Hi

I have a 20 month old bitch who has been with me for 9 months.  She has (a rather unpleasant) habit of periodically urinating (just a splash!) when we "communicate" with her.  It's not as obvious as over excitement or fear, it seems harder to predict.  I've tried lots of different things but no one thing seems to work and I feel I'm becoming inconsistent now :(  Has anyone experienced this problem?  Any help/suggestions would be gratefully received...

thanks

Assuming that she doesn't have a persistent low-grade uti, just ignore it. It sounds as if it's unconscious submissive urination, and isn't uncommon at all. If you draw attention to it then you risk making her anxious which will make it worse. If you can spend as much time as possible with her in places where it doesn't matter - out of doors or on an easily-moppable floor - then you'll all be more relaxed and she'll grow out of it sooner.

thanks for the reply :)  I think you've hit the nail on the head with unconscious submissive urination - its as if she is anticipating something unpleasant.  It could have been something from her first home maybe??  if only they could talk :)  I must stop myself becoming anxious and making her worse.  I have 4 other dogs (girls) who are immaculately clean - I've been spoilt.

thanks again