Another dog question (on using bathroom)

[Richard]

going back to someone dumping 2 apparent American Eskimo's on us, we've kept one it seems, Violet.

Wife told me that when you go to pick her up, she'll crouch down (I used the word cower) and she'll pee on floor/carpet, what ever she's on.

I only mildly belived her, so earlier when outside went to pick her up, she crouched (cowered) and as I started to touch her, she relived herself a little puddle.

curious, I let her go and did it again, again, she made a small puddle. Very intrigued, I did it again and again, a small puddle.

Hmm.. so much for me doubting the wife /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif When WILL I learn that they're always right. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Ok, so that said, the wife also informed me that "when you go to pick Violet up, if she crouches, she's going to pee, if however, she comes to you & jumps on your lap, she wont"

I havn't tried the above but in light of my way above experiement, I guess I'm forced to believe her.

Soooooooooooooooo

What might cause a dog, roughly 6 months old, to crouch/cower when you approach her and then to relieve herself every time? It SEEMS like she's nervous and scared, hence, our intitial thoughts of someone abusing her (forgetting the fact that they abandoned her/them)

I'm glad we figured this out before we had some messes on the nicer rugs and thought it was her being naughty and not essentially "our fault" (given that we can now change our behaviour)

Anyone know what gives?... anyone have a PHD in Dog Philosophy? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Not unusual submissive dog behavior.

Strict careful training will likely solve this problem. When a dog knows exactly what it's supposed to do it feels much more confident. So, you need a command sequence to help her with her confidence. Teach the dog sit. Then teach the dog stay. Then teach the dog a word for, "I'm going to pick you up." which you teach by repetitive use out side.

For now, try picking the dog up with out looking at her and without apparently paying any attention to her at all, (but still use the command you've decided on.)

Of course, never yell at or scold the dog for this, that will make it worse. Odds are, the dog has not a clue that it's even happening.

It is possible that this is exacerbated by some medical problem like a bladder infection and you may want to ask your vet for advice.

Cliff

 

[BWa]

Another possibility is that the dog has been abused , ..you have said it looked afraid when you went to pick it up ,,,, what may have happened is that one parent /person got them or are part of an unwanted litter and after so much they have been just droppped off to get out of their problem .... hopefully this is not the case and that in time and training she will be the good pet they are .... Good Luck
boill g.

 

[tillerkiller]

My dog did the same thing for the longest time. The fellow that had him before me always hollered at him so it took him a long time to 'mellow out'.

The funniest thing is that he is the most well behaved dog I have ever had. Why somebody would holler at him is something that I will never understand. He would sooner bust than leave a mess on the floor.

We have had him for 4 years now, he sure has brought us a lot of good times.

ps.... an old man once told me to 'get a long little doggie' and so I did, I got a weinie dog!

 

[BigDave]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It SEEMS like she's nervous and scared )</font>

I think you nailed the problem. I don't think this is too uncommon in abandoned dogs. Dogs are loyal & loving creatures that are too often abused & discarded by their owners. Even young dogs build relationships. Violet is new to you and your home, and probably a little nervous. My last dog was a second hand dog and had the same problem at first. She got over the nervous peeing after a while, but there were some things she never get over. I basically had to stop using a fly swatter for about 9 years. Killing flies with a rolled up newspaper didn't bother her too much, but if I even picked up a fly swatter, she took off running. I could take a guess what her SOB owner did to punish her. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Please give Violet some time to get comfortable. Try not to pick her up too much in the beginning & she'll do just fine.

 

[Freds]

Whether or not she has been abused... that is a clear sign of submissive behavior and her letting you know that you're the boss. Younger dogs do it quite frequently around older dogs, too. It seems to me that it happens more frequently with females.
Your body posture is important besides avoiding eye contact. Crouch down sideways to her and try to let her come to you and "scoop" her up rather than standing over her and reaching down over her (if that's the case). Maybe let her win a few games of tug, too. Anything to bolster her confidence.
Most dogs grow out of it.

 

[BobReeves]

Speaking of fly swatters, our dog is also deathly afraid of the darn things. The funny part is we have had her since she was 6 weeks old, know the people that had the mom and I know first hand she has never been hit with anything.

The wife says the dog can hear the fly's squeal when they die but I don't quite buy that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Junkman]

The rapid motion of the fly swatter causes a turbulence in the air that causes a sound that only the dog can hear. This is why they don't like fly swatters. This is also why some flies get away. They know what is coming from past experience. They are quick learners if they don't get caught the first time.

 

[Richard]

Some interesting comments on the dogs, thanks /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm going to print this out & let the wifey read it so at least she & I are on the same page.

I DO sense a high degree of submissiveness with Chloe (yes, the wife changed the name this morning /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

I told her we need to make up our (her) mind and stick with it so that Violet/Chloe doesn't get confused.

Anyway, I spent couple hours with her today trying to teach her to sit/come/lay. I also just simply layed on the floor with her playing around. She seems sooooooooooooooooooooo eager to please.

I really dont understand why anyone would dump a sweet dog like this out in the woods. It just defies my logic how someone can be so callus & uncaring.

Anyway, I guess with patience & love, we got another diamond in the ruff (pun intended) on our hands.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BigDave]

Interesting comments on the fly swatters. Maybe there's one less SOB in the world by my count. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif