Our 7 month old Springer Spaniel WAS housetrained. I worked so hard with her, was very patient, lots of praise and had her urinating in one spot in the yard only. She went almost 3 months with no accidents in the house, then we got her spayed (at 6 months of age).
Right after the operation she had a few accidents but seemed to be getting back to herself. About two weeks ago however, she peed on the kitchen floor and my husband stepped in it. He called her over, yelled, stuck her nose in it and smacked her rear end (all counterproductive and stupid moves, I know!).
So, now every time he comes home, she squats and pees as soon as she sees him (on the carpet, in her bed, wherever!). I am pretty sure this is submissive urination; what I'd like to know is what can he do to reverse the situation he has created?
Please, if you can help it would be VERY much appreciated.
Oh, and my husband has learned his lesson (I hope); I make HIM clean up the messes she makes now!!!
2007-04-26 06:34:51 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have done 16 weeks of training classes with her; she is a very well behaved and well trained dog otherwise. She even rings a bell when she needs to go out to relieve herself...
2007-04-26 12:47:01 · update #1
The only solution is for HIM to re-create a new relationship of trust. He should take her for walks, and rides, and show her his patience..even calmly teacher her a new trick that she can perform for him, in which he shows delight.
A trick such as shake hands, or kissy, kissy..or sitting to beg position..
It will take tame for the damage to be undone, but if he can remain patient, she will come around.
If you are both ready to commit to a little time, while having fun..this method of teaching would be wonderful for her to increase her self esteem in all areas> http://www.clickerlessons.com/
All you need to know is on that site, and all for free! then when he comes home, he can simply click-click, and she will be immediately at ease and happy to see him..
2007-04-26 06:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh boy. Submissive urination can be VERY frustrating to owners, but I'm SO glad that you recognized this for what it is, you get two thumbs up from me for that. My dog submissively urinated absolutely every time anyone came to the house for the first year of his life. Of course, as you found out, hollering or any kind of negativity on the part of the owner only makes it worse the next time. The best I way we could deal with it (and it was a pain in the butt, but worked) was to take the dog outside to pee first and greet people where it wouldn't matter if he peed - and have a huge container of Nature's Miracle on hand *just in case*. He did grow out of it - he rarely ever does it anymore, but I never found a good way than that to deal with it. I read to try self-esteem building excersizes like letting them win at tug-of-war, this might help with your dog, but it wasn't an option in my case. You do NOT let a Shiba Inu get the better of you in any situation no matter what the circumstances are! LOL. In any event, he's full of himself enough already, he didn't need esteem building excersizes. Good luck, and be patient!
2007-04-26 13:47:11 · answer #2 · answered by Pythoness 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can't fix what your husband has done, he must. He has to take her out for a few walks, during which time he will praise her enthusiastically each time that she relieves herself. That includes patting gently, but vigorously and vocal praise with a high pitched, extremely happy voice. Also take her to her potty spot and do the same thing.
Then after each potty trip he should play with her for about 15 minutes. Trips to the potty have to be returned to a positively reinforced behavior.
Tell him to consider this. She probably was telling someone that she wanted to go out, but people tend to become involved in whatever it is we want to obsess over and ignore the obvious. Odds are that she held herself as long as she could and then nature won out.
Now, knowing that it is probably her people's fault that she peed in the first place, don't you feel guilty over the punishment?
2007-04-26 19:02:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your husband needs to spend some play time with the dog. The dog needs to see him not as a scary threat. It is important that he not do the play time right after she has peed on the floor, though. You might try putting her outside when you know he is coming into the house so that he can see her outside and there won't be such a problem with whether or not she pees.
2007-04-26 13:44:21 · answer #4 · answered by TAT 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yikes you may have created a problem but if your husband would be willing to work on the housetraining that may be the best option. For a while you should take the dog out before your husband gets home to empty her bladder. and get him to approach her in a non threatening manner all the time like getting down to her level.
2007-04-26 13:47:27 · answer #5 · answered by Jessie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First waht I would do is, take her out of the home to greet him, perhaps in the garden or a driveway, make sure he is armed with treats or toys. Make his presence a fun thing. This is a bad situation and will become a habit. He needs to make amends with your dog.
2007-04-26 13:45:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