Why might a dog submissively urinate during encounters?

Submissive urination in dogs is primarily a behavioral response to fear or perceived dominance. This response is typically observed in situations where a dog feels overwhelmed, intimidated, or anxious, often in the presence of a person or another dog that they view as dominant. By urinating, the dog may be signaling submission or a desire to appease the more dominant figure in the interaction, demonstrating their non-threatening intentions.

This behavior can stem from a dog’s early experiences and socialization, particularly if they have faced fearful situations or have been harshly punished in the past. Understanding this helps handlers address and manage the behavior appropriately, rather than mistakenly interpreting it as a sign of happiness or attention-seeking, which relate to different underlying emotions and motivations in dogs.