Submissive Urination

Let's talk about submissive urination. First, see your vet, because urinary tract infections and bladder stones can look identical to the untrained eye — you don't want to punish a medical problem. Once your vet clears the dog, you know it is a confidence issue.

Submissive urination is not a housebreaking failure. It is a dog's way of saying, I respect you, please don't hurt me. The worst thing you can do is scold, scruff, or rub the nose in it.

That is a hundred percent the wrong thing. Step one: ignore the dog for the first thirty seconds when you walk in the door. No eye contact, no petting, no talking, no leaning over.

Let the dog come to you. Step two: get low. Crouch sideways instead of standing over the puppy.

Step three: build confidence with structured walks, place work, and a predictable daily routine. Be the leader, be the alpha. A confident dog does not leak when you come home.

Now here's Steve's notes.