A day at the dog park

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Ninjasquirrel said:
Oh believe me its:
Wow! Such a good dog! Such a good girl! Yes good girl go potty! Good girl go potty! Good good dog. Such a good dog go potty.
Over and over until we are inside and then treat. But we will do that and give a treat now as you guys have suggested. I'm tired of cleaning up dog urine :th
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My dog really likes "Nudges Steak Grillers". They are a soft treat, about 1/2 inch by 2 inches. I cut them into about 6 pieces and put them in my pocket before we go out for a walk. As soon as she responds to a request, she gets a treat.(these commands are like "leave it!" when she is on the trail of a rabbit, so no small feat for a beagle mix, lol!) She is a real treat whore, lol.
I have to admit, though, that she won on the crate issue. She is terrified of her crate, and chews the metal bars, destroys the bedding, pulls the curtains off the wall--Ack! Even the boarding facility finally gave up on crating her at night when she is boarded. She was about 6 when we got her, and her fears were pretty deep-seated. Besides the crate issue, she is the best dog in the world.
 
Ok, going to give you my background, so you can decide if I know what I'm talking about. 40 + years working with people and their animals as a groomer and vet assistant (I've seen a lot!) Have studied training and animal behavior almost that long, have been to multiple professional behavior seminars and have a close network of professional trainers and behaviorists that I talk to on an almost daily basis. That said, You really can not take the advice of a bunch of random people that have no training and have not observed the interactions between you and your dog. You have gotten some good advice here, but you really need to consult a GOOD behaviorist that works ONLY with positive reinforcement and not positive punishment. She may also need anti anxiety medication or supplements. She may very well have a UTI, that is common in females especially and more so in spayed animals. She has not lost all her hormones in a few weeks, however. If you decide to keep her, by all means do have her checked for a UTI. Please stop withholding water before bed too, that can cause those. If you want my take on things, and I mean this in the most kindly way, because I know you are trying hard, but you have made a number of unintentional ( and very common) mistakes with her. Frankly, it's your fault that she peed in your bed. You have given her too much freedom in the house too soon. There were also warning signs that she would bite. This does not mean she cannot be fixed, but it will take time and professional help to rebuild her trust in humans, which is why she bit you. This is likely the result of manhandling in her previous home. If you want more advice on the house training, ask me, I'll be happy to help, and/or recommend some reading material written by real educated professional behaviorists. Not Cesar Milan, who IMO is doing way more harm than good. Sorry to be so longwinded, but this is a complicated issue.
 
I finally got fed up of waiting and put her in the crate to go run my errand. This time though I put one of my dirty shirts in with her. I figured if she could smell me she'd calm down and feel safer. I was gone about 45 minutes or so maybe shorter. As soon as I came home we went outside to pee. Peed after 2 minutes outside. I gave her a treat as soon as she was done and praised her like crazy. No accident in the crate at all.
The article I linked said that if she was just marking territory...it would have only been a little pee. This was A LOT of pee. It went through the comforter, sheet, fitted sheet and mattress pad. The mattress however stayed dry. Maybe its hormonal since because of the hysterectomy, or maybe she is afraid of being outside when it's dark so she sought refuge in our bed. Idk but I'm trying to think of excuses because if I know why the behavior is occurring I can correct it. My vet still hasnt called me back but they might be busy today
 
