Page 41 - Issue 3_2018

“Life Is So Exciting!”
More commonly known as “excitement urination”, you’ll see this occur
mostly in puppies and young dogs when they greet people at the
door, during play time or when they receive attention. Excitement is
a strong emotion that causes quite powerful physical responses, and
urination is one of them, especially seen in dogs who haven’t attained
good bladder control. Luckily, as the pups grow and their ability
to hold it better increases, the problem fades away and becomes a
memory of the past.

“Just Didn’t Know What To Do”

At times, urine marking can occur when the dog feels overly aroused
or overstimulated in some social situations. The marking in this case,
takes place as a displacement behavior. In this case, the dog may
mark anything found nearby and this may include people, other dogs
or anything else. The marking takes often place as if the dog wasn’t
even aware of it--almost as if his neurons weren’t connecting. You can
“She Is Mine!” almost see the dog at times react as “ooops!” this urine just came out!”

This is a bit similar to territorial marking, but more than territory this “I Am Just A Lowly Worm”
form of marking conveys possession of something other than territory.
I have seen male dogs mark over the scent of a female as if to declare Most commonly known as submissive urination, you’ll see this be-
they possess the girl almost as a husband would give a ring to tell havior occur when the puppy or young dog is a tad bit intimidated
others that their wife is already “taken”.Pal (2003)conducted some and is showing appeasement signals of submission such as ears back,
research on urine marking and found that male dogs used to engage whining and lip licking. Most likely, the puppy will roll over his back
in what he classifies as “Raised Leg Displays” that is, “dry marking” in and urinate as he exposes the inguinal area. This is quite a vulnerable
courtship ad perhaps it has a competitive, agonistic function. Bekoff position to assume and it clearly shows that the pup doesn’t come
seems to agree, since this behavior was mostly seen when another in harm. Indeed, Ian Dunbar suggests, the pup is saying “I am lowly
dog was present. It’s as if the marking in this case assumes an “owner- worm, I respect your higher rank, and I would like to be friends.” This
ship function.” Dunbar and Buehler though also hypothesize that the behavior can be seen when the pup is approached by other dogs or
marking behavior may also be a way to cover the female’s scent so to people. It can be triggered by looming over or engaging in other body
disguise other contender males throwing them off the scent. postures the pup finds a bit intimidating or when the pup is scolded.
The urine emitted by the puppy is also a clear signal of their intent not
“Coping With A Stressful Situation Here” to harm, indeed, other dogs will smell the urine and understand it’s
just a puppy and perhaps may grant them a puppy license.
And then you have urine marking when a dog is stressed by novelty
and changes in his environment. Don’t blame Rover for urinating on Reprinted with permission 2018
your guest’s luggage or on the bed where he just slept; he’s marking Adrienne Farricelli
from stress in an effort to “make things smell familiar again.” Typically,
these dogs will not urine mark on vertical objects
as seen in the “I was here” social media style mark-
ing, but will mark on the new items in question.
Kleiman (1966) in Behavioral Effects of Domestica-
tion volume 1, discusses how urine marking may
be used to secure an unfamiliar place or object by
rendering it familiar with the scent.

“SOS, Distress Call”

The saying “I almost peed my pants” applies to
dogs as well, I have indeed seen my fair share of
dogs who urinated when they were frightened
by something perceived as scary. I have seen this
form of urination in a Yorkie which the owner told
me a previous trainer claimed him to be “dominant
aggressive” towards people entering his home. I
evaluated this dog, and sooner than later, figured
out the dog was really acting out of fear as he left
a dribble of urine when he faced a stranger com-
ing into his home and tried attacking this person
with barking, lunging and nipping at the heels.

41