Dogs who leak urine when people approach may be easily excited or a bit fearful. Some people cry when they are emotional; some emotional dogs leak urine.

This messy tendency can be a genetic predisposition or a learned response. You can help your dog get over it, though, and here's how:

Postpone greetings to allow your dog to relax. Don't even look at your dog when you first get home. Wait a few minutes. Then take a few deep breaths and relax your muscle tone. Avoid looming over your dog to keep from frightening her.

When you're ready to say "hello," turn sideways, squat, and extend a hand for sniffing to help lower the dog's stress level, build confidence and work toward a leak-free greeting.

Animal behavior experts Susan and Roland Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.