townchicks said:
Ok, going to give you my background, so you can decide if I know what I'm talking about. 40 + years working with people and their animals as a groomer and vet assistant (I've seen a lot!) Have studied training and animal behavior almost that long, have been to multiple professional behavior seminars and have a close network of professional trainers and behaviorists that I talk to on an almost daily basis. That said, You really can not take the advice of a bunch of random people that have no training and have not observed the interactions between you and your dog. You have gotten some good advice here, but you really need to consult a GOOD behaviorist that works ONLY with positive reinforcement and not positive punishment. She may also need anti anxiety medication or supplements. She may very well have a UTI, that is common in females especially and more so in spayed animals. She has not lost all her hormones in a few weeks, however. If you decide to keep her, by all means do have her checked for a UTI. Please stop withholding water before bed too, that can cause those. If you want my take on things, and I mean this in the most kindly way, because I know you are trying hard, but you have made a number of unintentional ( and very common) mistakes with her. Frankly, it's your fault that she peed in your bed. You have given her too much freedom in the house too soon. There were also warning signs that she would bite. This does not mean she cannot be fixed, but it will take time and professional help to rebuild her trust in humans, which is why she bit you. This is likely the result of manhandling in her previous home. If you want more advice on the house training, ask me, I'll be happy to help, and/or recommend some reading material written by real educated professional behaviorists. Not Cesar Milan, who IMO is doing way more harm than good. Sorry to be so longwinded, but this is a complicated issue.
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I'm confused by the "too much freedom" please elaborate. She sleeps in the crate and is only allowed access to the top floor. Should I confine her to one room? She gets locked in if we go anywhere and at night. She does not have free run of the house. I might not have made that clear so I apologise if I did not. For the first month she was on a leash in house constantly and was never out of my sight. Do you feel we should repeat that step? I would be happy to read anything you suggest. Would giving her a cranberry pill help if she has a UTI? What do you recommend for keeping her from peeong in her crate if not "no water before bed"?

I trust that you indeed have the background and can help. So please do. I'll take all the advice I can get and sift through to what works
 
Folly's place said:
Again, see someone locally who can evaluate things as they occur. Mixed signals? You bet! What works in one situation, with one dog, may not be right for another.
Call your vet office back! Get referrals, and opinions, and move forward.
Mary
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I called them back. The lady said theyve been in appointments all day and "the vet assigned to your dog will not be in until monday". She said it could be possible urinary issues. I told her I'll monitor the behavior and if it continues we will make an appointment to rule out a UTI. I'd like to get the vet's opinion before we make any rash decisions. That vet is very...very...VERY expensive. I hate going there but my vet won't take her yet.
 
I was just sitting outside with her on the porch and she took off. Normally she wont leave the porch unless I tell her so I went after her. She sniffed all around and went pee without being told. I gave her a treat immediately. My hopes are a little higher now that shes peed twice outside. She's walking around much more confident with her tail in the air and her ears up. Fingers crossed we keep this through the evening! :fl
 
By too much freedom, I mean she was out of your sight long enough to pee on your bed. Believe me, I know it's easy to get distracted, and assume she's doing better than she is, because I too am house training an adult shelter dog right now. My guy also doesn't like to go out and potty at night, especially when it's windy. So here's my advice. Start all over again and treat her like she's a baby. Do keep her on a leash or in an ex-pen or crate at all times. Since she has a bit of an issue with the crate, try a different location, and start making a more positive association with it. Always give her a treat when she goes in the crate. Multiple times during the day (like dozens, if you have time, but as often as you can manage) toss a treat into the crate, let her go get it and come out freely. Since you had the bite occur, I would recommend a light "drag line" on her all the time, except when she is in her crate ( not safe) My feeling is that she has been grabbed and punished by her previous owner, and feels unsafe when she is grabbed by her collar/harness. For your safety, what I would do is go to a hardware store and get two light dog leash clips, a small metal o ring and a clothesline. Knot one end to one of the dog clips, and cut it about 7 inches from the end and tie that to the o ring. You want it about 5-6 inches after knotting. This can then be left on her collar all the time, even in the crate. Tie the rest of the clothesline to the second clip and cut it to a reasonable length like 6 or seven feet. You may want to tie a few knots at places along the length, to make it easier to hold on to, so leave it a little longer for that. So now you can clip your drag line to the o ring when she comes out of the crate, so you don't have to grab her collar. Also, if she has the drag line, if you see she is about to squat you don't have to grab her or her collar to hustle her outdoors, but she is still safe in the unfenced yard. You need to up your game in the treat department for night potty, get something really, really good, like chicken, cheese, hot dog, etc. You want to counterbalance the downside of night potty, which is then she goes into the crate right away, so it's kind of like you are punishing her for going potty. If she gets something wonderful only at night, it may be worth it to her to go. Also,as others have said, reward her right there as soon as she is finished. Another strategy I recommend, (we do this with our guy) start taking trips outside about an hour or 45 mins BEFORE you normally go to bed. If she doesn't go, come back in and casually resume what you were doing, watching TV or read, or computer time, whatever. Try again in 10 mins, and again if need be. Prepare your mind for multiple trips so it isn't quite so annoying and you can stay relaxed. When she FINALLY (whew!) does go, party hearty and give the special treat and then go back and resume your previous activity, or brush your teeth or check the locks, whatever, with her accompanying you on leash, for a few more minutes, before you put her in the crate, with extra treats. I would just not fret about accidents in the crate right now, just put a towel or something that is easy to wash in there for now, and don't make a big deal out of it if it happens. It will get better as she begins to understand that she needs to, and will want to, go when you take her out.
 
