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The first time my friend brought home her tiny Maltipoo, Bella, we were all smitten. She was a ball of fluff, barely the size of a loaf of bread, with big, round eyes that could melt anyone’s heart. But within the first five minutes of meeting her, she squatted and peed right in the middle of my friend’s shoes. Not once—twice. And no, she wasn’t marking her territory or having an accident. This was classic submissive peeing in toy breeds.
If you’ve ever been greeted by your adorable pup with a wagging tail, only to realize they’ve left a tiny puddle on the floor, you’re not alone. Many small breed dog owners deal with this frustrating (but totally fixable) issue. Let’s break it down: why do toy breeds tend to submissively pee, and what can we do to help them gain confidence and keep our floors dry?
What Is Submissive Peeing in Toy Breeds?
Submissive peeing happens when a dog involuntarily urinates in response to excitement, fear, or even an overly enthusiastic greeting. It’s their way of saying, “Hey, I mean no harm! Please don’t be mad at me!” This is especially common in toy breeds like maltipoos and cavapoos because they tend to be more sensitive, excitable, and eager to please.
Unlike potty training accidents, submissive peeing isn’t about your dog forgetting their housebreaking rules. It’s an emotional response—a way of communicating submission or nervousness. And while it’s common in puppies, some small dogs carry this behavior into adulthood if not properly addressed. If your pup is still young, don’t worry—many grow out of it with confidence-building and proper training.
Why Is Submissive Peeing More Common in Toy Breeds?
So why do toy breeds like cavapoos and maltipoos seem to have this issue more often than their larger canine counterparts? A few key reasons:
🐶 They’re naturally more submissive. Small dogs often rely on charm and submission to navigate the world since they can’t exactly intimidate anyone with their size.
🐶 They’re more excitable. A toy breed pup can go from zero to wiggly in two seconds flat. That kind of excitement can lead to loss of bladder control.
🐶 They’ve been unintentionally reinforced. Sometimes, without realizing it, we reinforce submissive peeing by reacting dramatically—whether it’s with scolding or overly excited greetings.
🐶 They mature more slowly. Many small breeds take longer to gain full bladder control, meaning they’re more prone to accidents well past the puppy stage.
🐶 They lack confidence. Dogs who are unsure of their place in the “pack” may use submissive peeing as a way to reassure you (or another dog) that they mean no harm.
How to Tell If Your Dog Is Submissively Peeing
Not sure if your dog’s puddles are from excitement or just a bathroom accident? Here are some telltale signs of submissive peeing in toy breeds:
✔️ They pee when greeting you or other people. ✔️ It happens when they’re being scolded or corrected (even gently). ✔️ They roll onto their back, lower their body, or tuck their tail when urinating. ✔️ The peeing only happens in social situations, not randomly around the house. ✔️ The accidents happen when they are overstimulated, fearful, or overly submissive.
How to Stop Submissive Peeing in Toy Breeds
The good news? Your floors don’t have to suffer forever. With patience and the right approach, you can help your pup build confidence and break this habit. Here’s how:
1. Tone Down Greetings
Your dog is thrilled to see you, and that’s great! But the more excited you make greetings, the higher the chance of an “oops” moment. Instead of rushing in with high-pitched excitement, keep arrivals calm and casual. Wait a few minutes before petting them, and avoid direct eye contact at first.
2. Build Confidence
Dogs who submissively pee often lack confidence. Help them feel secure by:
- Rewarding confident behavior with treats and praise.
- Teaching basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to boost their self-assurance.
- Taking them on structured daily walks where they follow you instead of pulling ahead.
- Creating predictable routines to help them feel more secure.
- Engaging in positive reinforcement training—never punish submissive peeing, as it will only make it worse.
3. Keep Interactions Low-Key
If your dog tends to pee when meeting new people, advise guests to ignore them at first and let the dog approach at their own pace. Once they seem comfortable, guests can offer a treat or gentle petting. Ask guests to avoid bending down over your pup, making direct eye contact, or using high-pitched voices.
4. Manage Their Bladder
Even though submissive peeing is emotional, a full bladder makes it worse. Take your pup out for frequent potty breaks so they’re less likely to dribble during greetings or excitement.
5. Recognize Any Dominance Issues
A lack of clear leadership can make some dogs feel insecure. Make sure you’re setting gentle but firm boundaries. Dogs that feel confident in their place in the “pack” are less likely to feel the need to use submission tactics like peeing.
6. Gradually Desensitize Them
If certain triggers (like loud voices, sudden movements, or bending over them) cause peeing, work on desensitizing your dog. Slowly introduce these triggers in a controlled way and reward them for staying relaxed.
7. Try Belly Bands or Pee Pads (Temporarily!)
If you’re dealing with frequent accidents, using belly bands (for males) or pee pads in high-risk areas can save your floors while you work on training. Just don’t rely on them as a permanent fix!
Storytail Dogs: Ethical Cavapoo & Maltipoo Breeder in Pennsylvania
At Storytail Dogs, we understand that temperament plays a huge role in a puppy’s development. As an ethical Cavapoo breeder in Pennsylvania and an ethical Maltipoo breeder in Pennsylvania, we focus on early socialization, confidence-building, and positive reinforcement to help prevent issues like submissive peeing before they even start. Our puppies are raised in a loving home environment, introduced to different sounds, people, and experiences, and matched carefully with families based on their personalities.
If you’re looking for a well-adjusted, happy toy breed puppy, we’d love to help you find the perfect fit for your home! You can see our available puppies here https://storytaildogs.com/puppies-available
Final Thoughts on Submissive Peeing in Toy Breeds
Dealing with submissive peeing in toy breeds can be frustrating, but remember—it’s not a housebreaking issue, and your pup isn’t doing it on purpose. With a little patience, confidence-building, and a calm approach, your small but mighty dog can overcome this phase.
Have you dealt with submissive peeing in your dog? What worked for you? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your experiences!
UC Davis Veterinary School of Medicine-“Submissive and Excitement Urination in Dogs”- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk491/files/inline-files/Submissive_and_Excitement_Urination_in_Dogs.pdf
