urine to send messages to other animals.
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Confidence issues: Submissive urination is more common in shy or nervous puppies.
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Past experiences: Some adopted dogs may have had negative experiences that make them more prone to submissive urination.
How to Tell the Difference Between Excitement and Submissive Urination
Understanding which type of urination your puppy is displaying can help you address the root cause more effectively:
Excitement Urination Signs:
- Happens during playtime or greetings
- Your puppy seems happy and energetic
- Normal, relaxed body language
- Occurs when they’re overstimulated
Submissive Urination Signs:
- Hunched posture or cowering
- Tucked tail
- Flattened ears
- May roll over to expose belly
- Often happens when being scolded or when meeting new people
Medical Causes to Rule Out First
Before assuming your puppy’s peeing is purely behavioral, it’s important to check for medical issues. Some health conditions can cause inappropriate urination, including:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Bladder stones
- Kidney problems
- Diabetes
- Incontinence issues
If your puppy is having accidents beyond just excited moments, or if the behavior suddenly starts in an older dog, consult your vet to rule out medical causes.
Training Solutions for Excitement Urination
If your puppy is peeing from sheer excitement, these strategies can help:
1. Keep Greetings Low-Key
This is probably the most important strategy! When you come home, resist the urge to get your puppy all worked up. Use a calm, quiet voice and relaxed body language. You may even need to completely ignore your puppy for the first few minutes until they calm down.
2. Take It Outside
If possible, greet your puppy outdoors until they outgrow this phase. This won’t solve the underlying issue, but it will make cleanup much easier!
3. Teach Impulse Control
Games and exercises that help your puppy learn to control their emotions will pay off in many ways. Try these:
- “Wait” before meals
- “Stay” before going through doors
- “Leave it” with treats or toys
- Settling on a mat
4. Establish a Routine
A consistent schedule for feeding, walking, and potty breaks can help your puppy learn when it’s appropriate to eliminate.
5. Redirect Energy
Give your puppy something else to focus on during greetings. Maybe they need to sit or perform another trick before receiving attention.
Building Confidence to Combat Submissive Urination
If your puppy is showing signs of submissive urination, focus on boosting their confidence:
1. Use Positive Training Methods
Harsh corrections or punishment will only make submissive urination worse. Stick to positive reinforcement training that builds your puppy’s confidence.
2. Proper Socialization
Expose your puppy to different people, dogs, and environments in a positive way. Go at their pace and use treats to create positive associations.
3. Modify Your Approach
- Kneel down to your puppy’s level instead of looming over them
- Avoid direct eye contact at first
- Pet under the chin rather than on top of the head
- Turn sideways rather than facing them directly
4. Try Confidence-Building Activities
Dog sports like puppy-appropriate agility exercises can work wonders for a timid dog’s self-esteem. Even learning new tricks can boost confidence!
5. Keep Everyone Consistent
Make sure all family members and regular visitors use the same calm greeting approach. Consistency is key to helping your puppy overcome this issue.
Practical Management Tips While Training
While working on the underlying causes, these management strategies can help:
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Empty the tank first: Take your puppy out to potty before exciting situations like greeting guests.
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Use belly bands or diapers: These can be helpful temporary tools for male and female puppies respectively.
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Place washable rugs in greeting areas: Protect your floors while you work through the training.
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Clean accidents thoroughly: Use enzymatic cleaners designed for pet urine to completely remove the scent.
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Consider pee pads in strategic locations: While not ideal long-term, they can help during the training process.
What NOT to Do
When dealing with excitement or submissive urination, avoid these counterproductive approaches:
❌ Don’t punish or scold: This will only make the problem worse, especially with submissive urination.
❌ Don’t react dramatically: Gasping or showing frustration can reinforce the behavior or increase anxiety.
❌ Don’t force interactions: If your puppy is showing submissive signals, don’t force them to meet new people.
❌ Don’t give up hope: Most puppies outgrow this behavior with maturity and proper training.
Success Stories and Timeline
Many pet parents worry that their puppy will never outgrow this problem, but most do! In my experience, most excitement urination resolves by 6-12 months of age as puppies gain better bladder control and emotional regulation.
