TwinSpirits Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Wasnt sure where to write this, but at the moment Im trying to calm down a bit. Went to the shopping center for our usual training with Flossie, I have toilet trained Flossie pretty well for a pup her age, been training her to go on command etc. I took her out toilet before we got into the car and then we went off to the shop to post some parcels and get some medicine. As soon as we got out of the car she was different, not like the way she normally is when I take her to the shops, she seemed to be in a hurry to go everywhere and just wasnt following my hand signals as usual, she still did the signals but very very reluctantly. We went to the shops etc, and were walking back to the car when all of a sudden, she just squats and pees in the shopping centre, I was so stunned I didnt know what to do. Nat went to get a cleaner and I stayed there waiting, but people around me were making it very difficult to stay calm. Im very embarrassed because of the people reaction to what happened. The cleaners were nice about it told Nat that this happens alot with the dogs in Training, but Im very nervous about going back because of the way people reacted. I am unsure why she had to go then, Id made sure she went before we left and everything and we werent that long out, I know she wasnt nervous because Im always checking those signals to see if she is scared or nervous or anything like that and she seemed calm and happy while we are there. Im not sure what to do now, do I restart the toilet training from scratch again and when Im confident she is trained to the level I had her before I take her out again. she still went when we came home as well, even though she did this at the shopping center only 5 minutes before. Im not upset with Flossie at all, she is still a pup and I know there is a reason for this, I just am upset at the way people had to react and embarrass me in the shopping centre. its not the first issue with this particular centre either. Im trying to go through everything in my head and I just cant find a reason for Flossie to go where she did. I guess this is sorta just a vent, Im sure when I calm down and stop being so emotional I can think clearly about it and find a solution to it. She is still otherwise very well trained in public and has never barked or whined or anything while out and has until today, always followed my hand commands. when Im out with Flossie I always feel like people are just waiting for something to go wrong with her, I feel watched and it makes me nervous at times, its like people want an excuse to not allow the dog there you know? maybe Im just paranoid but when Im out at particular places the feeling is very very strong. Tristan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 The only thing is can suggest is that is why she was behaving differently, smart puppy. If she does that in the future quickly find an appropriate toilet spot. Sometimes pups just need to go more often than usual just like we do. Don't worry about the other shoppers, Flossy will change her looks so quickly they wont even remember it was her and who cares anyway. They can't complain because that would be descrimination. Besides she is so cute i bet her puppy puddle was too Hugs to you and Floss Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 The only people will change thier views is if you keep going there and prove them wrong. Everyone's entitled to an accident and it sounds like she really is very well trained. If she's acting odd when you get to the shops next time find a grassy spot aand tell her to go again before you take her inside. She's a clever girl she'll show them all how good she is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 A puddle is no problem..... accidents will happen . When training guide dogs many years ago... we had some very embarrassing moments! Try a lab. in harness..myer make up section......NOT a puddle !! Dogs throwing up in shops is also an interesting experience As suggested..offering her another toilet opptunity may be a good idea. She is only young..and excitement,different food etc can do things You are doing well...and those "people" who looked sideways at you ...well,IMHO they need to see MORE of that sort of thing (tic) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonElite Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) myer make up section Well my dobie has been to some weird places (protest against the war in Hyde Park, australia day fireworks at Darling Harbour), but I guess we might have to explore a department store one day. How do you get away with entering a shop like that with a large dog? Edited February 17, 2006 by myszka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) ... Im very nervous about going back because of the way people reacted. ... I just am upset at the way people had to react and embarrass me in the shopping centre. What - and children don't pee, vomit etc. when THEY'RE in the shopping centre? Just because they're parents are at an advantage that they can nappy them. Those that gave you 'looks' and/or commented .... I say bully to them - they should get a life and dedicate their time to worry and do things about the more serious things in life. Good for you for socialising your dog. Perhaps take some things that you can use to tidy up the