Whenever anyone talks to my bitch she rolls on to her back and passes a small amount of urine. Why does she do this?

This behavior is a marked submissive response, and happens whenever very submissive dogs greet a human or a more dominant dog. It is believed to be derived from the infant puppy’s habit of urinating when stimulated by the licking of its mother.

Punishing such a dog for this act will be of no value at all. The animal is already being as deferential and self-effacing as possible. What is required is increased praise and affection for all behavior that meets with your approval, including praising the dog for not showing this submissive urination. The behavior is not confined to bitches, but does seem to occur in them much more often than in males.

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