Peeing when Excited?

So Grover is awesome at housetraining. He has only had a very few accidents since we got him and we think he's a total genius! BUT when people come over or we go out in public and someone approaches him to pet him, he pees EVERYWHERE> not just a few drops but the full on urination!
What can I do to help him out? He's 16 weeks old now and I'm not sure if this is just a puppy thing or something that is now a habit. Any advice?

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Permalink Reply by CorgiLover on May 9, 2008 at 10:50am

This is just what puppies dog. Chloe does it when I come home and guests come over. Its just an excitement pee. Its gotten a little bit better since she has gotten spayed, but she still pees. They cant help it. The only advice I can give is have a towel handy near the door.

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Permalink Reply by Kristen on May 9, 2008 at 10:56am

Our Fergie (11 months) used to do the pee when excited or terrified. Out of all the dogs I have had in my life she was the first happy piddler! I can happily say that she did grow out of it--it was gradual. Although, I will say the other day I had her at the office and she was in a collegues office and my collegue thought it would be funny to jump out at her and say "Boo!" Fergie just stopped and left a little piddle spot. She acted very upset about having the accident. I couldn't get upset at her. Even though it seems to be an uncontrollable action. You need to move Grover (love the name!) outside when it starts, but it sounds like it happens mostly outside. I have a friend who has a little dog that piddles when excited, but they have learned to control it a bit by ignoring her when they first come home so she can settle down. I think he will outgrow it. 16 weeks is still a little guy.

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Permalink Reply by Charlie on May 9, 2008 at 12:05pm

Two reasons behind peeing when seeing people are shyness/fear or happy/excited pee. Both are ways of him showing his submission to humans.

If Grover is bouncing all over the place when he pees and is not showing any sign of fear, he is doing the happy/excited pee. You'll want to ask people to ignore him until he settles down before petting or attention. You can also work on a really reliable "sit" or "down" (he won't pee when he's in sit or down). You have to give the command before people get close enough to him that makes him pee. You can also try distracting him with a squeeky toy to redirect his mind from the excitement of seeing people. These are three different methods you may try. Most puppies with the excited/happy pee do outgrow it without you having to work too hard.

If Grover is cowering, scrunching down, or otherwise trying to make himself "look smaller", or trying to get away and avoid people, then he is showing fear/shyness and exteme submission. You can still have people ignore him so he'll be less intimidated if they are not looking at him or paying him any attention. In this case, you'll want to work with him on techniques to raise his confidence level. A formal training class can work wonders for shy dogs. Shy/fearful peeing may continue for the dog's life without quite a bit of training to make the dog more secure around strangers.

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Permalink Reply by Parker on May 9, 2008 at 4:17pm

Thanks guys~ Good to hear its not just Grove that has this prob! He really doesn't mean to and it is totally excitement that does it! He's usually jumping and just really excited when it happens. Fortunately I have been able to make some adjustments. When I have folks over, I put Grover in the back yard to meet them, then that way accidents are such a big deal.
I'm thinking you guys are right, he'll just grow out of it hopefully!