My 16mth old boxer has a problem with submissive urination?

Our beagle was very much like that as his former owner was very loud and used to yell at him quite a bit. Our newest puppy, a black lab, was also like that and she had no history of abuse. The beagle eventually outgrew it as he learned to trust again. But it took time. The black lab, as I was told by my vet, was simply letting us know that she was submissive to us. He suggested we just ignore it, and not bring her attention to it. After a while, actually about a year, she quit doing it. She no longer does it anymore at all. I would suggest you and your husband continue to treat her with love and respect and I bet she will eventually learn to overcome it. Please don't bring her attention to it, as I have noticed that just contributes to the problem. If you bring it to her attention and she feels bad about it she will just continue to pee to show you she is submissive, and then you bring it to her attention again, and she pees, and it just continues in a vicious circle forever. And thank you for adopting shelter animal.

First off, I think this is why people dislike Cesar Millan. I have Cesar's entire first season and never once did I see him ever ever ever go that far. In fact, when Cesar does "put a dog down", he does so firmly, not with force, he NEVER chases after a dog. He may walk a dog down, but never chases after them. And he doesn't tower over the poor thing and he never stares directly into its eyes - in fact, he recommends against that. So I think your 300 lb roommate has watched a few too episodes and is a completely un-trained, un-informed Cesar wannabe. Each dog is different with respect to mouthing. Serious mouthing offenses need a firmer hand. However, that being said, it sounds like (to me from what you wrote) t hat you do not believe this is serious at this point. I have done the "ow" and pulled my hand away with all three of my dogs. But I have never given them a toy afterwards. I stop playing and then, after a few minutes, re-engage playing or petting or whatever it was that we were doing beforehand. They now do very little - if any - biting with us when playing. And if biting occurs - in any way shape or form, we say "OW" loudly and stop playing. I am talking weeks between mistakes with all 3 of them now. Keep in mind - damage has been done. It should subside a lot when the 300 lb bully is out of the picture, but if/when it happens - do not say anything to do the dog. No scolding ( that will just make it more fearful) and definitely no reassurance. Simply clean up the mess. As for the time being - ask your roommate to stay the hell away from your dog - if he won't - I would be MORE than happy to come pee on him ;)

Have her spend extra time with your husband. Make him sit somewhere and have her come to him. The more they bond the more confidence she will have around him. Make sure he never raises his voice or makes sudden or loud actions around her. Once she is fairly comfortable with him, have him approach her using calm quiet words of praise. Approaching slowly.

Then branch out to other males that are close to you and will frequent your house.

Slowly she will realize that not all men are horrible people. This is will a slow ongoing process and she may never totally over come it with strangers but at least you can try to make it better with people she see every day.

I'm sure you already know that punishment and scolding are not going to fix the behavior. She needs lots of positive training from you AND your husband to build her confidence.

Here are two great articles that might help, the first on "reinforcing fear" and the second on "calming signals." The calming signals is definitely a good read for hubby. =)

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2007/rein...

http://diamondsintheruff.com/calmingsignals.html

I've also searched BoxerWorld's health/behavior forums for "submissive urination" and "building confidence." I've linked those search results as well as a few specific threads discussing very similar issues. Hopefully you'll find some helpful info.

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/search.php?search...

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/search.php?search...

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

Hi,

when boxers are misstreated they can be very hard to get thier confidence up.I would tell your husband to just sit close to her and put his hand out with some food on it and if she takes it stroke her very gentel on her and talk in a clam voise.She will come around if you do this every day!.We got a female boxer from a breeder who misstreated her and we did that now she happy fun little girl,just remember it takes time.Good luck. Boxers are great dogs to own you shound be so greatfull . x

well you should socialize her with many people.It will take time but she will get used to humans, If she is around a different person evey day.I guess she was so scared she peed her pants :3.(is laughing)

Here's an article I have found that I think is extremely useful.

http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/s...