[colebabe27]

We have an 11 month old Puggle that "piddles" inside the house. By piddling I mean that he pees in a very long, skinny streak almost like he can't hold it in when he wiggles across the floor. This happens even when he has just been outside. Sometimes it seems to come from excitement. He is neutered and I would say he is definitely potty trained. It doesn't seem to be a squat pee and it is not very much. Anyone have any clue what we can do?

[labman]

I think this is one for the vet. Piddling can also come from excitement or as a way of showing submission. Excitement usually happens when the bladder is full. Mostly you can hope he grows out of it. Same with submissive wetting except you can work on it.

Many dogs eventually outgrow it, but you can reduce it by building the dog's confidence up. Start with obedience training. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete As you praise the dog for following your commands, it will build its confidence.

Play tug of war with the dog and lose. However at the end of the game, take the rope or toy and put it up, less the dog becomes confused about who is top dog. Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Finally, make sure it has a den to live in. If you are not using a crate, buy one. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work.
Start just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at
Feeding time for more than one dog.

[RubyPitbull]

Colebabe, I have to agree with labman. Usually when a dog piddles it does come from excitement. I have a friend with a pug that has this problem. Usually it is Cocker Spaniels that are more inclined to do this. I would do as labman has suggested and have the vet check him first to make sure that there isn't a physical problem. Once that is ruled out, please follow labman's advice. Post back and let us know how it is going.

[miss manners]

We have the same problem with our Westie, but it is more pronounced when the dog greets my husband than when he greets me or my daughters. My husband is clearly "top dog" to the Westie, and the peeing may be a sign of submission. Don't treat your dog in too harsh a fashion; all this talk of "show him who's leader of the pack" is more damaging than helpful. Simply say "no piddle" in a firm voice whenever it happens, and make sure the dog feels confident around you, without harsh discipline & with plenty of affection & attention.

[RubyPitbull]

miss manners, I don't disagree with your suggestion that it may be a sign of submission. However, this ocurring in your situation, is more of a sign of nervousness and insecurity. I question why your dog would be doing this with only your husband. Has your method stopped the piddling with your dog? It sounds like you are still experiencing the problem.

Please understand that showing the dog who leader of the pack is, is not in any way damaging. We are not advocating harsh discipline at all. labman and I advocate positive reinforcement training at all times. Being the alpha, is retraining yourself more than the dog. It is recognizing how to get down to the dog's level and think like a dog. It is very confusing for them when we show them leadership in some areas and submissiveness in others. Most of us are not aware that we are actually doing anything that can be interpreted as submissive. A dog is most comfortable with a set routine. They need consistency from their people pack. If you are still having problems with your westie piddling, I would suggest looking at the websites labman has suggested and really making an attempt to understand what is being suggested here before you dismiss or condemn it.