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Dear Cathy,

My six-year-old Aussie Doodle gets so excited she urinates when a female guest visits and shows her some attention. When she is ignored, she jumps on that person. How can I stop this behavior?

— Elaine, Westbury, New York

Dear Elaine,

The first behavior – urinating when a guest pays attention to your dog – is known as submissive urination. It’s fairly common in excitable or sensitive dogs and is their way of showing deference or appeasement.

This isn’t a housebreaking problem; it’s an involuntary response to excitement or social pressure. While it can happen with both male and female guests, it’s more commonly triggered by men, as dogs often find their presence more intimidating. In your case, it’s interesting that the behavior occurs primarily with women, which could be tied to a specific past experience.

To manage this, keep greetings as low-key as possible. Ask guests to ignore her when they first arrive: no direct eye contact, excited voices, or immediate petting. Give her time to settle before any interaction. One helpful tactic is to ask guests to toss her a treat instead of bending down to pet her. For many dogs, the act of someone reaching over them can feel threatening and trigger submissive behavior. Tossing a treat shifts the interaction to something positive and removes that pressure.

The same applies to you and your family. When you come home, avoid enthusiastic greetings. If she rolls on her back, resist the urge to pet her, as that is often when the urination occurs. Instead, sit down and call her to you. If she drops and rolls, turn away so she can’t see your face. She will likely sit up again to check in with you. When she does, that’s the right moment to re-engage her gently.

Building her confidence is key. Teach her to “sit” or “stay” during greetings and reward her for calm behavior. Most importantly, don’t scold or punish as this will only increase her anxiety and make the behavior worse.

Jumping is a training issue. The key is to remove the reward for jumping, which is attention. If she jumps, guests should turn their back and step away without speaking. Even saying “no” can reinforce the behavior because it’s still attention.

At the same time, reward the behavior you do want. When she keeps all four paws on the ground, give her calm praise or a treat. You can also keep her on a leash when guests arrive, which allows you to redirect her into a “sit” before she jumps. Teaching a reliable “sit” or “place” cue is important. If she sits, she gets attention. If she jumps, she’s ignored.

With consistent practice, a calm environment, and positive reinforcement, your dog can learn to greet guests in a more appropriate and confident way.

Dear Cathy,

I noticed that one of my budgies has what looks like hard skin around his eyes. Is this normal?

– Sheila, Cornwall, England

Dear Sheila,

Sometimes budgies develop a bit of dry skin or keratin buildup around their eyes, especially during molting. However, if the area looks thick, crusty, or inflamed, it could be a sign of a health issue, such as scaly face mites, an infection, or a vitamin deficiency.

Since eye issues can worsen if left untreated, I recommend having your budgie examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause and best treatment. In the meantime, be sure your bird has a balanced diet with fresh vegetables and a cuttlebone for added nutrients. If he’s rubbing his face frequently or seems uncomfortable, that’s another sign a vet visit is needed.

Dear Cathy,

Many of your readers write in about litter box problems. I once had a cat that went outside the litter box. My vet suggested Prozac. We tried it, and the inappropriate peeing stopped completely.

— Vicki, Vero Beach, Florida

Dear Vicki,

Thank you for sharing your experience. When it comes to litter box issues, medication like Prozac can sometimes help, especially when anxiety, grief, or big changes in the home are involved. That said, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

It's always important to rule out medical problems first, such as urinary tract infections or arthritis, which can make using the box painful. In multi-cat homes, subtle tension between cats can also be a factor. In those cases, pheromone diffusers designed for multi-cat households may help reduce stress.

Box location, cleanliness, and the type of litter can also affect a cat’s willingness to use it. With careful observation and a bit of trial and error, most cat parents can find the solution that works best for their feline friend.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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