New Member

Posts: 8
From:Sharpsburg, GA USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-14-2003 11:04 AM         

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I've got a 5 months old Shih Tzu who pees on everything (including me), whenever he's gets touched or even excited. Its hard to correct him, when he does it while playing with my other puppy, running, wagging his tail and so on. Does anyone know how handle this problem? well, apart from the obvious professional training (which will run me $189 for 4 weeks).

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-14-2003 11:51 AM         

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$189 for 4 weeks! I think you can find puppy classes, good ones for less than that. It's $120 for 8 weeks here and thats with a really wonderful trainer. PetsMart offers puppy classes for something like $80 for 6-8 weeks. Anyhow, does the puppy act submissive when peeing? Do the low to the ground wiggling...kind of cower a bit? Skulk? or is this out of control excitement and the pee just dribbles? If it's submissive peeing, puppy classes will help build confidence and you will probably see the problem disapate over time. You can also change the way you do a couple things to help...don't hover, stand or bend over your pup, stand back a bit squat down low and call the pup to you in a kind voice, maybe tone down the excitment in your voice. Make sure you don't speak in a harsh tone to the pup that may trigger submissiveness. Put the puppy out to potty more often, move slower when you do approach the pup. You can also do confidence building excercises using treats and praise as reward. Make sure you always set the pup up to succeed so it is always a possitive experience. Ask for a sit, come, etc....
I have a friend who had an Australian Shepherd mix... they are a pretty poor match dog/owner wise because the dog is submissive and sensitive, the owner is loud and quick to yell. Even when she is not angry..her voice is booming. The dog has become even more submissive since she got it. She is trying to tone her voice and body language down and it really is helping. I love this woman to death, but man she could scare the pants off of King Kong.
Some dogs are just more sensitive to activity, noise and tone, body language says alot to these dogs.
I hope someone else chimes in on this with more and better advice for you.

PS a vet check would be a good idea just to make sure there are no physical reasons for the "leaking".

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Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 12-14-2003 11:55 AM         

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It sounds like submissive urination and "correcting" this behavior will most likely make it worse. This is common in puppies and they often grow out of it.

This site explains it well and has tips on controling the problem: http://www.dogdaysusa.com/behaviorcenter_urination.asp

[This message has been edited by nern (edited 12-14-2003).]

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New Member

Posts: 8
From:Sharpsburg, GA USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-15-2003 07:48 AM         

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I just enrolled both my puppies into obedience and potty training school. They will charge me $600.00 for both dogs (which includes boarding). I will have to fly New York to have them trained. Don't worry about them, They will be in the. hands of my brother-in-law, he's an excellent [certified] dog trainer.

Janny.

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