[kthompson]

My husband and I just recently adopted a 3 month old Chihuahua. The previous owners said he was potty trained and by all means he seems to be. But when ever my husband approaches him he pees all over the floor and begins to shake. He acts as if my husband has yelled him when he hasn't. Can anyone help us out we are very confused by his actions? We want him to be comfortable and happy which he seems to be but my husband has to talk to him like he's a baby just to get him not to pee and even then he still pees all over the floor.

Please can anyone help us out!!!! Any ideas at all as to what to do. Also he does not pee or even shake when i have scolded him for something else. Only with my husband.

Sincerly,
K Thompson

[myminpins]

Submissive Urination

Submissive wetting or urination is a normal way for dogs and puppies to demonstrate submissive behavior. Even a dog that is otherwise housetrained may leave dribbles and puddles of urine at your feet and on the floor when greeting you.

Submissive urination is the ultimate show of respect and deference for higher rank. It occurs frequently with young puppies who have not yet learned and perfected other social skills and means of showing respect. Submissive urination in adult dogs is usually a sign of insecurity. Often unsocialized and abused dogs will submissively urinate. Other dogs that engage in submissive urination may simply have not been shown that there are more acceptable ways to show respect, such as paw raising (shake hands) or hand licking (give a kiss).

Submissive urination may be present in overly sensitive or mistreated dogs because they feel the need to constantly apologize. This state is often caused by excessive or delayed punishment which frightens and confuses the dog without teaching him how to make amends. The dog resorts to the only way he knows to show respect and fear, by submissive urination.

You said if he talks in baby talk, it's better?

What you could do is have your husband sit on the floor somewhere in the house in the dog's sight. Have your husband hold some YUMMY treats. Have him toss the treats to the dog from a good distance where the dog is comfortable. Gradually work him up closer to your husband until he's okay with your husband.

He's afraid. This may take nights or months but hopefully with such a young dog this will only take a couple of nights at most.

Make sure your husband never reaches/leans OVER the dog - big huge human with deep voice - scares the dog. Have your husband go down like he's doing knee bends and have the dog come to him. Time and patience are the key here. He should be fine after awhile.

He may have been frightened by a man in his other home. He may not know men and so this big person with the deep voice scares him.

You could also have your husband feed him, walk him, play with him, etc. He'll get used to him eventually and it'll be fine

[kthompson]

Thank you so much for the advice. My husband and I will try it out tonight when he gets home. Thanks again.

Sincerly,
K Thompson