A few concerns about Lucky...

[saintjordan96]

When our dog Lucky gets excited and is around people, when they pet him or show any excitement toward him, he pees all over the place. Also, when we leave him in the house by himself, he will poop in the house. And finally, he barks constantly at everything he sees and goes completely berserk. How do I remedy these problems?


Thanks much!
saintjordan96

[flafox67]

Sorry to say I don't have any advice for you, but I'm sure you'll get plenty of good advice here. My Sophie piddles when she gets excited. Don't have any issues with the pooping (but then Sophie don't have freedom of the house when no one is home), and I've never had a barking issue with her.

[Britster]

There was a thread recently on the submissive peeing, you can do a search and find some good info about it. My dad had a dog that did this until she was one year of age and then it just stopped. We started to not say anything to her when we walked in the house, completely ignore her, no touch, no talk, no eye contact and she eventually stopped. When you walk in the house like "Ohhh hi!! I missed you!! My baby!!" it just adds to her already excited state and makes it worse, thus pee on the floor.

The pooping while you're gone... do you give him free roam? If he's a pup, he really should be crated or kept in an ex-pen. Even if he's not a pup, if he's pooping while you're gone... I would not give him freedom. Ex-pen may be the way to go. Naturally, dogs usually won't potty in their sleeping den, so usually this will help a lot. Gradually give him more and more freedom until he's reliable.

Barking... can be tricky if it's already escalated to a certain point. But when you're in the house, get an empty soda can and fill it with some pennies. Shake the can every time he barks and say "Quiet!" Usually dogs don't like the sound and will stop. When you associate the word "Quiet!" with the shaking of the can, they will learn to eventually stop just when you say Quiet.

If he barks on walks while walking past other dogs, etc, just stay totally calm and collected and gently lead him in another direction. Out of sight, out of mind.

I highly recommend the TV shows Dog Whisperer (National Geographic channel) and It's Me or the Dog (Animal Planet)

[saintjordan96]

We will try that. Thank you! One more question, how do we keep him from running out of the door when he sees something?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by saintjordan96

We will try that. Thank you! One more question, how do we keep him from running out of the door when he sees something?

This one will probably takes loads of patience and practice, but it can be done. Teach him the sit and stay command. Teach him to sit whenever the door is open and to stay... treat him whenever he doesn't shoot out the door.

[saintjordan96]

Thank you soo much!!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by saintjordan96

Thank you soo much!!

Let us know how it goes!

Maybe you can put some kind of gate or ex-pen outside the front door while you're practicing just in CASE he decides to dart off?

But for a few minutes each day, practice with the Sit & Stay, and then you walk farther and farther away and get him to stay longer and longer. Treat him every time he stays!

[Sway Says]

Originally Posted by saintjordan96

When our dog Lucky gets excited and is around people, when they pet him or show any excitement toward him, he pees all over the place.

Harley used to do that too. It's called submissive urination. Dogs have no control over it. When they get very excited they pee a little bit to show that they respect your alpha status and they're happy you've returned. This can also be for an opposite feeling. If you have a dog that is constantly punished instead of disciplined they might do submissive urination so to say "I know that you're the master, I don't want any trouble here. You're in control."

This works in the dog world but is icky to us humans. So what you need to do is to stop having emotional hellos and goodbyes. Your coming and goings should be completely unemotional and nonchalant.

When you leave don't rub your dog for an hour and tell her goodbye and cry and cuddle her and tell her you'll be back soon. She'll be too anxtious for you to get back and this could lead to seperation anxiety, or as it is now, submissive peeing. So when you come home or leave always be brief. Maybe a quick pat (if that) and leave.

When you get home if your dog is off the walls with joy at your return completely ignore her until she calms down completely. And then do not pet her or show her love until she has all her paws on the floor. Do this for a few weeks and I promise she'll quit.

Also do not be ashamed to tell others who see your adorable baby that they are NOT to pet her enthusiastically. I know that we had a few relapses in PetSmart because a lady unleashed her kid on my dog. Then I had a cleanup on aisle four...

Also, when we leave him in the house by himself, he will poop in the house.

Crate him or confine him to the kitchen or bathroom or x-pen. Harley stays in the bathroom with a separate area for sleep, food and pee-pee pad. I taught him how to use the pad by area training him. He only got so much space in the bathroom at first. Once he used the pad consistently instead of the other area I removed the baby gate and the area got bigger until he only peed on the pad.

And finally, he barks constantly at everything he sees and goes completely berserk. How do I remedy these problems?

Shake can. Shake it baby!

One more question, how do we keep him from running out of the door when he sees something?

To do this you need an assistant. Harley, his Shih Tzu friend, Sasha and I actually worked on this today!

Okay so you need treats. Lots of treats. Find a place where you want the dog to sit and wait when the door opens. He should sit and be told to stay. (He should be leashed in case he bolts out of the door. Also if you really don't want to risk any trouble use an interior door like the door to the bathroom and then work up to the front door).

Okay so you hold the limp leash and tell him to sit-stay. Crack the door open. If he moves instantly snap the door shut, say no! And start over. Sit-stay. Crack the door. Dog doesn't move. Treat, praise, love. Try again. If he moves always correct him and tell him to stay. (Never open the door if he is not already sitting). If he stays, he gets a tasty treat. Slowly increase how far you open the door until you can open the door completely with him sitting pretty.

Then if you want to get fancy (and I know you do) you can up the ante. Have your assistant (who has been outside to help you corral your dog in case he escapes) help you with Part Two. Have your assistant walk past the open door. Your dog is probably going to bolt for said person (especially if it's a person they know and love). Correction. Try again until they sit pretty.

Then the final goal is to have your assistant help you with Part Three. Have the assistant knock on the door. Get your dog under control to the point that they can sit and stay in the given area without moving a paw until you have greeted your guest and ushered them in.

Basically your dog should learn that every time the door opens... it doesn't open for them.

Good luck!