My dog pees when I put the leash on him to take him outside, how do I get him to stop?
Whenever my girlfriend puts the leash on him, there's no problem, but as soon as i touch him to put the leash on he pees every time. I don't hit him so I don't know why he does it. She's not always around to put the leash on him every time, and that gets tiresome anyways. What can I do to get him to stop peeing when I put the leash on him?
2009-07-05T12:22:30Z
More info, as requested by Aimee: The dog is a welsh corgi, about 18 months old. We bought him together when he was three months old. He is otherwise a very confident happy dog, and jumps all over everyone and likes to sit on everyone's laps. When on walks he barks and wants to meet new people/inspect everything.
Anonymous2009-07-05T12:06:08Z
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Maybe your putting the leash on the wrong end of the dog.
I agree with Elena that this is submissive peeing, but I need more info to help with what to do about it. How old is the dog? How long have you had him? Did one of you own the dog before you got together? I need to find out if the dog is just being submissive to you or if he might really be frightened because another man in his life hit him or yelled at him or was really rough with jerking the leash around. Some dogs (like some people) are more sensitive to rough treatment and don't do well with it. How is he around any other men? If a neighbor (man) comes to visit, is the dog scared and submissive around him too? or is he happy to meet someone new? When you take him on walks in town on a leash, is he shy of men? Is he possibly just shy of anything new in general, including new people, new dogs, new places?
I know this is a lot, but give me some info and I'll give you more help.
Submissive urination, probably combined with a little excitement over going for a walk. He's indicating that you're the dominant one by peeing a bit. Dogs often recognize men as more dominant than females because of size and voice. It often gets a bit better as they get older. You can help by not making a big deal over going out. Try to get ready to go out without the dog realizing you're going, if possible--mine recognize about 10 different things I might do before I leave the house like picking up car keys, checking my pockets to make sure I have money, or closing windows. Pick up the leash quietly and put it on him by surprise, without any build-up, away from the door, and head out right away. You could also try training him to sit quietly before the leash goes on, and it doesn't go on until he's quiet. Practise the quiet sitting in all kinds of circumstances, not just with the leash around. Also don't make any big deal over the peeing when it happens. He can't help it. Ignore it completely and have a towel ready to mop up quick. Try to act a bit softer and quieter around the dog, though don't change too much.
I have the same problem. It's bloody horribly embarrassing... As I type this she is laying on my lap enjoying my company. At no time does she ever behave as though she is scared of me or worried about me - except when the leash gets attached. I have tried dozens of tactics, distractions, treats, positioning and everything. But the moment I go near her with the leash/harness she cowers and pees. OMG! Leash goes on and she is back to normal. I no longer put the leash on her - we have given up. My wife does it, and I take her walking which she loves of course. I take her from the door of the apartment and no peeing. I can play and touch and pat her etc after my wife has put on the leash and no pee.. Simply loves being touched and patted etc. So embarrassing having to get my wife to put on the leash as though I am a dog abuser or something. Doggy is a rescue and has some physical scars (bind in one eye), I suppose she is from a nervous breed - Tibetian Spaniel. Overall though she seems to be settling into our family wonderfully (9 months) ... except, of course, for the pissing with leash.
Like the other person said, it is probably some submissive issue.
Perhaps you can try playing with the dog more often to gain a more friendly relationship. That way when it comes time to put the leash on the dog he is more secure in what you are doing.