My dog has been acting strange recently.... What do you think is wrong?

Question

He is a 5 year old Labrador/Pitbull mix. For the past couple years we have been having problems with him peeing inside the house, so we have a "mudroom" area that he has to stay in when no one is home. When we are home, we let him out sometimes, but he must stay in the room with us, or else he has to go back to his room. We have been following this routine for atleast a year now. All the sudden, He has been growling and crying like he always wants to come out of his room. When we let him outside he doesn't want to come in, and doesn't come in when we call him anymore, which he always used too. And when we open his little gate to let him into the rest of the house, he runs around, lays down, rolls over, runs to the next room, does the same thing, its wierd, what do you think is wrong? He is worrying me..

He is only locked up when no one is home, or if we are doing something that we can't be keeping a close eye on him with. It's his own fault that he must be locked up, because with free roam of the house, he pees everywhere, on the plants, the computer, the shower curtain, the table, clothes hangin on the lower rack in the closet, shoes. So he must be locked up, or he is going to have to find another home, and I dont know any one who would be willing to take a dog that pees in the house.
Also, he is too skinny to be left outside for long periods of time in the cold weather. He has a metabolic disorder where he cant gain weight. He's a big dog, about 85 lbs, but the vet says he is about 20 lbs underweight, no matter what we do.. So we do not keep him a cell, he has a large room with windows, toys, bed, food and water.

Another quick note inresponse to all the great answers... We have tried obedience training, professionally, by ourselves, crate training, and even re-housebreaking.
When he was a puppy, he had an accident with my asthma inhaler, and had major problems from that. The vet believes he may have some kind of mental retardation/learning disorder type of problem. The medicine that he overdosed on, when he ate my inhaler, Albuterol, almost cost him his life, and one of the effects of this medicine if overdose occurs, is brain damage.

Answer 1

It sounds like you have been given lots of good answers already, and have addressed them. But one topic I haven't seen is has he been neutered?

An in tact male dog will mark his territory. His reluctance to come in may be due to the fact he smells a female dog in heat. In other words, he wants to mate. If he's been neutered, he will most likely stop wanting to mark territory as much (there's always some of that, but not as much) and his desire to roam will decrease. Plus, he will be less prone to diseases and cancers.

If he has been neutered and you've done PROPER obedience training (going for a few classes may not be enough), I would consider a crate instead of this "mud room". A crate is a smaller space, which may cause him to hold it as most dogs do not like to be in their own waste (there are exceptions - I'm dealing with one now). But having a crate gives him his own space, and may decrease his tendency to mark. It will also allow you to put him in his crate when you cannot supervise him. But a crate will allow him to still be around you in general. In other words he still may be able to see you, he just can't interact with you.

I also recommend more walks and exercise. Walking is both good exercise (for you and the dog) and good socialization. Your dog may be feeling left out.

If he is indeed suffereing some brain defects, then you may have to remember he's more "pup-like", so treat him as such (with crates, praise, proper and repetitive training, neutering and extra exercise).

Good luck!

Answer 2

Go back to the basics with housebreaking. Start all over again, just as you did when he was a puppy. Use only positive reinforcement, praise or treats when he "goes" outside. Do not scold him if you catch him peeing in the house. That will only make him afraid of "going" infront of you.

Work with him daily on obedience training. Sit, stay and especially come. While he may have listened at one time, he's slacked off, I'm guessing, so have you. This will help reinforce your position of authority.

Try to use the mudroom as little as possible. I understand your situation, he simply can't be trusted at this point - but it could in part be the cause of the housebreaking problem. Dogs are pack animals, and being separated from the pack causes them anxiety. Anxiety is often the cause of housebreaking issues.

It might even be best to introduce him to a crate, for three reasons: 1 - to break him of his indoor potty habit (even the mudroom should be unacceptable) dogs naturally don't eliminate in their "den". 2 - to reduce anxiety. Believe it or not, alot of dogs are more comfortable in a small enclosed spacet then a spacious room. Just make sure you introduce it slowly, using lots of positive reinforcement, treats and praise. 3 - You can keep the crate in a populated room of the house, he can still be confined and with you at the same time when you can't watch him constantly.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

You might ask yourself what has changed in your dog's environment lately that has influenced his behavior. Did you have guests, a new baby, child home from college, a visiting pet from a neighbor, etc. Any of these could change the social structure of your household.

Perhaps a change in "his room" a new smell, sound, etc. like a different laundry soap, or an ultrasonic mouse repellent device.

Famed dog psychologist, Ceasar Millan of Discovery Channel's Dog Whisperer, has a new book out you might want to try that also.

Answer 4

O.K. Houston we have a problem. You are the same gal that posted that you have a 1 year old Pomeranian that you want to breed and you need to know where to find a dog to breed her with.

Why in the world would you want to breed that dog when you can't even spend the time to properly socialize and potty train this dog?

This is just very confusing and enfuriating. It sound like you already have your hands full with this dog to want to breed another one.

He is trying to tell you something in his own way. You brought another dog into his home and he doesn't like it.

Why don't you try taking him to obedience classes?

I found that the more time I spend with my dogs the easier and more behaved they become. Dogs are like people, if you ignore them long enough they will act up to get attention.

You need to crate train him and take the time to praise him when he does something good. You need to not scauld him when he is bad and just praise him as much as you can when he is good. Dogs love to be praised. Try giving him a treat every time he does something to please you and tell him GOOD BOY.

I walk around with a treat bag on my waist line at home and I don't over feed my dogs or leave their food on the floor for them to get at when ever they please. I have them on a schedule and measured food. He is probably tired of spending so much time in his room and needs to come out and play.

You need not bring another puppy into this world if you can't take care of what you currently have.

Answer 5

Dogs, and Labs especially are social creatures. Don't lock him up for long periods without company. Or at least leave a radio or TV on. Sounds like a behavior caused by loneliness.
How would you feel being locked up in a tiny cell, and only being let out once in a while? Sounds like jail, doesn't it?

Answer 6

If you can, watch The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. He has the answers to any problem.

Answer 7

Ask your vet.