My Pup Has A Couple Of Problems! Help Plz!

[Blai213]

Hi guys,

Not sure if my dog is considered a pup, about 11 months old staffy but I don't think its fully grown.

We didn't take it to puppy school unfortunately, but we did hire someone from dogtech to help teach us train him a month or so ago. Everything seems to be going him but there are a few problems I hope u guys can help me with:

1. He pees whenever he is excited (maybe when scared), such as whenever i go to open a window or a door he will run around and leave a trail of urine. This gets really troublesome when say I go out to get him and he may pee on my foot accidently. Also the main reason we cant let him in the house much.

2. He poos half the time as if he doesnt realise he is doing it. He will poo while he is walking/running/and sometimes even when he is eating!!! He even poos were he eats (although this hasn't happened recently).

3. This isnt that important, but I'm training him atm on the leash, and he is great, but as soon he is off the leash he doesnt listen much and doesnt concentrate and is way too energetic. But im assuming this can be fixed with continual training.

So my main problems are the first 2. If anyone can help or knows anyone who can help it will be greatly appreciated. We have taken it to the vet and they have told us that its normal and they should grow out of the peeing, but that was a while ago, it should have grown out of it by now. I don't hit the dog, but we do have another dog that is quite dominant and they have fought before esp over food. I'm thinking it may be submissive peeing caused from the other dogs dominance maybe?

Anyway, hope it can be fixed! and his name is Tyson, a little runt but we love him nonetheless ! just want it fixed so we can let him in the house more.

[cavNrott]

I would agree that it's submissive peeing and also some excitement peeing. I suggest you enrol in an obedience club. That will afford you the chance to bond with your dog. (BTW he's not an IT) He will also gain socialisation in the training environment by being around other dogs and people.

If you allow him in the house with you it will also strengthen your bond with him and he will probably become more confident. I add a disclaimer here that this is my opinion because I think dogs should be inside with their family. I don't really like the idea of dogs being left outside in the yard.

May I ask why you have this puppy chained up outside? He looks such a sweet little fella.

[puggy_puggy]

I to would suggest joining an obedience club with him. I may be wrong but most are about $60 a year.

Staffies love to be with thier humans. I feel sorry for him having to be outside all the time. This is probably contributed to his peeing and pooing problems. Can you have him inside and start all over again with toilet training? Maybe get a puppy pen or gate off areas that are carpeted. Take him ouside evry hour and encourage him to toilet and reward him when he does.

There is a drug on the market that vets will use for animals that pee in excitment. Maybe have a chat to your vet about this.

[Blai213]

Thanks for the input guys. Puggy, do you know the name of the drug? Thanks

Well, just to clarify its NOT chained up in the yard, that picture was taken when it was on its leash at the beach.

Edited August 1, 2008 by Blai213

[Tonymc]

Blai, its never wise to drug any animal as all it usually achieve's is to mask the real problem.Firstly have a read through of K9's Puppy development info on this site.

A big help for you would be to read "Natural dog training" by Kevin Behan.

When this dog gets excited are you shutting him down?One has to be careful when doing this as it can teach a dog that its not safe to express drive around the owner.The end result is alot of resistance towards the owner.

Blai,just because a dog responds a certain way on a leash,is no guarantee he will respond the same way off leash.I would be starting to get into distraction training.

How much stimulation does this dog get and what outlet for drive has he got? Tony

[LoremIpsum]

I'm just a beginner, and other people will advise you better than I, but here goes.

Firstly, have you tried clicker training? I'm a recent convert and I'm finding it REALLY useful. Martha loves it too.

1. He pees whenever he is excited (maybe when scared), such as whenever i go to open a window or a door he will run around and leave a trail of urine. This gets really troublesome when say I go out to get him and he may pee on my foot accidently. Also the main reason we cant let him in the house much.

Why is it exciting to him that you are opening a window? It may help if you desensitise him to these activities. Maybe do some training around opening and closing windows and doors. I would train him to sit when doors are opened and allow you to walk through the door first. He sounds anxious — is there anything you can do to make him feel more confident? To be honest, I'd be letting him inside and cleaning up the mess for a while. I know it's a hassle, but he really isn't properly toilet trained yet, and accidents are part of the parcel.

Does he have a mat inside? I am working now with Martha on going to her mat on command. A mat inside would give him a secure place to be. A crate may be even better.

2. He poos half the time as if he doesnt realise he is doing it. He will poo while he is walking/running/and sometimes even when he is eating!!! He even poos were he eats (although this hasn't happened recently).

Have you talked to the vet about this? (I know you've asked the vet about peeing, but what about the pooing?) It does sound like strange behaviour — again, it sounds like anxiety-related behaviour.

I don't hit the dog, but we do have another dog that is quite dominant and they have fought before esp over food. I'm thinking it may be submissive peeing caused from the other dogs dominance maybe?

You would think the dogs would have worked out their rank order by now though. I don't think it should be continuing to cause Tyson so much stress.

But as I said earlier, I'm no expert. Others should know.

Anyway, hope it can be fixed! and his name is Tyson, a little runt but we love him nonetheless ! just want it fixed so we can let him in the house more.

Again, I reckon let him in the house now and clean up when you need to. I really think he might need to feel the security of being part of the family.

[Prinnie]

I agree in the training aspect, and the creating a bond. One of our pups from our last litter was a little excited/nervous pee-er. We just kept up the positive training, and she actually seemed to just grow out of it.

Pups can be so excited to see you that they do the pee thing. So reduce the excitement if you have been away for a while, be low key and use a calm firm and caring voice, but don't sook them.

Focus on rewarding positive behaviour and gaining their self-confidence and trust.

Just some thoughts.

Good luck.

Prinnie

[BigDaz]

Are the poos firm? What are you feeding him?

I am not an expert but I dont think Staffy's are that good off lead, they tend to be very excitable, especially when young, so I dont think it is a good idea to let him off unless you are in an enclosed area.

[Flaves]

THe pooing sounds like he either does not know he is doing it so it is an uncontrollable thing or he has not learnt the time and place to use his bowels.

THe weeing could be anxiety related which would need to be worked on.

Going to training sounds as though it could help.

Good luck

Ps maybe get a crate and bring Tyson inside for small periods of time - staffys are very people orientated

[valby]

Staffy's love people!! And I mean love So make sure the pup has enough time inside with you--preferably on the couch a staffy's fave spot, other fave spots are next to the heater or under the doona

I would see the vet about the pooing because he may not be able to control it-seems odd. I know dogs go through fear phases so you need to be aware of this (and read the K9 calender it helped me heaps with Halston <<). Try having some favourite treats and go to the window, touch it, give a treat if the pup is being relaxed etc. So basically as suggested desensitise. This is a slow process but be aware that the puppy is genuinely scared like you or I are of say spiders so don't push it

I have heard some "interesting" things about the dog tech training. I would try and get to some kind of training class. Maybe people on the board could suggest a good one for you ??