Desperate in NJ

Good Morning all - I need some help fast! I have 2 mixed breed pit bull dogs, 1 male about 4 yrs old and a female who is about 2 yrs old. Since they were both strays and in a shelter, we can only guess at their ages. The problem is my girl, Noni. She is always desperate to beloved. Licks you constantly yet is very demanding and can be down right pushy when she wants her way. She has taken to peeing in the house lately, though she was always very good about going outside from the time I 1st got her. I'd say this problem started about the time after I went back to work after my WLS. So about the end of March or so. She has lately taken to getting in my roomates room and peeing on her bed or on her floor. Her room stays closed most of the time to keep this from happening, but last nite for example, as soon as she got up to use the bathroom, Noni took off like a flash and went and peed on her bed!!! I know I wouldn't be happy at all if my dog was doing this to me - I have to find a way to help Noni to stop but have no clue where to start. Another example is that she was outside for about 3 hours laying round in the sun (Noni loves to stretch out in the sun), when she came in she peed on the floor. What's a mommy to do?? HELP! I don't want to see her go back to the shelter. But she seems to be a little off somehow. THe peeing is the worse but there's more; running away, teaching my good calm boy to be bad, tearing up the house if left out of her cage during the day, etc. One more time HELP! And thanks Renee

Renee, Try calling your vet to get some suggestions as to why she is doing this bad behavior. Its probably separation anxiety the vet may have some medication he can give her to calm her down; also get with petsmart and signup for dog training this will help get her back in line. Remember you are her alpha dog and she must learn who is in charge if you let her continue this behavior it'll only get worse. She will learn you must first be trained so she can be trained. If you can't afford the training classes go on line and search for training techniques on the computer also watch whisper on discovery channel he's a dog trainer and he tells you how to train your dog and how to teach them to change bad behaviors. Hope this helps! karen

Hey Renee, Your girl just needs a little behavior therapy. You have to commit the time and effort but it should work out well. Go to the pet store and buy a book on dog behavior or look into hiring a behaviorist to help you. You have to extinguish the behavior. When she pees in the house you need to punish the behavior when it happens. It may get worse before it gets better (called an extinction burst) but it will get better. Best of luck and DONT GIVE UP! With love, Em

Be sure she knows you are the leader here. dont send mixed messages when she is bossy. If it is not hwat you want(any behavior, send a clear simple message...NO!. Go back to basics. Crate training. remember she dosnt want to lie in it, so mack sure the kennel is just large enough to stand up, lie down and turn around. It is not a place for water bowls and feed dishes. It is also not a place for punishment. It is where she needs to be when she cannot be attended. When you come home, greet her, I lke to get down to their level to avoid jumping up. If she tends to pee when she greets you, have a loop near her kennel and take her right outside.When she does a tinkle "good girl". She wants to receive your praise and avoid your disapointment, so make it clear when you are pleased with her as well as when you're not. Good luck.