Submissive Urination--help!

[Springheel]

Hi everyone. I'm new here, and could use some help. My wife and I have a 9 month old cockapoo that we love. We have had her since 8 weeks. She is very clever and generally obedient. We have one main concern with her, however, and that's submissive urination. We generally put a gate up and leave her in the kitchen when we go out, and when we come home, she almost always cowers and piddles when greeting us. She does the same thing when greeting visitors. She is not an overly insecure puppy as far as we can tell. She will happily run up to strangers at the park, but then as soon as they bend to pet her, she will urinate at their feet. She does not submissively urinate at any other time though, like when being scolded. It is only during greetings. I've also noticed that she seems less likely to do it when we leave her in her crate...I don't know if it's because we're more likely to be kneeling or what.

I've read basic advice, like not leaning over, not staring or doing other dominant things during greetings, but that seems to have only a slight effect. I feel like it has been getting worse in the last month or so, but I can't be sure. It definitely is frustrating though...if my wife and I are coming and going throughout the day, we can wind up with four or five pees to clean up.

I don't know if it matters, but she is spayed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[the_gunny]

Try not make your greetings and goodbyes so emotional. a simple be good, when you leave and ignore her for a few minutes upon return then give her a calm warm greeting. not the I have been gone for 3 weeks welcome home hoorah. the crate thing has to do with den instinct. dogs usually do not elminate where they sleep. see if that helps

[erdog3]

This sounds more like accidental excitement urination, not submissive urination. Otherwise she would most definately do it on being scolded.
What you do is not make a fuss when you get home, don't go near her for at least 5 mins. after you get in the door, don't even look at or speak to her. When visitors come, get them to do the same thing. If I'm correct you will notice the wee is not a full on piddle, but just tiny little spots of it. Poodles are notorious for it, Joe the poodle would do it on the couch even, enough to wipe up, but not a full on wee.
I just ignored her when I got home, but if I wanted to groom her, I would have to make sure she wasn't on the couch, and pick her up rather than call or she would wee on the spot.

[Karen]

I have the same problem with my 1 yr old female JRT. She always piddles when meeting someone and can wet the furniture or bed if frightened while sleeping. She is a very nervous pup.

[pittiegurl]

I had a dog who did that with my dad until the dog was about 1-1/2 years old.He eventually grew out of it.