training my gsd

Question
I adopted a 5-6 month old female German shepherd, she is learning and picking up on things very fast, however, when ever i first get home from not being with her for a few hours she acts like she is scared of me and urinates a little, I have tried letting her out first soon as I get home before I give her attention, but still no matter what the first time or two I pet her she urinates. I have even tried ignoring her till she comes to me and wants to be pet.  Do you have any other idea or suggestions that may work??   thank you

Answer
Hi Matt,

It sounds like your dog is displaying some submissive urination. Submissive urination may be present in overly sensitive or dogs that have been mistreated. Dogs have several behaviors designed to reduce violence between them. When challenged, a submissive dog must display some or all of these behaviors to display its lower status and to prevent an attack.  Submissive urination is most commonly offered in this type of greeting. By wetting, the dog is acknowledging the other dog's (or it's owner's) superiority.  Also, depending on how recently you adopted your dog, she may still be trying to figure out where you stand in her "pack", or if you are part of her "pack".

When your dog submissively urinates, it is best to just ignore her. If you try to reassure her, she will think you are praising her for urinating and will urinate even more. If you scold her, she will feel an even greater need to apologize by urinating. Either reassurance or scolding will only make submissive urination worse.

When you first get home avoid eye contact with your dog, don't bend over to greet her. Bending over a shy dog is a sign of dominance, crouching down while avoiding eye contact with your dog, and letting her approach you makes for a better greeting. In general ignore your dog for the first few minutes upon your return. If you do not trigger the urination reaction, try some very calm words of greeting and gradually add physical affection over the next few minutes. After the physical affection, if your dog still has not eliminated, tell her "good girl" and give her a treat. If any part of your welcome home greeting causes your dog to urinate, you've gone too far too quickly. If your dog is fine until you talk to her, wait a longer period of time before you talk to her next time, to see if that helps.

The use of food for successful greetings is an important ingredient for success. Since physical petting may actually  cause the behavior to happen, food as a reinforcement is a logical alternative. Another advantage to using food is that urination and eating are very difficult for a dog to do at the same time. The dog's response to the food  competes with the urge to eliminate, and strengthens the correct behavior.

Because your dog is very sensitive and very receptive to the way you treat her, it will help to build her confidence. You can read more about how to build your dog's confidence here:

http://devinefarm.net/articles/submiss.htm

http://k9-trainers.com/docs/Building-Confidence-In-A-Shy-Dog.pdf

http://www.bestezines.com/?Trust-and-Confidence-Dog-Obedience-Training&id=4266

Above all be patient, you can't rush the reconditioning process.

Best of luck,
Patti