I'm fed up!!!

[RD]

Get him checked out by a vet. Some dogs just don't have a lot of control over themselves during the day when they're walking around, eating, drinking etc. My Border Collie was like that - he could hold it at night, but during the day he couldn't. He had very minor incontinence issues until he was about 5 months old. His digestive system and bladder (and bladder muscles, apparently) according to my vet were VERY slow to mature.

Please rule out a medical condition before you go any farther. It could make things so much simpler if it really were just a urinary tract infection.

Some dogs also take FOREVER to house train. My two year old Papillon still isn't house trained despite nearly 2 years of crate training, frequent trips outside and lots of supervision. He is a sneak about it.

Sorry but I can't feel confident offering any training advice as my own dog isn't even fully housetrained. All I can say is that you need to ease off the pup a little. He's a baby still, Labs especially are slow to mature and it might take another few months for him to get the idea of it and be able to control himself.

 

[RobHedrick]

Believe me, you explained it very well and I understood exactly what you said.I'll rephrase what said. I meant to say crate him during the times you know he will pee. Intentionally crate him in the morning when you are at your computer and then take him from the crate straight outside. That's in case, like others have said, it's not a medical condition. Good luck

Actually thats what I do; in the morning the first thing I do is get dressed, and take him from his crate directly outside.

You say: "crate him during the times you know he will pee" I can't leave him in his crate during the day.. If I knew when he was going to pee I would take him outside, not put him in his crate. Unfortunately he doesn't show any warning signs yet.

 

[Doberluv]

They are all different. I've had all kinds. My GSD and Lab had the concept down with only two accidents and we're talkin' two weeks or so. My Doberman didn't get it till he was almost a year or a year. He didn't squat. He'd be walking across the floor, stand there, looking straight ahead and start to pee. It was awful. He's the smartest dog I've ever had when it comes to learning obedience or any little trick. But that, he was sllllloooooowww. I've had dogs somewhere inbetween those extremes.

Just be really diligent, watching like a hawk and if you can't watch, pop puppy in the crate. Let us know what the vet finds, if anything. Best of luck. puppyhood is very difficult. I'd sure be thinking twice before getting another pup. I'm running out of energy in my old age. LOL.

 

[RobHedrick]

They are all different. I've had all kinds. My GSD and Lab had the concept down with only two accidents and we're talkin' two weeks or so. My Doberman didn't get it till he was almost a year or a year. He didn't squat. He'd be walking across the floor, stand there, looking straight ahead and start to pee. It was awful. He's the smartest dog I've ever had when it comes to learning obedience or any little trick. But that, he was sllllloooooowww. I've had dogs somewhere inbetween those extremes.

Haha sounds like you know exactly what I'm going though then.

 

[taratippy]

Rob it sounds like you're doing everything right and it will work. Our latest little foster girl was actually lying on the sofa and peeing - she had no concept of house training as she'd lived on the streets for months. You sound a lot calmer now and I think that will help also. Good luck and good on you for trying to help and loving the little bundle of pee regardless.

 

[RobHedrick]

Thanks tara. Yes I'm quite a bit calmer now (I'm almost always calm). He just peed on my floor again about an hour ago...

I was putting on my coat (to take him out), and I looked around and didn't see him.. I realized he was next to his crate. When he seen me he came trotting up, all hunched down in a submissive position and peeing the entire way.

"It took all I had" but I didn't reprimand him, and I stayed calm. I took him outside and said "go potty" followed my warm praise after he did so.

I deserve a treat after that! ..I just hope I can always find the patients in myself when I need to.. Wish me luck, I'll need it tomorrow, and many more days to come..


~Rob

 

[DanL]

Rob a lot of housebreaking is training yourself as much as the dog. Learn to read his signs. If he's playing and stops for just a second, get him outside. If you cannot supervise him for even 5 minutes, crate him, then take him out after you come back. 100% supervision, learning to key on his subtle hints, and soon you will have a reliable pup. 4-6 weeks of that and you'll be there. It's a pain, but it's part of having a puppy. As he gets older he'll be able to go longer without having to go out, and he'll also "get it" and let you know when he needs to go out. Good luck and keep patient!

 

[yuckaduck]

18 weeks old is not that old he is still a pup. If he was abused too then submissive peeing could be an issue. The only solution is to ignore the submissive behaviour, if you react it will only get worse. Unfortuantely without see the pup it is really hard to tell you what is best but there is no way at 18 weeks it is challenging you and no way it hates you. At that age it is all about eating, sleeping, playing and yup you guessed it peeing and pooing.

he just pees all over himself - It's like he enjoys it or something..