accidents immediately. (eg paper towelling). People look at you? Give them a look back like "So? This is normal - it's life" ... try to not look too apologetic or emabarressed - some people thrive on the discomfort of others. Shrug and smile at them - "I wish it didn't have to happen, but it's no biggy after all" type attitude. To gain back your confidence, and to make sure it doesn't become a behavioural habit, try going back to the shopping centre and then walking back out again (obviously giving Flossie ample opportunity to settle and piddle before she goes in - even if she has eliminated prior to departure at home). Reward her when you're outside for no inappropriate elimination. Reward her when she eliminates appropriately. Teaching a 'cue' word for elimination is great for these sorts of trips too. Do this a few times until you can comfortably and confidently assess whether this might have been a 'one off' situation. When she's in the shopping centre, keep her attention towards you as much as possible, to keep her from thinking about her bladder. ETA: I'm not sure what the rules are for shopping centres and pups. I guess some health restrictions apply - especially around food areas. I presume it gets to a stage where pups become too old to be permitted entry to the centre, and this is something that needs to be respected. Sometimes, if the pup is considerably small, it's advantageous to put a towell in a sturdy and appropriately sized carry bag and hook it over your shoulder and under your arm. This keeps pup safely controlled and protected, and the towel services to soak up accidents. Is Flossie in training as a service dog which would otherwise give her right of way? If I recall correctly, she's in training as an Assistance Dog, isn't she? I presume she was wearing her coat. People give you are hard time over accidents in life? THEY are the ones with the problem. Don't you worry. Edited February 17, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Myzska: How do you get away with entering a shop like that with a large dog? It was a guide dog. Tris, not every stare is hostile, not every whispered comment is either. A pup in shopping centre is unusual and messing for some people is simply amusing. Ignore it - most people mean no harm. I think you may be a touch over sensitive about this. The pup doesn't care - and neither should you. You keeping your cool will assist her in such situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Tris..you may want to include ,in your bag..a few sheets of paper towel, a couple of plastic bags,and some disposable gloves ;) for those "Ooopses" which WILL happen,when you least expect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apolo Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) Hi Tristan I would guess she was telling you she wanted to go again. Her tummy might have been a little upset. Get her to toilet before leaving home and try again when you get to where ever you are going just to make sure. I have a girl that loves going out in the car so we toilet first, go for the drive and toilet as soon as we get to out destination. We enjoy our stay and again toilet before getting into the car to come home. On arrival at home she toilets again. All this could be only one hour but she knows to go to the toilet. I take with us all toilet needs as well just in case. Dont let people upset you as they just dont understand. I know as I have been there and it happen to me. Apolo Edited February 17, 2006 by apolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbbb Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Hi Tristan, when I see a service dog in training, I always stare at it. I dont mean to be rude or upset the person with the dog, it's just that they amaze me with how wonderful they are. If I saw a puppy in training make a puddle I would probably have a little laugh. Not because I'm being mean, but because puppies will be puppies no matter if they are wearing a coat or not! Please dont feel discouraged - accidents happen! jbbb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mag dog crazy Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) Don't know why she did it but don't worry about the other shoppers and don't be scared to go back there. I have found the people out in public to be very un supportive when training my dog, they don't really understand but thats the way they are so get back to the shops other wise you wont know the real story behind your puppy's toilet trouble. Edited February 17, 2006 by Nic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninaandted Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 tristan, try not to take it to heart - as others have written they might have been reacting in sympathy or amusement. I LOVE seeing guide dogs and dogs in training out and about and I do watch them because it is so amazing to watch. I'm afraid that if I had have seen the puddle I would have been giggling as well - not at you but just at "puppiness". plus, this is good training for your pup because I think anyway, even when they are a fully fledged assistance dog they (and their owners) will always encounter some negativity sometimes in these situations - whether deserved or not. What I'm trying to say is that if you don't let it upset you then flossie won't be phased by it either and that's really the main thing. i don't know how about beginning the toilet training "again" as such - it could have been a one off, there may have been a strange smell that upset her and generally put her "off" on the day. I'd just monitor it and see if you can observe whether the behaviour is related to the shopping centre or what triggers it. ultimately as an assistance dog you'll probably have to "proof" this kind of thing anyway. so don't feel bad - just another opportunity for more training! