Dog Community

Another Cockapoo Fiasco

Posted : 4/28/2006 6:22:40 PM

Hi All--

Things have been going pretty good with my new dog. Except now she does the excited, so I'll pee, dancing whenever I approach her or whenever my wife greets her. I know sometimes she's showing her willingness to be "inferior" in the pack of ours-- but we don't really give her any reason to do this. Yes she does get punished whenever she does something bad-- but it isn't like I'm threatening to exile her from the family. When she has these accidents, I promptly take her outside where she'll stay until I clean things up and then get her again and do something, like take her for a walk or play with her in the backyard. She just gets all alpha-beta dog on me and pees!!!!

I think part of th problem is, she's so sensitive. I give her a admonishing looking and she'll cower like a she's seen a monster. And because she's still trying to chew everything, she often gets yelled at and she takes it very badly. Instead of just stopping what she is doing, she'll run and hide.

We've also relapsed on the whole separation anxiety deal. But she is no longer allowed to be in our bedroom any longer. Among several reasons, the main reason is, when me and the wife are...yah know... she'll whine and cry and bounce around her kennel. Kind of kills the mood yah know?

On the good side of things-- the dog and our bunny co-exist and they don't bother one another. In fact, we have to so that when Charlie, the bunny, hops up to Lucy, the dog, she'll sit and just stare. One morning they were on a collision course without knowing it and they both stopped, turned, and ran the opposite directions!!! LOL So at least Lucy can be out, supervised, with Charlie which is a huge relief.

Thanks.

nigguysmom

Posted : 4/28/2006 6:59:13 PM

Good to hear that Lucy and the bunny are getting along well. I've never had a rabbit in the house but have heard that they make great pets. As far as Lucy being really submissive, it sounds like you may want to instead of trying to discipline her, instead just don't react and re-direct her. I am by NO MEANS a trainer, so hopefully someone on who is will log on and answer your questions, I am interested in knowing how to deal with this too. Good luck with this.

willowchow

Posted : 4/28/2006 8:08:14 PM

That peeing that she's doing will most likely go away as she gets more confident. Is she young? If so, as she gets older it will go away too.

Instead of yelling at her when she's chewing on something she shouldn't, just redirect her to something she can have. I've learned by reading for training Willow that yelling makes you seem scary and unpredictable to them. (Not saying that's true, but they see it that way).

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spiritdogs

Posted : 4/28/2006 8:40:14 PM

because she's still trying to chew everything, she often gets yelled at

If you continue to yell at her, the submissive pee'ing will probably continue. Try keeping things up off the floor so she can't get them to chew - or place her safely in her crate when you won't be able to supervise her. If she whines or bounces in the kennel you should ignore her completely (unless she has to go potty). Yelling "shut up", as I suspect you may be, will only keep her whining & crying.
Maybe you should take some time out from "doing it" and "do puppy kindergarten".

Ryan Finkbiner

Posted : 4/28/2006 9:46:41 PM

I should be more clear-- she isn't chewing everything-- she just chews mulch-- big piece of already chewed up wood. I think it feels good on her growing teeth.

As for the puppy kindergarten instead of doing it-- no way-- not at 2300 at night. I've already been told i pay to much attention to my dog instead of others ;-)

Ryan Finkbiner

Posted : 4/28/2006 9:51:33 PM

No you're right-- I shouldn't be yelling. And when she's in the crate I do ignore her crying and whining. A reaction from me-- any reaction-- will keep her going with the behavior. It is just this submissive peeing that is getting out of hand. I have found that if we make NO big deal whenever we come home or let her out in the morning, she'll not pee-- or usually she won't. But sometimes, out of no where she'll approach me or my wife and do the whole submissive crawling and then pee. :-( And because I know I shouldn't yell at her I have been better about controlling myself in the process. She is still pretty young-- going on 5 months-- so I'll have to show more patience. It is just that not everyone else believes in this philosphy in the family....

willowchow

Posted : 4/28/2006 10:11:25 PM

Oh, yeah, she's so young, she'll grow out of that. It does help not to get her more excited by paying a lot of attention to her when you first get home. Try keeping as calm as posssible, that should help, and try not to raise your voice.

A lot of why this is happening is because she's so young. My friends lab did this to me for almost a year. He would see me, freak out and pee on my sneakers, the floor, whatever was there. He did grow out of it though.

It's not a potty training thing, it's a submissive thing, like I'm so excited to see you and please don't hurt me all together.

It sounds like she's going to be a great grown up dog. The dog I'm speaking of grew into an awesome friendly with everyone dog.

glenmar

Posted : 4/29/2006 7:22:52 AM

You are right that she is chewing because it feels good. Give her marrow bones or other RAW bones to chew on instead. Mulch can contain chemicals that are lethal to dogs. Please try to keep her completely away from the mulch.[:@]

Yelling or reacting in ANY way just reinforces the behavior. You need to IGNORE behaviors you don't like and "catch her doing something good" so you can PRAISE her. And don't give her so much freedom that you are constantly feeling the need to yell at her.

You've got a small breed who is a mix of two breeds KNOWN for submissive urination. Cockers and poodles are both just terrible about this. This little girl needs some confidence building so she isn't so afraid that she feels the need to be submissive to you. You CAN raise a secure and confident pup and STILL be the leader of the pack, but it requires you to examine HOW you are leading. If by fear and intimidation (ie yelling) this behavior is very likely to continue into adulthood...and perhaps beyond.

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/29/2006 8:06:43 AM

As for the puppy kindergarten instead of doing it-- no way-- not at 2300 at night. I've already been told i pay to much attention to my dog instead of others

Training and socializing a dog is part of the responsibility of ownership, so if you can't do class, I hope you can find some time to do that outside the class situation. I will say that, had you had the class experience, an instructor would have counseled you on how to avoid this problem escalating. Try to talk to your dog in the same voice you might use to an infant (without the "baby talk" - just mimic the tone). If you think of her as an infant, it helps you continue to realize that she is a baby - after all, humans don't get out of diapers for three years. Hopefully, with time and patience, this will clear up.
If it doesn't (yup, some dogs do it forever), you can always opt for bitch britches or buy more Petastic LOL.

Ryan Finkbiner

Posted : 4/29/2006 10:31:07 AM

Ug...I know you guys are right. And i need to remember she is still so young. She is actually quite smart for her age, I guess-- as she's learned many commands already. And her ability to "stay" when the bunny starts approaching her and sniffing arouond is great. Her love affair with mulch started with day one and I always tell her to leave it or drop it-- which she does, with some careful thought before actually doing so. But sometimes when she is playing "lets run through the doggy door" she'll get a craving and bring it inside, be as quiet as a mouse and chew it.

Really I'm probably dealing with a dog that is too smart for me :-)

spiritdogs-- thank you for your input-- it is nice of you to take the time to respond to my thread. You, too Glenda and Willowchow.

Here is a pic of my pooch I took last week after a fun bath.

glenmar

Posted : 4/29/2006 11:03:37 AM

She's a little cutie!