This is what makes me think submissive dog and by yelling NO at him you are telling him that his submission is not enough so he will pee more. Best thing is to ignore!

 

[Doberluv]

Everytime he goes in the house, that behavior is being reinforced. So, you need to watch him even better....literally every second or put him in his crate if you can't watch. Preventing accidents is really important.You may need to be taking him out more often, it sounds like...if he's having so many accidents inside. Also, a bladder infection is a possibility and he should be checked by a vet...if you think he's going very, very often and without any warning.

 

[Angelique]

I think Doberluv is right on with this being a submissive urination problem.

Of course a visit to the vet is always good to make sure everything is okay.

Since submissive urination is a signal showing submission, if you say "no" when they start to pee, it will usually only make them do it more to get their message across that you are the "boss".

Pups can sometimes also learn to associate the act of going with you being displeased, and will eventually stop in going in front of you. This can lead to not going when they're with you on a walk, and doing it in private when you're not looking.

Sounds like you're already on the right track, with lots of good advice!

Good luck!

 

[RobHedrick]

Well let me fill you nice people in on the news today...

I have been watching him, learning exactly when he decides to go, what causes him to go at certain times, etc..

I noticed he almost never has an accident, unless I have the leash in my hand, near me, or I'm putting my coat on.

Sad thing is, he's not here anymore.. About three hours ago (2AM) I took him for a walk; he slipped his collar off (I apparently had it way too loose) while I was distracted by something.

I noticed there was no movement on the leash (a 20' retractible leash), and I instantly looked around. I pulled the leash back to me, horrified only to find the collar - not my pup. So I have been searching for him for the last 3 hours in the pitch-black dark, and to top it off I'm surrounded by a wooded area and small fields.

I'll continue looking when it's daylight, I hope he's still close...


Please pray for him, ~Rob

 

[RobHedrick]

I found him. Thank God..

He was behind our house, in a small cellar. I think he's been attacked by something. He's was walking on three legs when I brought him in, and his other leg has a small scratch on it.

I'm pretty sure the leg he's limping on isn't broken. He let me feel around a bit to make sure there aren't any broken bones. Though I know a hairline fracture is still possible.

I'm going to do my very best to get him seen by a vet today.. Though I don't know if any will take a look at him for free (I doubt it). Hopefully I can find a vet that'll tell me whether he needs to be x-rayed or not; if so, and he needs any treatment we may have to do without for awhile, but it'll be worth it..

Wish us luck, ~Rob H.

 

[SummerRiot]

I'm glad you've found him and your taking him to the vet to be looked over!!

At least you have hopefully found the cause for his peeing problems, may not be a bad idea to ask the vet to check out his bladder area anyways though just to be 100% sure

Keep us updated!

 

[yuckaduck]

Poor pup but these things do happen. I hope all is well, wishing you the best of luck.

I think you will find your vet will tell you the peeing is submissive peeing just like I told you in an earlier post. Watching him like a hawk is not going to change that, it will only get better with positive re-enforcement, and no punishment. Good Luck!

Let us know.

 

[RobHedrick]

Poor pup but these things do happen. I hope all is well, wishing you the best of luck.

I think you will find your vet will tell you the peeing is submissive peeing just like I told you in an earlier post. Watching him like a hawk is not going to change that, it will only get better with positive re-enforcement, and no punishment. Good Luck!

Let us know.

Yes I agree with you for the most part. When he see me grab my coat or the leash, and he pees, that is definitely submissive urination because he's scared (for some reason or another. But we're working on it).

Though other times it isn't. I can tell by his body language. But that's okay because I know he's still learning.. I just have never had a pup take this long to learn lol.

He's still walking on three legs. I can't afford to take him to the vet, but there isn't any swelling in his leg, and I have touched / lightly massaged it everywhere, and me doing that doesn't seem to bother him at all.

I'm going to give it a few days, and if the problem seems worse (or isn't getting better I'll have no choice to take him to the vet. But I have to do everything I can first, because like I said I'm broke right now.

I'll update again in a day or two.


~Rob

 

[Rhino]

I really need someone's help here, because this adorable pup is two seconds away from going to the ASPCA (pound)

If this is how you really feel, please, by all means, find him a new home. Potty training a dog is just one of the MANY ways they can frustrate you. Especially Labs. I've raised and bred field labs with my family for 3 generations, and this is a breed that is known for having long puppy-hoods. If you can't handle the potty training, then please do find your dog a new home.

