[kobesmom]

I'll try to keep this as short of a story as I can.
We purchased our Cockapoo (Kobe) when he was about three months old he is now 2 years old and by no means an attack dog.. lol.. He is VERY SMART! He can learn very fast with a little peanut butter.. before we purchased him I read a dog book and was ableto housebrake him quickly, he also learned to sit, stay, come,grab it, give me five, fetch the ball, and lay down.. He WAS DOING VERY WELL UNTIL.. I noticed his only problem was peeing when ANYONE except for our kids arrived at the house?. I went back to the book that helped me train him.. then I spoke to the family and we changed our behavior when we arrive home.. we ignored him and his happy dance I let him go outside and have a chance to go to the bathroom and waited a little while before speaking to him and even then we use a calm voice nothing high pitch to make him excited.. but the problem has gotten worse :(... Last August I yelled at him for it out of frustration and now its very bad I can't even call him he starts peeing for nothing, if he hears the rattle of his leash, or if I call him to play, or if anyone except for the kids pets him he sprinkles... I am growing tired... we have a very nice home that I keep clean and I am having a baby that will crawl on these floors and I'm afraid that we may not be able to keep kobe if we can't find the soultion to his problem and fix it I can not have my baby crawling through doggy urine!! HELP PLEASE HELP

[JudyKayTee]

He's afraid or very submissive. That's why dogs lose control of their urine.

I'd get him checked by a Vet to make sure there's no physical problem.

Did you get him from a puppy mill? Some of those dogs are very emotionally damaged.

It's a little difficult to believe that you yelled at him once and he's this afraid or insecure. Has anyone else punished him or yelled at him or threatened him?

[kobesmom]

I purchased him from a big pet store and I'm not sure if he came from a puppy mill... I'm telling the story as it happened my apologies for what you find hard to believe but I'm seeking help because I love him.. we all love him in this family.. at first it was my husbands deep voice so I had my husband change his behavior and try to work with him with treats... our kids are 12 and 16 and they are the only ones who rough him up while playing (not to hurt him of course) and he doesn't pee or act scared with them..?. I understand that he looks at them as brother and sister.. and maybe that's why he has no fear.. I even tried to ignore the peeing but how long can I really keep that up?

[Aurora_Bell]

If your purchased him from a pet store and he is a mutt with a fancy name (like cocka-poo) then yes, you got him from a BYB or a puppy mill.

You can try doing some things to build his self esteem, like obedience classes, or offering him ore play time with LOTS of praise and good boys and pets. You are on the right track by ignoring him as soon as you come in and putting him out side as soon as you come in. Make sure you are cleaning the areas with an enzyme cleaner, and only bad dog him if you catch him messing "red pawed". Does he mess while you are out of the house, or only when he is "scared"?

I will echo Judy's advice to seek a vet to make sure it's nothing medical, but in my opinion it does sound behavioral.

[JudyKayTee]

- And if it's only certain people who cause him to "pee," then I think someone has to look at their own behavior. Not saying the OP. Could be anybody. He was afraid of the husband's deep voice and I haven't heard that before.

[Lucky098]

You can do a quick fix while dealing with thie psychological reasons as to why he is peeing.

To save your floors, and you having to clean them, put a doggie diaper on him. THere are ones available that are specifically made for males. It wraps around the waist and helps you out.

Dogs are very emotional, sounds like you got an extra sensitive guy. You're going to have to just work with him through it. I work with rescue dogs, and some do come in very emotionally damaged and will pee submissively when you look at them wrong. The key to success is to continue life as you have lived it. Don't change your routine, your tone, ANYTHING because of the dog. That is probably the biggest mistake made. If you are a loud family, continue forward. He will get over it. While you are being loud, give him treats. Don't even look at him and throw him a treat. Don't even acknowledge he is there, and throw him a treat. That is teaching him that anytime you do something that is loud and obnixous, something good happens.

Continue to ignore his submissive peeing. Anytime he pees and you get upset, act differently... he picks up on it and knows you don't like him for it. Dogs aren't like people, he won't stop, it'll only get worse the more he feels threatened by your behavior. Your kids.. don't care. Which is why he does not pee for them.

I feel as if giving him up for that is a pretty lame excuse. You created his behavior, you're going to have to fix it. Its not going to happen over night.. Probably not even in a month, it will take awhile for you to change, and for him to change with you. Which is why I suggested the male wrap (diaper). They're $20 at petsmart/petco.

