We have just rescued a pup about 5 months old (says our vet). He has gotten a clean bill of health from the vet and everything is going very well... Except for one problem. He is potty trained and knows to go outside on the grass, but whenever we approach his crate to take him out, he pees. Not a lot, just a bit, but enough to make us have to change our shirts and his blanket. We pick him up when we take him out so he doesn't leave a trail through our apartment and in the lift. I have had many dogs and know a bit about training but I feel like I could use some advice here. Any words of wisdom to stop this behavior would be appreciated.

This is what I have done thus far:
1) Calmly watch Tv or read a book for a bit beside his cage before taking him out.
2) Take him out more often, once every hour.
3) I don't take the leash into the room with me so he doesn't know we're going for a walk.
4) I stern "NO" when he pees and lots of praise when he pees on the grass.

Cheers in advance for any help.

If he is a rescue dog it is most likely caused by fear. A lot of dogs will involuntarily urinate when you try to pick them up if they are nervous or think you are going to do something bad to them.
Keeping a dog clean in an apartment is hard, my back door is always open so ours have outside access all the time... hopefully someone who lives in an apartment can give you some tips.

I can't really say much more without more info...
Does the puppy do it every time you pick it up?
Is he always in the crate or is it only at bedtime?

Thanks for the quick reply. He stays in a glassed in shower area while we are at work with room to play. He does eliminate in there but that is to be expected (although he has been holding until we get home for the last couple of days). He generally stays in the crate in the evenings with breaks outside almost every hour. When he is outside or on our rooftop balcony and I pick him up he is fine. It's not when I pick him up that he pees, but more when I am opening the door and getting him ready to go outside. I believe he knows it's "potty time" and just starts going. I am trying very hard not to get frustrated as I know this could make matters worse.

Personally I think he's being confined too much but that's not to do with the peeing, just my opinion.

That's a very strange case... the only thing I can think of would be to train him to use puppy pads inside. They have plastic backing to protect your carpet and the top layer is absorbent and eliminates odors.

If that is not really practical then you could try having play time before he goes out, make it so when he is let out of the crate it's not time to go to the toilet but time to play then after you have played for a while, take him outside. If he does pee when you go to take him outside keep saying 'NO' in your angry voice as you have been doing.

Just out of cuiriosity how large is the shower? Do you leave toys and water?
Also how long is he in the crate for (average time per day)?

Always please try to remember that many rescued animals have a maybe not so good past and although we for the most part don't know what that past is the best thing to do is always try new things and see the response you get from the animal. The pets past such as kenneling and crating in itself can bring the animal to have a created stress from past experiences. I would have to ask when you are home why is the animal confined, that is going to be the bonding time with the animal. Also, understand that before you saved him from that lifestyle the animals are crated and confined so that brings a scary feeling of abandonment for them. The animal also needs time to realize that you will be his home for good and not bounced around. Think of all the so close but not close enoughs that those rescued dogs go through so the animal gets scared not knowing when you pick him up if he's going to be bounced around to a different place or crate. I feel and just my opinion like I've said in past posts I am and have been involved in animal rescue for many years and all the animals need time to adjust and establish a routine that they never had before. I truly feel his urinating is fear and will subside when he establishes the comfort, usually rescued animals need at least 90 days to start their way to a new lifestyle. Be patient and stay consistent and enjoy your new blessing, keep your pet close to you when you are home allowing him time to bond with you.

Thank you all for the responses, very helpful. Sorry for the misinformation but I rescued this dog right from the streets of Taipei Taiwan. He was a stray. The crate training was just for the potty training period which has finished and he is doing very well. When I can not keep my eye on him, he is left with my other 2 year old dog on our balcony/rooftop which is 10 ft by 30 ft, so he has a lot of room to play.

Now, buddy is going strong. He has been desexed and the vet says he is in great health. His problem of peeing when he sees me has almost all but disappeared which is great news. The only remaining problem is he still gets very submissive and pees only when it is walk time. He still saves the real pee for outside but pees a bit and looks horrified. I'm sure this will disappear as well with more confidence and routine, but are there any other suggestions. Should I let him walk freely to the front door, or should I carry him? Should I leash him outside, at the front door or where he is hiding? Any suggestions here would be greatly appreciated. Cheers and again, thanks for the comments.

Thank you for the update zmikers! :)
That's great news that his problem is getting better, I'm sure with a bit more time it will be completely solved :)

As for whether to take him to the front door on lead or carying him.. that's up to the dog really... just perservere with him and see how he reacts best :)

Good on you for getting him de-sexed too ;)