How to stop my scared German Shepherd from peeing when approached?

As with any symptom like this, and with any new pet, an initial exam with your vet to rule out health issues is a good first step. That said, submissive urination like this is very common in puppies or dogs that are unsure of the situation, and if Layla is still new to the home, this could be the case. It may resolve on its own after some time once she gets used to you and your routines. Maintaining a routine, staying calm, and interacting with Layla on easy to clean surfaces can help during the transition.

Many people assume a dog who seems scared was abused, but most often these dogs actually just lacked socialization at a critical age of development as puppies. I cannot say for certaint that is the case, but it is quite common. German shepherds unfortunately also have a tendency to be fearful if unsocialized. If this is happening so frequently I would recommend bringing her in to the vet to discuss the issue. They may recommend a behaviorist or specialized trainer, and/or antianxiety medication to help her be a happier pup!

Oh dear, poor Axel! Some dogs have innately anxious and nervous personalities, and German Shepherds (it appears that Axel has a fair amount of Shepherd in him from the pictures!) are known for anxiety issues. Continue gently trying to socialize Axel with new people and surroundings, and offer small treats and gentle encouragement as he is introduced to a new situation. Some dogs also benefit from thunder shirts ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24037 ) for anxiety, as well as calming pheromone collars or diffusers ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=33000 ). If all else fails, consider consulting a veterinary behaviorist to discuss behavioral modifications to try at home, and possible anti-anxiety medication. I hope that all goes well!

My heart hurts for this poor dog! It sounds like she is suffering from submissive urination, and this will take time and training to fix. Do not make a big deal when you come home. Come in quietly, greet Abby softly, and let her approach you. If you make a loud noise or rush right over to her, that can lead to the submissive urination. Don't comfort her when she cowers. While you think you are helping her, you are actually teaching her that it's ok to behave this way. Comforting her reinforces the behavior. When people come over, I'd put her in a crate. It needs to be big enough for her to stand up and turn around in. This will give her a safe space of her own. Don't let people approach the crate, give her space. Patience is key in dealing with these dogs, and losing your temper will make the problem worse. Speak to a vet about getting a referral to a professional behavioral expert to help with this problem. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

It sounds like Ellie is having some generalized anxiety and probably being over protective of you as well. I would recommend making sure she gets plenty of exercise as this can help drain some of her nervous energy. It would also be helpful if you could exercise her before youbhad company. This may help her to be more relaxed. It may also be helpful to get a pheromone diffuser. These typically plug into the wall and release a scent that is calming for dogs. You can purchase them at a pet store or on Amazon.com. You may also want to consider talking to your vet about an antianxiety medication for her if the behavior is becoming very problematic. I hope this helps. Best of luck.

George is very lucky that you rescued him. There are a lot of options for anxiety and stress in dogs. It can vary from prescription medications to herbal supplements to wraps to decrease anxiety. I have attached a link below with some of the options. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids Some of my favorites include the Adaptil (Comfort Zone) collar and the thundershirt. I would recommend discussing this with your veterinarian to decide if medication seems like the right option for George right now for long term use or just for certain stressful times. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hello. I would start with an over the counter anxiety product like Zylkene. I would also start using a dog appeasing pheromone in the home ( room diffuser ) or it comes as a collar. The pheromone can calm an anxious dog without drugs. Adaptil is the name of this product. If this does not help over the course of a couple of weeks, you will need to talk to your vet about possible behavior modification therapy & the use of prescription medications like Trazodone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.