Yes, you read that right. My Yorkshire/scottish mix is a bit insecure but also has an agressive side. She barks and lunges at various people and passerbys but when someone kneals down to pet her she wets. I have to constantly remind guests to ignore her upon entering my house because if they give her attention she'll submissively pee. (she only barks and lunges until the point of meeting them, then she's fine). She is a very smart dog and heeds my commands well (sit, down, roll over, stay all without hesitation). She goes for long walks and heels well other than an occasional lunge or bark with children are rushing around or another dog is barking at her.
I have tried punishment and I have tried ignoring it (the ignoring it thing has reduced accidents which is good) but nothing completely stops this behavior. Does anyone have any ideas?
2007-01-05 08:45:44 · 7 answers · asked by Gwenith O 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have a dog that had a similar problem. I had a behavioralist come over and help us out. She called the behavior "shy-sharp", meaning she's really very submissive and nervous, but is so scared by the unfamiliar that she acts aggressively. I needed to do a lot of socialization work with her and other people. Visitors and anyone wanting to pet her were given a treat and asked to pet her one the chin or chest area and then give her the treat. I had the dog at heel/sit for this to happen and found that it worked much better with her sitting than standing. It is going to take time to change this behavior and it shouldn't be punished either.
I would recommend at least a consultation with a good behavioralist, contact your local animal control or SPCA for a recommendation. Pet stores may offer recommendations but they don't always have a personal relationship with the behavioralist or know how they work or reputation. There was a tragedy from just such a recommendation in South Florida last year, where the dog died in front of his owners.
Good luck! I no longer have any little wet accidents.
2007-01-05 09:56:38 · answer #1 · answered by herzoo64 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she has fear aggression for children and dogs. Do not punish her for submissive peeing since she is not able to control it. When you have guest come over give them a treat so give to your dog. But let the dog approach them. Do not stare directly into the dogs eye because that is a challenge of dominance. Do not approach the dog straight on, approach in a curved path and slowly. Approaching straight on is rude in dog manners and another sign of a challenge or fight. Do not lean over your dog to pet her, another sign of dominance. Do not pet your dog on top of the head or stomach(sign of dominance) instead pet under the chin and chest area. To help build her confidence play tug of war and let her win sometimes.
2007-01-05 17:11:44 · answer #2 · answered by kiu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "aggression" you're describing isn't aggression per se; it's actually a fear response -- as is the fearful urination. It's looks "mean" but it's really born of fear.
Dogs that didn't get a lot of socialization as puppies have difficulty when they grow up trying to cope with new people and new situations. That difficulty usually shows itself as extreme aggression or fear.
There are several things you can do to make your dog more confident and to fear-urinate less often:
Put her into a socialization class.
Tell folks to stay out of her personal space; dont step into the dog's space trying to pet or talk to her; let her decide when she's ready to approach them. (Her barking at people before they meet her is her signal to them to "stay out of my space!". When her space is respected, she'll be less prone to bark and lunge.)
If you know guests are coming over, make sure she has lots of opportunities to empty her bladder BEFORE they arrive.
NEVER punish a dog for fear-urination; it isn't something they can physically control, and your getting angry about it only reinforces the fear.
2007-01-05 16:56:44 · answer #3 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog may need medication to treat her problem. Your vet can prescribe a drug which increases urethral tone. That, combined with keeping stress-provoking situations to a minimum, should help her accidents. Punishments don't work - they'll only make it worse.
2007-01-05 16:50:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
hi
you have to completely ignore it the more attention she gets the more she will do it to say ok I'm submissive they usually grow out of this after a year or so.
Lammy
2007-01-05 16:47:19 · answer #5 · answered by Clammy S 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's called being 'FEAR AGGRESSIVE'.
You need to hire a behaviourist. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get.
2007-01-05 17:23:52 · answer #6 · answered by Sas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your dog is one extreme example of shy-sharpness. you need to go talk to a behaviorist before disaster strikes.
2007-01-05 19:42:43 · answer #7 · answered by sgdrkfae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