My dog is a year and a half old Australian cattle dog mix. I adopted him a little while ago from a shelter, and at first things were fine. But now he has started to pee when I put a leash on him to take him out, at first I thought I was waiting to long to take him and he couldn't wait. But he does it every time, I scold him when he does, then take him outside, and if he goes outside I praise him. But it's only getting worse, and at this point sometimes he won't go until I bring him back in! Please help if you can!

It could have something to do with the leash possibly? A scare? He could have been hit with it in his last home, have you tried without the leash? Is it possible just to open the door step outside with him and then leash him? Maybe a harness would be a better choice.

I don't see an easy, obvious solution. This is much like submissive wetting. Start talking to him before you pick up the leash. Use a happy tone of voice. Act like you are really glad to be taking him out. Keep up the happy talk when you get outside. Continue to praise him for going outside. Keep him moving between stops to sniff. The exercise stimulates the need to go.

Try to build self confidence. Success and praise in obedience training is one way. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
A treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/. If he is already obedience trained, continue to work him, or move on the advanced obedience or agility.

Play tug of war with him and lose. At the end of the game, you take the toy or rope and put it up. Otherwise, you can undo the top dog idea.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made
Lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
Foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get
Them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch
Carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

I agree with Labman, it sounds like submissive wetting. Try changing your routine. It could be the If way you’re walking up on the dog as you are taking him out, it could be something as simple as the way you are looking at him or the tone in your voice. As Labman said happy talk, remain calm. Try talking to your vet and the shelter where you adopted him from. They should be able to help you solve your problem.


Rescue dogs are hard because you never really know what was done to them. I have a 4 year old Pit mix. Her name is Miss Piggy, she can hold her urine for ever but if I do not let her sleep with me at night she will urinate of defecate on the floor, she is now crate train problem solved. Listed below are two links you could try. I hope this was in some way helpful to you.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=169
http://www.peteducation.com