Potty Problem..

[RobHedrick]

I have a 16 week old Black Lab puppy (see avatar) I just rescued about two weeks ago, and every since I got him he's had a potty problem.

He has an issue where when I put my coat on, or I grab the leash, and he decides to pee; now he has no problem going '#2' outside (or holding it), it's just the pee..

He was abused pretty bad before I got him, so I understand there will be some submissive urination, but this is different - he decides the floor is the potty-place just before we go outside. I don't think this is related to the abuse, but there is always a chance he was hit with a leash, or someone wearing a coat..

How I correct him (which doesn't work well):

When I see him pee, I say 'no!' 'outside!' in a firm voice (but not yelling) - we proceed outside, he finishes his business and I praise him for going where I want him to.

He's a really good boy, and learns everything so fast - we had basic obedience and fun tricks down in no time, but he can't seem to get this down right at all.

What else should I do? Does anyone think neutering will help? I'm learning just as they are, so I'm a little lost.


Any help is appreciated, ~Rob

 

[juliefurry]

Hmm...that is strange. Does your puppy look frightened of you when you have your jacket on? I don't know I am just as confused as you are. My lab was fairly quick to pick up housebreaking, as was my standard poodle (well she's still picking it up a little bit). Has he been checked by the vet? Maybe an underlying medical problem could be the cause. I think it's always good to bring questions like that up to your vet, but that's just my opinion.

 

[RobHedrick]

Hmm...that is strange. Does your puppy look frightened of you when you have your jacket on? I don't know I am just as confused as you are. My lab was fairly quick to pick up housebreaking, as was my standard poodle (well she's still picking it up a little bit). Has he been checked by the vet? Maybe an underlying medical problem could be the cause. I think it's always good to bring questions like that up to your vet, but that's just my opinion.

He always acts a little scared (getting better though), but when I grab the leash he just runs up to me and pees. I wish there was something easy I could do to correct it.

I'll ask my vet, thanks for your suggestion.

 

[RobHedrick]

Does anyone think neutering will help? I've heard that it might.. but most of you are dog people and probably know best, besides I don't plan to breed him.

 

[BuddysMom]

Hi Rob
My first thought when I read your post was that your dog is so glad to have you that he wants to 'show off' that he knows what to do when he sees the leash. Now, I'm no expert but I could just 'see' his mind thinking, 'see? I know what the leash means...aren't I smart?"
You've only had him two weeks and it sounds like you're getting along beautifully! Sounds like you're handling the situation right, to me. Just give it more time.
Checking him out at the Vet is a good idea, too.
Debbie

 

[Doberluv]

From what you describe, my feeling is that it has something to do with being abused....that it is submissive urination and something about the leash or going by the door....something is frightening him or he's associating it with some bad times. Correcting him will make it worse. You'll need to have lots of patience with this dog and try associating things like that with good stuff, gentle, slow movements, but not to the point where you're making a fuss or an issue over it all. Try to act confident and unworried about him and make everything seem like a fun time when you get the leash. Don't take notice when he pees....just clean it up and go about your business....(as hard as it may be.) When submissive dogs think they're in trouble, this is what they do to show you they feel like they're backing down to you. So he already feels like this enough. You don't want to make a big deal out of it. With gentle, patient handling, good, positive method training (obedience skills build confidence) and so do tricks, agility....jobs for this dog.....he'll probably get over it in time. I think this dog needs these things; slow, calm, gentle, guidance, direction, education so he can feel useful and an unemotional, easy going master. Hope things get better.

 

[RobHedrick]

Thanks so much Buddysmom and Doberluv. You have all been so great, and helpful.

Your advice really makes a lot of sense, buddysmom - I have to remind myself to think like a K-9.

Your advice also worked well Doberluv. I found the best way to get him outside without peeing in our den, is to be 'tricky'; I'll first walk across the room and get my shoes, walk back to my chair and quietly put them on. I'll wait 10 or so minutes, I'll sneak over to the coat rack, grab my coat and sit on my bed, I wait a few minutes, and put my coat on.. and as he lays on the floor playing with a toy, I slowly clip on the leash. When he least expects it, I stand up and say "lets go outside Oz" (Ozzy's his name) - we walk to the door, and proceed outside without difficulty, or urination.

With luck, we can go all day tomorrow without him peeing at all..

Also thanks to whomever moved this thread, my apologies (I'm still learning my way around this place).


Thanks again for all the great advice, ~Rob

 

[Doberluv]

That's good Rob, what you're doing. Dogs get conditioned to associating things together. My own dogs get all excited and goofy when I put my shoes on because I don't wear shoes in the house. I put them on when we're going out for a walk so they've tied the putting on the shoes with the woopti-doo time. They get so goofy that I can hardly tie my shoes. So, lately I've been putting on my shoes and doing a few things around the house first to "de-condition" them. LOL.

So, that is what you're doing in essence....putting the leash on somewhere else in the house, being calm and just varying the process which formerly he may have associated with the abuse. Just a guess. You're doing fantastically. He's going to trust you more and more as you work with him with only kindness and understanding and never punishment. When you communicate in a way he can understand and you reward him, he'll be able to learn new things. Punishment never teaches and this poor dog must have had a pretty sad time before you got him. Kudos to you for giving this pooch such a loving, happy home. Keep us posted on his progress. I'm very interested.

 

[RobHedrick]

Thanks Doberluv. Here's an update for today:

Thus far he hasn't had any accidents yet today; if he can keep it up, it'll be the first day without any accidents at all.

Things look promising; he's beginning to become even more playful with me (He beginning to trust me much more). He's pretty playful with my other dog Sheila (the shepherd) as well, and sometimes he gets pretty rough and over does it - thats the only time have to reprimand him, and he takes it pretty well. He doesn't seem scared of me when I correct him (he just used to panic a bit with the outside thing we discussed), which is really good to see.

I started a thread about the aggressive roughhousing: Here

Like I said, things are looking better and better. Thanks again for all the help, we couldn't have possibly gotten this far without you guys.

I'll post another update tomorrow and let you know how he does today..


Cheers! ~Rob