Timid puppy pees nervously?

Question

We just adopted a puppy who has never been treated badly (I know the breeder well) but he is extremely timid. He is very scared of strangers and nervously pees whenever he is approached by people he does not know. How can we teach him that this peeing behavior is not ok and that strangers are not going to hurt him?

Answer 1

Submissive or nervous urination can not be cured by correction.  In other words you will not stop this by telling him off - it will just make it worse.  The puppy needs lots of socialisation and needs to connect strangers with a good experience.  Enlist the help of family and friends and get them to come to the house at regular intervals.  They should make a fuss of the dog and use his favourite treats but not force themselves on the dog.  This is not unusual behaviour in puppies and you will get through it with time and patience

Answer 2

Some puppies will do this, it's a submission thing and although perhaps it's the more timid ones who do this, it's not always the case.  I had a fairly butch Basset male who as a puppy, did this.  It should sort itself out as he matures.  It's a nuisance if done in the house and you will have to work it that he meets strangers in a place where what he does can be quickly, and without fuss, wiped up.  Don't make a major drama of it.  Outside, perhaps you are going to have to discourage strangers from coming up to him, difficult as that is when you have a cute puppy, for a while.  Just walk on by as if nothing out of the ordinary's going on.  I'd also advise getting him to some training classes where he'll meet lots of different dogs, and people.

As his bladder gets stronger too, this shouldn't happen as often.  He needs to grow up basically!

Good luck

PS have you a good relationship with his breeder? You could try running this problem past him/her?

Answer 3

what Mamab said is good. Our 3 year old Pomapoo still piddles when she get to excited. When you have new people over. try holding your dog until everyone is settled, then introduce them.