My two year dog pees a lot when my husband and me try to touch or carry him but not with my children, and I'm thinking that maybe the people that had him four months ago before us abuse him. My dog needs some help because we love him a lot and we had try by sitting down in the sofa so he would come to us and then carry him but it does not work all the time. Please help!

Hi dimple, dog definitely does not want to be picked up by you two. You could be right about the abuse. Could be he was abused after being picked up. That may be the key here.

Suggest just patting him on the floor, no picking up and let him come to you when he is ready and he will signifiy that by probably putting his front legs up on your knees. There is a trust issue here and you have let him make all the moves.

Tick

This does sound like fear to me. The most important thing you can do right now is to be patient and reassuring. I would work on the assumption that he has been abused (this seems likely) and make it my job to build trust with him, to let him know that whatever else may happen you will never hurt or harm him. This has to be your first priority. You can work on establishing your position as pack leader later, once you've helped him through this.

I would suggest that you not assume dominance postures until he is more at ease: Join him on the floor a lot, look for behaviors of yours that he finds soothing and comforting, follow Tickle's advice and allow him to come to you, while still encouraging him to approach.

It may take some time. If you find yourself getting impatient with him, try to imagine what he must have been through before finding you. Once you have helped him to adjust, you will have to make a gradual transition in your behavior in the direction of pack leader--you don't want him to end up as the top dog and a brat. But, as I say, I wouldn't make that my priority right now. He desperately needs your help feeling safe and at home. As he gets more comfortable, shower him with affection. This will build his confidence and then you can proceed from there with normal taining techniques.

I wish you and your little guy lots and lots of luck. I am glad that you found each other.