Frustrated and in need of HELP

jgreene1986 · 12-17-2011, 05:22 PM

Hello everyone. I have a dilemma with my GSD and in need of help. First a little background info. I bought "Jake" from the second owner in February of last year when he was 4 months old. The person I purchased him from only had him for a week before putting him up for sale, and I understand why after I had him for a few weeks. When I went to see Jake, I noticed that he was very skiddish and hid in a corner, and pee'd a little when I approached. I thought it was just where he didn't know me. I didn't think anything about it and purchased Jake anyways. Ever since I've owned him, Jake has had a problem with peeing on himself when excited, or nervous, or for no reason at all it seems like. When I get home from work, he pee's and wags his tail in excitement. I've tried house training him, but recently have realized its useless since Jake seems to have no bladder control when he gets excited, or nervous, or just when I pet him. Also, whenever I go to pet him, he'll cower and pee on his stomach and the ground. So obviously I'm very frustrated and confused. Is there anything I can do? He acts like he was beat when he was young, but idk. Also, he "wines" a lot when I interact with him. Is this normal?

jgreene1986 · 12-17-2011, 05:23 PM

Sorry, I purchased him in February of this year.

msvette2u · 12-17-2011, 05:29 PM

Yes vocalization is quite typical for this breed.

Here's some submissive peeing links. Please check them out.
Can We Help You Keep Your Pet? Submissive Urination

Good_Karma · 12-17-2011, 06:14 PM

I assume you have had him tested for urinary tract infections? If he's healthy, then you need to find ways to make yourself seem less threatening and also do activities with your pup to help boost his confidence.

GSKnight · 12-17-2011, 06:19 PM

awww.... poor guy. 3rd home and pee'n himself.

I know you can get some good help here. Please hang in there and help this guy. It sounds like he doesn't know which way is up.

Jack's Dad · 12-17-2011, 06:20 PM

It seems like he has genetically very poor nerves. If that is the case you can learn ways to manage his nerves to some degree but he will probably always have nervous issues.
There is also a possibility that he was badly mistreated by his previous owners.
If you could find a good trainer or someone who has worked with GSD's they would hopefully be able to tell what his potential is and how to manage him.
It's unfortunate but often these dogs just keep getting pushed on to someone else.

WVGSD · 12-19-2011, 03:44 PM

One thing that may help is to crate him close to a door and, when you come home, do NOT make a fuss over him. No eye contact, no speaking - just let him out of his crate and go right outside with him. Then, once he is outside, lots of praise and greeting fun. With time, he will learn that the greeting takes place outside and that is where it is okay to pee. With time, it will become a routine.

It probably would also help to enroll both of you in some positive motivational training classes that will help boost his confidence. Classes that use food and/or clickers to shape behaviors can be a great confidence boosting activity. After an initial class for basic obedience, you might find that he enjoys something such as agility - again all based upon positive motivational training methods. With a dog such as yours, you want zero physical or harsh verbal corrections.

BlackPuppy · 12-19-2011, 04:35 PM

Poor guy.

I hope you read the information on submissive peeing. He's just trying really hard to be a good dog.

And like WVGSD said, don't look at him or talk to him when you get home. Just quietly let him outside and go out and play with him.

12-17-2011, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
jgreene1986 New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Frustrated and in need of HELP Hello everyone. I have a dilemma with my GSD and in need of help. First a little background info. I bought "Jake" from the second owner in February of last year when he was 4 months old. The person I purchased him from only had him for a week before putting him up for sale, and I understand why after I had him for a few weeks. When I went to see Jake, I noticed that he was very skiddish and hid in a corner, and pee'd a little when I approached. I thought it was just where he didn't know me. I didn't think anything about it and purchased Jake anyways. Ever since I've owned him, Jake has had a problem with peeing on himself when excited, or nervous, or for no reason at all it seems like. When I get home from work, he pee's and wags his tail in excitement. I've tried house training him, but recently have realized its useless since Jake seems to have no bladder control when he gets excited, or nervous, or just when I pet him. Also, whenever I go to pet him, he'll cower and pee on his stomach and the ground. So obviously I'm very frustrated and confused. Is there anything I can do? He acts like he was beat when he was young, but idk. Also, he "wines" a lot when I interact with him. Is this normal?

12-17-2011, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	I assume you have had him tested for urinary tract infections? If he's healthy, then you need to find ways to make yourself seem less threatening and also do activities with your pup to help boost his confidence. __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

12-17-2011, 06:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	awww.... poor guy. 3rd home and pee'n himself. I know you can get some good help here. Please hang in there and help this guy. It sounds like he doesn't know which way is up. __________________ Greg Knight Viktor: 3 year old (DOB: 8/31/2008) GSD rescued 10/15/2011 Everyday, we get closer

12-17-2011, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jack's Dad Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California Posts: 1,351	It seems like he has genetically very poor nerves. If that is the case you can learn ways to manage his nerves to some degree but he will probably always have nervous issues. There is also a possibility that he was badly mistreated by his previous owners. If you could find a good trainer or someone who has worked with GSD's they would hopefully be able to tell what his potential is and how to manage him. It's unfortunate but often these dogs just keep getting pushed on to someone else. __________________ Andy

12-19-2011, 03:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
WVGSD Master Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 999	One thing that may help is to crate him close to a door and, when you come home, do NOT make a fuss over him. No eye contact, no speaking - just let him out of his crate and go right outside with him. Then, once he is outside, lots of praise and greeting fun. With time, he will learn that the greeting takes place outside and that is where it is okay to pee. With time, it will become a routine. It probably would also help to enroll both of you in some positive motivational training classes that will help boost his confidence. Classes that use food and/or clickers to shape behaviors can be a great confidence boosting activity. After an initial class for basic obedience, you might find that he enjoys something such as agility - again all based upon positive motivational training methods. With a dog such as yours, you want zero physical or harsh verbal corrections. __________________ Shannon Max - rescued GSD - adopted Dec 22, 2010 to the Bridge on March 7, 2012

12-17-2011, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
jgreene1986 New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Sorry, I purchased him in February of this year.

12-17-2011, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,530	Yes vocalization is quite typical for this breed. Here's some submissive peeing links. Please check them out. Can We Help You Keep Your Pet? Submissive Urination

12-19-2011, 04:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Poor guy. I hope you read the information on submissive peeing. He's just trying really hard to be a good dog. And like WVGSD said, don't look at him or talk to him when you get home. Just quietly let him outside and go out and play with him.

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