You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Submissive and fear-induced urination is common in young dogs, and dogs with a "nervous" disposition. It is also seen in dogs that have been subjected to abuse.

Sometimes dogs will urinate when approached by a person or another dog, when a stranger visits the house, or when an owner returns home. They may crouch, cower away with their ears back and look apprehensive or nervous - as though they might run away. On other occasions the dog will roll over on it's side or back and urinate.

This behaviour is a psychological problem due to the dog feeling fear, stress, or submissive to a "dominant" person or other dog. Young puppies will usually grow out of this behaviour as they become more experienced and confident. Adult animals that develop this behaviour need to be desensitised by the "dominant" person approaching  at it's level and being friendly, talking softly and patting gently with open hands.

Dogs exhibiting this behaviour should never be chastised - because this actually reinforces the behavioural problem in the dog.

Updated October 2013