Having said that, not setting your dog up to fail will eliminate all indoor pee problems. And by that, I mean you need to get him health checked to rule out any potential incontinence problems, bladder infections, or kidney stones. The I strongly suggest you look into crate training and make ALL potty breaks a "mission" - outside, on leash, go pee, come inside. That's it. If the dog doesn't pee, in the crate it goes, wait 20 minutes, try again. If the dog doesn't pee, back in the crate. Repeat until successful.. AND THEN allow the dog to be a member of the household. As soon as you let your puppy out of the crate, take it outside. Before you put your puppy in the crate, take it outside. After vigourous exercise, take it outside. After a nap, take it outside. After a meal, take it outside. At 18 weeks old you should be taking your puppy out at least every 2 hours, if not more often.

I really have a short fuse when it comes to people threatening to give their dogs up because of simple problems like this. Working in rescue you'd be surprised at the amount of innocent puppies we get that were given up JUST because they peed in the house. I often question why these people wanted a dog then.. why not get a fish?

I'm going to assume that you were frustrated and said that in the heat of the moment.. so I'll let it slide this time.

 

[RobHedrick]

If this is how you really feel, please, by all means, find him a new home. Potty training a dog is just one of the MANY ways they can frustrate you. Especially Labs. I've raised and bred field labs with my family for 3 generations, and this is a breed that is known for having long puppy-hoods. If you can't handle the potty training, then please do find your dog a new home.

Having said that, not setting your dog up to fail will eliminate all indoor pee problems. And by that, I mean you need to get him health checked to rule out any potential incontinence problems, bladder infections, or kidney stones. The I strongly suggest you look into crate training and make ALL potty breaks a "mission" - outside, on leash, go pee, come inside. That's it. If the dog doesn't pee, in the crate it goes, wait 20 minutes, try again. If the dog doesn't pee, back in the crate. Repeat until successful.. AND THEN allow the dog to be a member of the household. As soon as you let your puppy out of the crate, take it outside. Before you put your puppy in the crate, take it outside. After vigourous exercise, take it outside. After a nap, take it outside. After a meal, take it outside. At 18 weeks old you should be taking your puppy out at least every 2 hours, if not more often.

I really have a short fuse when it comes to people threatening to give their dogs up because of simple problems like this. Working in rescue you'd be surprised at the amount of innocent puppies we get that were given up JUST because they peed in the house. I often question why these people wanted a dog then.. why not get a fish?

I'm going to assume that you were frustrated and said that in the heat of the moment.. so I'll let it slide this time.

Many people here have given me some awesome advice (and it's working). And now I'll return the favor and give you some: "Read before you post"

Yes I was pretty upset while I wrote that first post a few days ago... Sorry I can't explain more but I'm off to bed now - maybe I'll post a bit more in the morning.


Cheers! ~Rob

 

[Rhino]

Ok......

Don't bother explaining.. I have your type pegged out pretty good. I take in hundreds of your dogs every year and find them new homes.

 

[Doberluv]

Hey, take it easy. It isn't unusual to get frustrated with puppies. It doesn't mean he won't get over the hump and become a great dog owner. I don't know anyone as obsessed and in love with dogs...all kinds of animals as I. I have always had dogs and horses since I was a baby. As a young child, I stole peoples' dogs, I wanted them so badly. LOL. I have been intensely in love with them ever since and have always "had a way" with animals and I was told that as a child. My dogs are like my children, but of course, they're dogs.

I would never think seriously in a million years of giving away one of my dogs. But I'll tell you what. There were moments when my Doberman Pinscher was a young pup that I had fleeting thoughts of seeing if he could be accepted into the space program for an experiemental trip with the astronauts. But I got past that short lived phase and moved on. This dog and I have the strongest bond I've ever had with any of my numerous dogs that I've had or have. He's well mannered and we're into all kinds of training. He's a partner and my best bud. I'm crazy about this dog. Of course, I love my other dogs too, but there's something different, a tighter bond with Lyric...can't quite explain.

You just never know what changes may take place with Rob and his dog. Being frustrated momentarily with a puppy is not unusual. True...he needs to set the dog up for success with potty training, preventing accidents and being very watchful. And the more he learns, the easier time he'll have. Then in another month or so, if he still feels this frustrated, maybe that would be the time to think about a new home. I don't think one fleeting moment of frustration indicates a bad dog owner. I hope Rob gets the help he needs to develop a happy relationship with his pup. He's asking for help right here. And he won't get it if he is cut down before he even starts.

 

[Saje]

That wasn't necessary Rhino. Rob doesn't want to give his dog up and if you had read through his posts you'd know how hard he is trying. He did take in a dog with issues and not everybody knows how to work through those problems. But he does have an idea of where to go from here. All he needed was a little support.