Expert: Suzanne Harris BSc CPDT - 10/22/2008

Question
My dog has never had a problem with "submissive peeing" but recently she was away from me and staying with a friend. Ever since whenever she is around him she will pee. He also said that she had a problem peeing right outside his bedroom door. She has never done this before. Should I be worried that he has hurt her or anything? If not, why is she doing this?

Answer
Dear Katie,

There really is no way to know for sure why she pees submissively around your friend.  If she never did so in his presence BEFORE she stayed with him, something may have happened during her stay with him which changed things.  But it also could be simply that his tone of voice was harsher in his own home, particularly if she peed in his house -- which could cause any petsitter/friend to get annoyed.

Some dogs just react this way to more "dominant" humans than others, but again, there's no way to tell for sure.  Wouldn't it be nice if dogs could talk?

I hope that helps.  Thanks for writing.
Suzanne Harris, BSc, CPDT
http://www.dogdaysusa.com