If you are your witts end with his peeing.. contact a trainer. Its great that a book worked for you, however, books can't evaluate and coach you on how YOU are behaving towards the dog. Contact a good in-home trainer and see if there is anything else you can do to prevent your pooch from peeing.

[kobesmom]

Thank you Lucky098 that was the best advice that I have received thus far we do have an appt with kobe's vet on 4/2 to rule out any medical issues.and I just want to say that I am 99.9% sure that we will never give away kobe I just want him and everything to get back the way they were when he looked confident... even though aside from his three times a day sprinkles he appears to be a very happy dog.. He is a important part or our family.. also thanks for the doggy diaper advice I'm heading to purchase them asap.. because I can use them while I do things with him to build his confidence.. After reading your reply I see that I'm not following through with him for example... I will come in from work and ignore the happy dance, let him outside and a while later ill go to pet him figuring that he must have calmed by now... before I even touch him he will dip his head, put his tail between his legs and walk away from me leaving a spinkle or little puddle.. he always looks so sorry and ashamed I think its because of this look that for months we tried not to respond at all but... now I have to admitt that for the last couple of months after it happens... I'll say (In a disapproving voice " Kobe I didn't even touch you why are you peeing".. LOL(like he can answer)... lol... I know that the issue is he knows that I'm not happy... and as far as the noise at home he has been with us ever since he was three months.. I don't think that's the problem.. and for Aurora_bell kobe will not go in the house he isn't destructive he has chewed one (1) shoe in his whole life we he doesn't get on the chairs.. other then his issues (like we all have) I have him trained not to enter the diningroom and livingroom he can go anywhwere else including the pool. So like I stated before he is very smart... Maybe another problem is I stopped teaching him to do things?

[Cat1864]

Has this gotten worse after you became pregnant and have you started preparing for the new arrival?

He sounds like he might enjoy being put to work. If you are trying to think of new things to teach him, you might think about teaching him to retrieve or bring you items like dropped baby toys or clothes.

[Lucky098]

The diaper idea will work good for you! It will allow you to work with him without him peeing all over the place. Dogs that pee submissively do need an extra confidence booster. I have a young pup who will pee submissively every so often.. I just ignore it and its getting less and less. I think boys are more likely to do it then girls anyway ;)

If you feel as if you're not working with him enough, then try doing tricks with him. You can only go so far with obedience (unless you're in compeition). But teaching your dogs tricks really makes their minds work because its not something you can show them, like a sit or down. Not only will his confidence shoot through the roof with everyone telling him what a good boy he is, its fun too!

But just remember... Be the leader, be confident in what you teach him and show him the right way! He will follow you :)

[kobesmom]

No it hasn't gotten worse since the pregnancy.. I have nit started to prep for the baby yet... I think that putting him to work will be a good idea... :)

[kobesmom]

Yeah kobe jumped last night after seeing his own shadow.lol he is just gentle

[kobesmom]

Well Lucky.. guess what..? Kobe is already doing better. I took hin to the vet and $300.00 later it was confirmed that his problem was behavior nott medical... I didn't get the diaper I got something called the simple solutions reusable wrap it works great it wraps around his body and doesn't bother his happy tail at all... I first used it on Sunday after work I let him out and we played go fetch to let him burn off some energy then put I put the wrap on while outside. Kobe looked unsure at first but then he appeared comfortable... we all started to "act normal"... lol and I started treating him with small training treats when he would look at me or just out of the blue.. I pet him and played with him.. it was great I can tell from his body language that he was tinkling a few times but I just ignored his behavior and kept giving him love and attention.. that night I after removing the wrap I washed it and hung it to dry and the next evening I did it again.. its a work in progress.. :)

[kobesmom]

Today is tueday and I came home let him out rubbed him (no tinkle)... well praise the LORD!. lol... so I've been a little less affectionate today but I still gave treats and spoke with him and he didn't sprinkle... :)... cheese!. now I know that he isn't 100% cured but it's a great start and I don't know how to thank everyone but the plans is to use the wrapp tomorrow and start teaching him something small (I don't know what yet) tomm I'll have to get the peanut butter out... lol... I'll let ou know

[Lucky098]

I am so happy that the wrap worked for you! It will give him a great boost of confidence and pretty soon he won't be doing it. And the wrap was exactally what I was referring to. All the potty pad companies, such as Simple Solutions, make the wraps.. I guess each company has its own name for then :P

I'm all smiles on my end :) Glad it worked out!

By the way, we love pictures! :)

[kobesmom]

As soon as I can post a photo I will asap I con not cut and paste one in the comment area... but thanks again and ill keep you posted