re: incontinence

Question
Dear Ms. Fry,

  My lab/retriever/sharpei mix has recently started being incontinent when I address him with a certain tone.  I first noticed it when our babysitter came over and Sisu layed near her feet and started leaking. I yelled and put him outside.  He mostly stays in his kennel when the sitter's over.  I assumed that episode was from being excited.  I'm now thinking it's more related to discipline.  I do not typically spank Sisu, rather I've used an intimidating tone to get his attention.  He is only 3.5 months and is house broken.  This is a recent behavior that is mostly associated with me and when the baby sitter comes over---I don't understand the babysitter connection.  With my wife, it doesn't happen.  I'm wondering if you think he's frightened of me or could it be something medical?  Do these types of things go away after the dog has been fixed?  I've been very careful of my tone lately.  Sometimes he's okay and other times he' very leaky, regardless of how I'm talking.  I'm not sure what to do.  Prior to the babysitter episode, he was fine.  Did he some how get conditioned from the discipline when he urinated upon the babsitter's arrival?  Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
M Hughes

Answer
It could be a submissive urination, however, I would recommend taking a urine sample to the vet to rule out any urinary tract infection.  Also, leaking urine in a puppy could be a sign of a developmental problem.   

You should not discipline him if he has an accident--he's just a baby and can't help it...it can make them more fearful.  Rather you should praise and reward him when he does appropriate things and ignore the accidents.