[loco1016]

My dog piddles every time my boyfriend tries to put the dogs leash on to go for a walk.The dog is 9 yrs old and he was never kennel trained but he started getting up in the middle of the night and peeing in the living room, so I started to sleep lighter and every time I heard him jump off the kids bed I would get up and let him out, but I am tired and I didn't want to get up anymore so I bought a kennel and started putting him in it, he just whines and barks all night. So we stopped putting him at night but we still put him in during the day when we are gone to work. When we get home I always put him out for a pee, and he is usuall fine for me, he has only piddled twice with me putting on his leash, but if my boyfriend does it, he piddles every time. Nothing has ever happened between those two, they are the best of buds, but he piddles and its very annoying and it doesn't make sense to us. Please help:confused:

[tickle]

Mmmm, does he cower when your b/f puts the leash on and piddles at the same time ? I know you said they are best buds, but you never know.

[labman]

There is a name for that, submissive wetting. He is saying your boyfriend outranks him. Your dog is a little old for 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.

As he learns to accept thekennel, it should help. Your boy friend may be more sending signals of dominance. 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 For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

Normally dominating the dog is best, but your boyfriend may want to back off a little, avoid eye contact, no toothy grins, keep his hands away from the tope of the dogs head, and don't tower over him.

When you put him in the kennel, lay down in front of it like you were going to go to sleep there. That works very well for me with a new puppy's first few nights by itself. A Kong filled with peanut butter will also keep most dogs quiet.

[Ren Radio]

Great answer labman!

[mseik]

Great advice from labman, and the book he suggests, Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete, really helped me with one of my pups.