Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 4/29/2008

Question
Hello, I am in desperate need of some guidance. We have had Jake (8 month old Boxer/Lab mix)for 5 months. We had the normal problems with him as a puppy going pee in the house as we were house training. Then he started doing really well. All of a sudden he started to pee again in the house and my boyfriend would get mad and yell with frustration. Now we are at the point that when we come near him he just pees. Then he is ok, then 20 min later he starts to crouch down and pee. We don't feel it is a urinary tract infection because he does not pee in his kennel when we put him in his kennel at night, just when we greet him or approach him. I have read a good amount of articles on the Internet and feel this is a sign of submissive urination. What i need to know know is how we can build his confidence up so he will stop feeing the urge to pee every time we come near him. We want to keep him but he is making it really hard, we are at a dead end. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Stephanie.

Answer
Your dog apparently has a very "soft" temperament, which requires a great deal of TLC.  Yelling at him for urinating (or doing anything else, for that matter) is the absolute worst approach (although I do understand the frustration behind it.)  Your dog is quite young and extremely insecure in your "pack".  He needs huge reinforcement emotionally.

Learn about positive reinforcement training.  Do NOT use a clicker (this dog is not a candidate because of his temperament..the sound might scare him and you're not experienced enough to introduce it properly.)  Read Paul Owens' book "The Dog Whisperer" (NOT Cesar Milan!) for some primary introduction with a touch of dog psychology thrown in.  Once you have an understanding, begin using it to teach him one behavior at a time (using made up words, not the normal "sit", "down", "come", etc.)  Working with him for short intervals every day over a few weeks for reward and praise will give him much more confidence and build trust in you and your partner (something he doesn't have right now.)  PROMOTE this dog.  Give him lots of attention.  Do NOT approach him head on with eye contact; sit on the floor and wait for him to come to YOU.  Do NOT pat him on the head; pat him on the chest, instead.  NEVER raise your voice or use any sort of aversives (choker collars, penny cans, etc.)  REWARD what you LIKE, IGNORE what you don't like.  Give this dog a few months to learn that he is SAFE and begin to realize that he CAN please you.  Rehoming him is not going to work, nor is it humane or responsible.  He'll fail and end up being dumped.

As for housetraining, go out with him and reward lavishly with praise when he eliminates outdoors.  If he makes a mistake in the house, IGNORE IT (clean it up when he's not around.)  Stick with it.  This dog will most likely become one of the best companions you'll ever have.