townchicks said:
By too much freedom, I mean she was out of your sight long enough to pee on your bed. Believe me, I know it's easy to get distracted, and assume she's doing better than she is, because I too am house training an adult shelter dog right now. My guy also doesn't like to go out and potty at night, especially when it's windy. So here's my advice. Start all over again and treat her like she's a baby. Do keep her on a leash or in an ex-pen or crate at all times. Since she has a bit of an issue with the crate, try a different location, and start making a more positive association with it. Always give her a treat when she goes in the crate. Multiple times during the day (like dozens, if you have time, but as often as you can manage) toss a treat into the crate, let her go get it and come out freely. Since you had the bite occur, I would recommend a light "drag line" on her all the time, except when she is in her crate ( not safe) My feeling is that she has been grabbed and punished by her previous owner, and feels unsafe when she is grabbed by her collar/harness. For your safety, what I would do is go to a hardware store and get two light dog leash clips, a small metal o ring and a clothesline. Knot one end to one of the dog clips, and cut it about 7 inches from the end and tie that to the o ring. You want it about 5-6 inches after knotting. This can then be left on her collar all the time, even in the crate. Tie the rest of the clothesline to the second clip and cut it to a reasonable length like 6 or seven feet. You may want to tie a few knots at places along the length, to make it easier to hold on to, so leave it a little longer for that. So now you can clip your drag line to the o ring when she comes out of the crate, so you don't have to grab her collar. Also, if she has the drag line, if you see she is about to squat you don't have to grab her or her collar to hustle her outdoors, but she is still safe in the unfenced yard. You need to up your game in the treat department for night potty, get something really, really good, like chicken, cheese, hot dog, etc. You want to counterbalance the downside of night potty, which is then she goes into the crate right away, so it's kind of like you are punishing her for going potty. If she gets something wonderful only at night, it may be worth it to her to go. Also,as others have said, reward her right there as soon as she is finished. Another strategy I recommend, (we do this with our guy) start taking trips outside about an hour or 45 mins BEFORE you normally go to bed. If she doesn't go, come back in and casually resume what you were doing, watching TV or read, or computer time, whatever. Try again in 10 mins, and again if need be. Prepare your mind for multiple trips so it isn't quite so annoying and you can stay relaxed. When she FINALLY (whew!) does go, party hearty and give the special treat and then go back and resume your previous activity, or brush your teeth or check the locks, whatever, with her accompanying you on leash, for a few more minutes, before you put her in the crate, with extra treats. I would just not fret about accidents in the crate right now, just put a towel or something that is easy to wash in there for now, and don't make a big deal out of it if it happens. It will get better as she begins to understand that she needs to, and will want to, go when you take her out.
Click to expand...
Other than keeping her on a leash it all times this is exactly what we are doing :confused: I even put an old beat up quilt into her crate so if she pees on that its fine. She gets a treat everytime she goes in the crate. Has been since we got her. We will try moving it into our bedroom tonight if that helps. I'll keep my tshirt in there too and change it out every few days so she can catch my scent. We will try cheese tonight with her. She loves cheese:love its what she got so she would take her medicine when she had giardia. She does not like peanut butter...which is insane. What kinda dog doesnt like peanut butter?:idunnoSo on the subject...what mistakes have I made...since this is exactly what we have been doing. I'm not trying to be a jerk I just kinda would like to know so I can stop* making mistakes. Which the vet DID call back just now. Those receptionists are the worst. She said since it started so acutely it is more than likely an infection. I'm bringing her in to get tested now. She said she probably bit because she was uncomfortable and she probably peed on our bed because it felt safe there. We're gonna rule out infection first. Please god...let it only be an infection:bowshe violated my trust by biting me...but it would be easier to earn it back if she was just sick!
*editted from stoo to stop. Was typing too fast lol
 

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