When owners return home or if a household has visitors, dogs sometimes become overly excited and urinate on the floor. The problem may stem from various factors that include the age of the dog, an underlying medical condition or the personality of the pet. Correcting the behavior initially requires determining possible contributing factors.
Age Plays A Role
Regardless of whether a young dog is housebroken, they may still have unexpected accidents at inopportune times. As the dog matures and gains more control over their bodily functions, excitement urination often subsides. Excitement peeing may also begin in older dogs. Through the natural aging process, muscle control may weaken and lead to occasional piddling when the dog becomes overly happy and exuberant. In either instance, owners can reduce the excitement by not acknowledging the dog when first walking through the door. Wait until the animal calms itself before talking to, looking at or touching the animal. Owners can also instruct visitors to demonstrate the same behavior. In this way, by reducing the emotional level of the situation, the dog remains in control.
Medical Conditions
Pets often do not exhibit symptoms of ailments until seriously ill. A dog that seemingly cannot control their bladder function may have an underlying urinary tract infection. The irritation and inflammation associated with the malady causes dogs to experience the same frequency and urgency that humans experience under the same circumstances. When presented with a situation that causes excitement, despite their best efforts, the dog may lose control of their bladder. Diagnosing and treating the infection alleviates the problem. Structural abnormalities somewhere along the urinary tract may also contribute to uncontrolled urination.
Submissive Personality
Regardless of age, some dogs show respect for their human counterparts by displaying submission. It is also not unusual for rescued canines to be fearful in lieu of having previously suffered abuse or neglect. In these instances, the animal may feel insecure, which leads to temporarily losing bladder control. Submissive pets gain self-confidence by learning to follow simple commands and receiving an adequate amount of praise or rewards. Owners can also instill a sense of calmness by rewarding or praising a dog anytime it voluntarily sits or lays down. The dog soon equates the action with a positive reinforcement. Similar to the additional training needed for very young or elderly dogs, owners or guests reduce the pet's anxiety or excitement levels by not acknowledging the animal until they demonstrate calmness by sitting or lying down quietly.
No Punishment Needed
For whatever reason a canine suffers from excitement urination, owners must resist the urge to scold or reprimand the pet for the behavior. The animal is not aware of losing control in that instance. Punishing the act only serves to confuse the dog.