Submissive urination can take longer to resolve, especially in very shy dogs or those with past negative experiences. However, with consistent confidence building, most dogs show significant improvement within a few months.
I remember working with a little spaniel puppy named Molly who would pee every single time someone walked in the door. Her owners were at their wits’ end! We implemented a strict “no eye contact, no speaking” rule for the first 5 minutes after coming home. Within three weeks, the accidents had reduced dramatically, and by 8 months old, Molly had completely outgrown the behavior.
Final Thoughts
Remember, your puppy isn’t peeing on purpose to annoy you or ruin your floors. This is an involuntary behavior that requires patience and understanding. With consistent training, most puppies outgrow excitement or submissive urination as they mature.
If you’ve tried these techniques for several months without improvement, or if the behavior suddenly starts in an older dog, consult with your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for additional support.
Have you dealt with a puppy who pees when excited? What techniques worked for you? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
FAQs About Puppies Peeing When Excited
At what age do puppies typically outgrow excitement urination?
Most puppies outgrow excitement urination by 6-12 months of age as their bladder control improves and they learn to manage their emotions better.
Can adult dogs have excitement or submissive urination problems?
Yes, although less common, adult dogs can exhibit these behaviors, especially if they’re very excitable, lack confidence, or have had negative past experiences.
Will spaying or neutering help with this problem?
While spaying and neutering have many benefits, they typically don’t directly impact excitement or submissive urination. However, they may help with other marking behaviors.
How do I clean up accidents properly?
Use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet urine. These products break down the urine compounds rather than just masking the smell, which helps prevent repeat accidents in the same spot.
Can professional training help with this issue?
Absolutely! A professional trainer or behaviorist can provide personalized guidance and help you implement effective strategies for your specific situation. Group classes can also help build confidence in shy puppies.
Remember, patience is key! With consistent training and understanding, your puppy will likely overcome this challenge, and those excited greetings will eventually be puddle-free.
Submissive Urination as a Behavioral Issue
Puppies and young dogs are most likely to inappropriately urinate because they havenât learned to control the urge to pee. These dogs are acting instinctively, which makes this a behavioral issue and not a medical one. A few factors can contribute to this:
- Age. If your dog is younger than 12 weeks, theyâre more likely to urinate in submission, to show they know theyâre not the leader. Puppies often grow out of this. Puppies also simply may not have the ability to control their urine yet. Through housetraining, theyâll learn the signs of needing to pee and can improve their ability to hold it.Â
- Incomplete housetraining. If you adopt a dog thatâs older than 12 weeks, they may simply not be trained properly. This includes not knowing when and where itâs acceptable to urinate. Adopted dogs may not always understand the rules in their new home, which can lead to submissive urination out of insecurity.
- Fear from past bad experiences. Some dogs have a history of being punished inappropriately, and theyâre attempting to show they recognize you as the leader to avoid punishment.
- Separation anxiety. Your dog misses you when youâre away. If they think youâre going to leave soon, they may pass urine out of emotional distress at being left. When you come back, your dog may pee out of excitement, which is different from submissive urination but is also related to their insecurity when you leave.Â
One closely related but different behavioral issue to watch out for is urine marking. Many dogs pass urine as a way of marking territory and attempting to express dominance, which is the opposite of submissive urination. This tells other dogs that the person or property âbelongsâ to them.
Because instinct triggers urinating as a physical response, training your dog can make a difference.
Training Your Dog to Stop Submissive Urination
Your dog will outgrow the urge to submissively urinate as they grow older. Training dogs when theyâre young can help them learn more quickly.
Dogs typically cower or lower their bodies when they feel the urge to urinate submissively. They might also:
- Raise their front paws
- Tuck in their tails
- Flatten their ears back
- Lick
If you catch your dog acting this way, redirect their attention immediately. Hereâs what you can do:
- Take your dog outside to help them make a connection with this being the place to pee.
- If youâre returning home, give your dog a treat to distract them and give them something productive to do with their excited energy.
- Keep your greetings modest and calm so your dog doesnât interpret them as acts of dominance.
- Teach your dog to âsitâ or âshakeâ when they greet new people, and reward them for it.