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My dog pees out of joy: what can I do?

My dog pees out of joy: what can I do?

Cartoon dog peeing while doing a handstand If your dog pees out of joy, he briefly loses control of his bladder in an exciting moment. It usually happens during greetings or play, even though he is otherwise house-trained. Often it is not only joy behind it, but insecurity as well. Puppies and young female dogs are affected most often, and many dogs grow out of it. You can do a lot to help: with calm greetings, patience and no punishment.

Joy, insecurity or both?

  • Excitement: Your dog pees when he is very happy, for example when greeting or playing. He seems cheerful and wound up, not fearful.
  • Appeasement: Your dog pees when he feels unsure, for example because someone leans over him or speaks loudly. Typical signs are ears laid back, a lowered body and looking away; sometimes he rolls onto his back.
  • Both at once: Many dogs badly want to get to you or the visitor and feel unsure at the same time. It is exactly this mix that often leads to a puddle.

Dog pees out of joy: is it incontinence?

Usually not. A dog with incontinence also loses urine in calm moments, for example while sleeping or lying down. Peeing out of joy only happens in exciting situations. But if your dog also has accidents at other times, dribbles more often, or an adult dog suddenly starts doing it, have him examined by the vet. There, a urinary tract infection or a bladder stone, for example, can be ruled out.

How to help your dog

  • Greet calmly: Come home without greeting your dog straight away. Wait until he has calmed down, then greet him briefly and calmly.
  • Get low: Crouch down instead of leaning over him. Speak softly, don’t look him straight in the eye and stroke his chest rather than his head.
  • Let him come: Let your dog come to you instead of walking up to him.
  • Greet outside: Move exciting greetings outdoors, for example into the garden or in front of the door. Take him out for a walk before expected visitors arrive.
  • Offer something else: Practise sitting or going to his blanket when greeting, and reward him for it.
  • Brief your visitors: Ask your guests to ignore your dog at first and then greet him just as calmly.
  • Build confidence: If your dog tends to be insecure, calm, pleasant encounters with people in which he is rewarded for relaxed behaviour will help him.

What you should avoid

Don’t scold or punish your dog for the puddle. He can’t help it in that moment, and punishment makes him more insecure. That can even make the problem worse. Wipe up the puddle without comment. Also avoid boisterous greetings with a high voice, lots of movement and picking him up.

When you should get help

If things don’t improve over a longer period despite calm greetings, or if your dog is very fearful in many situations, get support. An experienced dog trainer who uses reward-based training can help you, for example our partners at the MARTIN RÜTTER dog schools in Heidelberg and Erfurt. For severe fear, a vet with a focus on behaviour is also a good place to turn.

Frequently asked questions

My dog pees out of joy. Will he grow out of it?

Many dogs do. Over time they become calmer when greeting and can hold their bladder better. How long that takes varies from dog to dog.

Should I ignore my dog when I come home?

At first, yes, until he has calmed down. Then greet him briefly and calmly. That way he learns that your arrival is nothing exciting.

My adult dog has suddenly started doing it. What should I do?

Have him examined by the vet first. If it starts in adulthood or also happens in calm moments, a physical cause should be ruled out.

Do dog nappies help?

For a transitional period, dog nappies or belly bands can catch puddles, for example when visitors come. They don’t change the behaviour itself, so practising remains important.

Sources

Peeing out of joy is not disobedience, but a sign of great excitement. With calm greetings and plenty of patience, the puddles become less frequent over time for most dogs.

Read more: Why does your dog bark at people?

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Recent comments

Das kann ich so nicht bestätigen, zumindest nicht für jeden Fall. Ich habe seit über 35 Jahren Hunde verschiedener Rassen, und dieses Phänomen tritt überwiegend im ersten Lebensjahr auf. Ich begrüße meine Hunde niemals überschwänglich sondern versuche, Ruhe in die Begrüßung zu bringen. Dies gelingt aber nicht bei allen Hunden. Viele Junghunde vergessen vor Freude alles, was sie gelernt haben, wie nicht-anspringen z.B. So vergessen sie auch, ihre noch nicht vollständig ausgebildeten Schließmuskel zu kontrollieren. Diese Form des Urinierens hört nach etwa einem Jahr von alleine auf, weil die Schließmuskeln dann auch bei Freude oder Aufregung sicher verschlossen bleiben. Unterwerfungsurinieren älteren Hunden gegenüber ist deutlich seltener und erkennbar auch daran, daß sie sich dazu oft auf den Rücken legen oder eine insgesamt unterwürfige Haltung annehmen um den anderen Hund zu besänftigen, typisch dabei auch das Speichellecken, das bei der Mutter einen Würgereiz auslöst um halbverdautes Fleisch auszubrechen und den Welpen als Nahrung dient. Damit will ein Hund ebenfalls fen Welpenschutz aktivieren, selbst wenn er schon ausgewachsen ist. Dies sind meine Beobachtungen, ich hoffe, sie sind Euch hilfreich. 🐶

Gudula Birwe

Vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar.
Grundsätzlich stimmt deine Beobachtung, aber du hast auch viel Erfahrung mit Hunden und machst von Anfang an vieles richtig. Leider trifft das nicht immer zu und so kommt es auch zu anderen (menschengemachten) Verhalten.

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