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 If it makes you feel better we were at Werribee zoo for their twilight music program and a toddler dropped his pants and proceeded to pee on the front of the stage (Alex was actually in his way but I managed to grab him before he got peed on ) I can guarantee that everyone looked but it wasn't malicious staring, his poor mother was sooo embarrassed but everyone just laughed it off as a training accident, they happen to everyone so don't worry ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinSpirits Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Thanks everyone for your replies I do feel alot better. just to answer some questions, not all dogs are allowed in shopping centres because of hygiene laws etc, Flossie is however not a pet but a Guide/Hearing dog in training and has as such access rights to be trained and when fully trained will be able to go wherever I can go, the access essentially is for the person with a disability not the dog, I hope that makes sense. Flossie was in her coat when this happened. Persephone - cant imagine what Id do with a lab in harness doing that lol Flossie is a wonderful dog and I didnt try to react while I was at the centre, just tried to keep her calm and quiet with me until the accident was cleaned up, I did try to ignore others and the person working inside the shop did come out and defend me saying she is just a puppy and she is cute etc, so I was grateful for that. Nat is getting me a little bag of things ready in case it happens again and I am planning on getting her to go on command before and after getting in and out of the car just in case. I do try to be calm in public with her and I have alot of the times overheard people commenting on how well she was trained, and some have said their dog would never do that etc. I know Im on the right track with her training, just a little mishap. Will take her back and keep training as though nothing happened, probably those people will never see me again anyway. On another note, something I havent taught Flossie yet either - when I put her cape on and go outside, she goes to the toilet in her area, and then guides me to the car, if she is walking back to the car from the shops, she guides me straight back to our car. I havent taught her to guide at all yet, just been trying to teach her to be at my side and just to socialize in shops etc, get used to sounds, and we never park in the same spot either. Tristan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) On another note, something I havent taught Flossie yet either - when I put her cape on and go outside, she goes to the toilet in her area, and then guides me to the car, if she is walking back to the car from the shops, she guides me straight back to our car. I havent taught her to guide at all yet, just been trying to teach her to be at my side and just to socialize in shops etc, get used to sounds, and we never park in the same spot either. Amazing how dogs learn from consistency in patterns - whether we intend them or not. Goes to show we are ALWAYS teaching our dogs something whenever we are around them (and even sometimes when we are not ;)). Good for you, Tristan .... sounds like you're doing an outstanding job. Edited February 17, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scope Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 yep mate accidents happen i know what you mean about feeling awkward in public, though my circumstances are a bit different with my rotty... i was crossing a relatively busy road with him the other day, there were a lot of people about... and for some reason he hates the traffic light crossing buttons, i'm sure he'd rip the button box right off the pole if i gave him half the chance... anyway he was sitting at heel, very anxious but behaving himself... the crossing lights went green and we started to heel off... i'd taken a few steps onto the road and something triggered him and he redirected onto me... he had his muzzle on so couldnt hurt me... but here i am pushing nearly 50kg's of growling rottweiler backwards across the road... can you imagine the disgusted stares i got from that?! lol... we made it to the centre island and i sorted him out, sat him down again, and we heeled off again and he was fine... looking back it's kind of a funny situation... but at the time i could have died from shame!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fido666 Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 Hi Tristan, Like everyone else has said, don't stress Flossie is just a baby. I have one who hangs on till she gets home but I wish I could get her to toilet on her walk, at shows, etc. She will go on coammand at home most times but doesn't like going on lead me thinks. Cheers, Corine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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