Why does my dog pee when she sees a certain person?

If your dog urinates when a particular person arrives, it can feel embarrassing and confusing—but understanding why it happens and what to do can protect your dog’s welfare, your home, and the comfort of visitors.

Why you should care: how your dog’s reaction affects her well‑being and your relationships

Noticing your dog pee in response to a specific person matters because it often signals a social or medical issue that affects daily life. I frequently see this with household members, visiting guests, or delivery workers; the event can range from a tiny damp spot to a full accident depending on the dog and the trigger. Beyond the practical cleanup, repeated episodes can strain relationships—owners may feel guilty or embarrassed, and visitors can be put off, which undermines a dog’s opportunities for calm, positive social contact.

Addressing it is important for three practical reasons: the dog’s welfare (repeated stress or physical problems should be resolved), hygiene in the home, and visitor comfort. Left unaddressed, what began as a submissive or excited response may become reinforced or associated with new contexts, so a timely plan both helps the dog and keeps your household running smoothly.

What to know right now — a brief, practical overview

Most commonly this behavior is linked to submissive signaling or excitement, but it may also reflect marking or an underlying medical issue; initial steps are to stay calm, avoid punishment, gently remove the dog from the stimulus, and seek veterinary evaluation if the pattern is new or accompanied by other signs. Submissive urination often presents as a low, small-volume leak when a person leans over, reaches toward, or greets a dog; excitement urination tends to occur during overly enthusiastic greetings. If an adult dog who has been reliably house-trained suddenly starts having accidents, or if urination is painful or frequent, that may suggest a medical problem such as a urinary tract infection, incontinence, or other health concerns requiring a vet visit.

How dogs communicate: behavior, hormones and the body’s signals

When dogs urinate in social situations, the behavior usually has a communicative or physiological basis rather than being intentional “naughtiness.” Submissive urination is a low, involuntary release that appears to reduce tension between the dog and a perceived higher-ranking individual; it may be more common in dogs that are naturally conflict-avoiding or have learned to show deference to people who use direct posture or high-energy greetings.

Excitement urination, by contrast, is a loss of bladder control driven by high arousal. Puppies and young dogs often display this because their nervous systems and bladder control are still developing; some adult dogs retain this pattern under very intense arousal. Scent recognition and social hierarchy also play roles: a person’s smell, voice, or body language may cue submission in a dog with prior experience of that individual being dominant, very excited, or unpredictable.

Age-related incontinence and medical contributors should not be overlooked. Older dogs may develop decreasing sphincter tone or neurological changes that make holding urine difficult, and infections, stones, or hormonal conditions can increase frequency or urgency. Observing whether accidents are tied to specific social cues or occur in multiple contexts helps separate behavioral causes from medical ones.

Common triggers: the people, places and subtle cues that set it off

Specific cues from a person are often the immediate trigger: a tall posture, direct eye contact, looming over the dog, a deep or high-pitched voice, rapid hand movements, or a familiar scent can all provoke a submissive or excited response. I typically see dogs react when someone reaches over their head, crouches quickly to pet them, or rushes in with high-volume greeting language.

How a person greets the dog and how close they get matters. Fast, face-to-face approaches and intense petting usually increase the risk of an accident, while calm, low-body-posture approaches reduce it. The physical location and past incidents shape expectations, too: if an accident happened at the front door once, the dog may begin to anticipate and repeat the response when anyone arrives at that spot.

Timing and physiological state influence outcomes. A dog who is already near the time they would normally eliminate, who has just finished running, or who is experiencing bladder fullness may be more likely to urinate during a greeting. Conversely, a dog that has recently eliminated and is in a calm state is less likely to have an episode even if the same person approaches.

When to worry: medical red flags and urgent signs to watch for

While many cases are behavioral, some signs point to a medical issue and should prompt veterinary evaluation. A sudden onset of accidents in a previously reliably housetrained adult dog is a red flag. Signs that urination is painful, contains blood, requires straining, or is unusually frequent suggest infection, stones, or urinary tract inflammation.

