submissive urination

we keep our 16 week old puppy in the bathroom which is tiled while we are gone for a few hours, and she does great holding until we get home and she gets excited and goes all over.. we have tried ignoring her until she is calmer, but whether we are in the room or not, once she knows we are home she goes crazy and makes a mess.

Any advice would be appreciated. If I pick her up or let her out to go to the door, she is going on the way..

thank you.




Hi
It sounds as though your puppy's bladder is filled to overflowing by the time you come home, and the excitement of your return is just too much for her.

At 16 weeks old she still has very limited control, and to hold it while in the bathroom for several hours is very impressive.

Keeping your homecoming low key, not making eye contact etc., helps to keep her excitement down a little, but because she's so desperate to 'go' it won't totally cure the problem. I do advise you to go immediately to let her out when you get home though.

Perhaps you could try a series of shorter absences , when her bladder isn't so full she will handle it better. Puppies are creatures of habit and learn through repetition, the more practice she has at this the better.

You could also try a crate, rather than the bathroom, and put it right by the door you use to take her outside. Take her out immediately you come home and maybe that will limit the 'mess', plus the shorter distance to the potty spot will help.

This is something she will grow out of in time, and although it's frustrating for you she can't help it. Handle it as best you can and try to ignore it, given time and maturity it will pass.

Good luck!