The rule of thumb is to not do anything when your dog is bad, and reward him when he is good. My little guy is my first dog, too, and it can be very frustrating. I guess we all watch Lassie in the movies and assume our dog will be the same.
Here are some suggestions, but I'm not sure if everyone will agree with me. Let the little guy sleep with you. There are pros and cons to this, but it will help develop a bond. Also, get him into puppy school. It's good for the dog on a lot of levels, and he may get to see you in a different light.
The bottom line is that you are supposed to be the alpha, but through respect, not fear. Sometimes dogs will pee out of submission. This is a two sided coin. You want your dog to be submissive, but without the peeing. Realize that dogs can sense what you are feeling, and you can't fake it. They just know.
Dogs don't do things out of revenge, so I believe all this will work out. It will just take a little patience and it will be worth it. |