Worsening accidents across multiple contexts—not only around one person—or additional changes such as loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, vomiting, or incoordination suggest systemic illness. If you notice any of these, it is reasonable to collect a urine sample if possible and contact your veterinarian promptly for diagnostic testing and treatment recommendations.

Practical owner actions you can start today

When an episode occurs or is likely to occur, follow a calm, predictable sequence: First, remain neutral—do not scold, raise your voice, or physically punish the dog; that typically increases anxiety and reinforces the problem. Second, calmly remove the dog to a quiet, safe area where they can settle; moving away from the trigger reduces arousal. Third, give the dog time to relax; low-key praise or a small, calm food reward for settling is appropriate, but avoid exuberant celebration that could re-trigger excitement urination.

Next, take the dog outside to an appropriate place to eliminate; if they do, mark the behavior with gentle praise to reinforce proper toileting. Keep notes about timing, the person involved, the greeting context, and any preceding actions—this record helps you and professionals spot patterns. If you observe medical red flags (painful urination, blood, sudden change in frequency), contact your veterinarian and bring your notes and, if possible, a fresh urine sample for testing.

Training strategies and home adjustments that reduce incidents

Over time, a combination of desensitization, counterconditioning, and confidence-building tends to reduce submissive and excitement urination. Controlled, low-intensity introductions are the foundation: ask the person who triggers the response to approach slowly, avoid direct eye contact, remain sideways rather than looming, and toss a high-value treat to the dog at a comfortable distance before reaching out. Gradually decrease the distance as the dog stays calm. I typically increase duration only when the dog shows consistent calm for several sessions.

Counterconditioning pairs the person’s approach with positive outcomes so the dog begins to expect good things. For example, have the person drop a tasty treat from a short distance each time they appear, then step back; the dog receives the treat without forced physical contact. Confidence-building exercises such as brief obedience training, target work, or nose games give the dog a sense of control and can reduce generalized anxiety that contributes to urination.

Structure and management are also important: maintain a consistent toileting schedule, limit the chance of accidents during retraining by using baby gates or supervised areas, and avoid situations that repeatedly trigger the behavior until progress is made. If a dog is extreme in their response, a professional trainer or behaviorist can design a stepwise program tailored to the dog’s temperament and history.

Helpful tools, cleaning supplies and management gear

Certain items make management and training easier and safer. Enzyme-based cleaners are essential because they remove urine odor molecules that otherwise encourage re-marking; clean thoroughly and allow time for the product to work according to instructions. Baby gates or a properly sized crate provide controlled space for the dog to settle during arrivals or visits without feeling cornered.

Absorbent pads or washable rugs can protect floors during early retraining phases, but they should be used temporarily while working toward consistent elimination outdoors. Calming pheromone diffusers may help some dogs reduce background anxiety; they are not a cure but can be a useful adjunct. A secure, comfortable harness with a front-clip option can offer gentle control during greeting practice without pulling on the neck, which might escalate stress in some dogs.

Who to consult — vets, behaviorists and trusted authorities

For a medical diagnosis, start with your regular veterinarian who can run urine testing, neurological checks, and basic bloodwork. If the problem appears behavioral or persists after medical causes are ruled out, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) can provide a combined medical-behavioral perspective. Certified professional trainers (CPDT) and consultants certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) can implement practical counterconditioning and desensitization plans under veterinary guidance when needed.

Behavior textbooks and peer-reviewed reviews provide the evidence base behind recommendations; in difficult or stubborn cases, local shelter behavior programs and behavior hotlines can offer practical, experience-based strategies and sometimes short-term supervised sessions to guide owners through the initial steps.

Sources and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Urinary Incontinence in Dogs” — Merck & Co., Inc., section on canine urinary tract disorders.
• Overall, Karen L. Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals, 2nd Edition, Elsevier, 2013 — comprehensive coverage of canine behavior problems including submissive and excitement urination.
• Horwitz, Debra F. and Mills, Daniel S., editors. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine, 2nd Edition, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2017 — practical clinical approaches to behavior cases.
• Lindsay, Steven R. Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Volume One: Adaptation and Learning, Wiley-Blackwell, 2000 — training methods and counterconditioning techniques.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “House-soiling and Troubleshooting” resources and client education materials for owners dealing with elimination problems.