Need help with rescue behavior problems!!

[DreamWeaver]

We adopted a now 7 mo. old lhasa/shihtzu mix a month ago. His previous history was with a lady that was wheelchair bound and NO discipline was enforced. He is a sweet boy but there are issues. The potty training is going quite well with the exception of him now urinating on the sofa! This has happened twice in the last week and has me baffled! Also....he has always been the dominant one so he nips and jumps when you come in from work. I ignore him and eventually he settles but the wanting to chew on your hands never stops! He has a wide assortment of toys and chewies at his disposal. He rarely comes when called and likes to play the "chase me" game which we ignore also. Please give me any advice you can on this bundle of both energy and joy! I want to correct the unacceptable behavior while he is still young but keep the personality that I so adore!

[Cassiepeia]

Congrats on the new addition. And welcome to Global Paw!

Best advice would be to enroll him in a puppy class and/or an obedience class. In addition to that, praise him when ever he does something you want him to do (like be calm) and keep ignoring the bad behaviour.

Cass.

[calgal]

Hi and welcome. First off he should not have run of the house till he is completely house trained. Next, you go back to basics, just like when you first get a puppy that must be taught all the rules. Sounds like he has never known what he is and isn't supposed to do, and that alone will be confusing enough. And to add to it all, he now has new home and new parents. Once you train him you will see a whole new and happy dog. Lots of information in books and on the web for each step of training.

[Carrie]

Welcome and congrats on the new pup.

First of all, he's not being dominant. He's undertrained. If you want to keep his personality intact, don't use a lot of punishment or any. He doesn't know any better.

Keep going with the good work on potty training. Supervise him better so he doesn't go on the couch or anywhere inside.

For behaviors you don't like, make sure he's not getting reinforced by anything he likes. If he's biting your hands because he has fun playing with you, remove yourself, end all playtime for a few minutes. Show him what he CAN chew on and praise and give a treat for that. Be very, very consistant. If he gets a payoff one time for chewing on your hands (your attention, good or bad) that will increase the probability of that behavior reoccuring. He's not sure....he's guessing what you mean. For him to be sure, he needs lots of reptitions of not getting a reinforcer for that behavior. So, anytime he sets his teeth on you, immediately get up and walk away. Playtime over. You need not be angry or speak or look at him. No attention. He'll soon figure out that when he plays with you with a toy but doesn't bite, you continue playing and praising him. He'll choose the more fun way to behave once he knows.

Dogs love to learn so you can start with some basic obedience skills. It also makes him follow your lead and you and gets him connected with you. Let him sit before he gets something good, his dinner or a toy. They love working for their goodies.

Be sure he gets plenty of exercise even if he is a small dog. It really helps when they're a little tired.

An obedience class is a ton of fun and you can learn some tips. But be sure to observe a class first and make sure they use positive methods instead of jerking the dogs around and stuff. Get recommendations. Talk to people first before you sign up.

There has been a rash of people on here and other boards who have recently gotten into a class where the trainer is telling them to scruff their dogs, alpha roll their dogs, jerk their collars and other abusive methods. So stay away from those trainers. It is so unfair to punish a dog for something which he doesn't know because the owner or trainer has not trained them. Grrrrrrrr. I'm getting off my soap box now.

[DreamWeaver]

Thank you for your replies. I guess I am on the right track then. We ignore behavior we do not want and 99 percent of the time he responds apropriately. I just wanted to make sure we were on the right track with him. He is very eager to please and is a willing learner. We were told by a local "trainer" that the wetting on the couch was his show of dominance but I am guessing my instincts were right that he is confused and trying to find his place in his new surroundings. We do have his age as a positive in that he is so young and eager to learn and please. Thanks again for your responses!

[Raised By Wolves]

I'm glad this dog has come to live with you.

What are you doing to potty train your dog? Can you tell me what happens immediately before the dog urinates in the furniture?

[DreamWeaver]

He is crated at night and anytime we are away but for the most part he is right by our sides. He has a huge back yard and has learned that the yard is the potty, not the house. We take him out at least once an hour and he really enjoys just being out there on his own for short times on nice days. He had never been offered the opportunity to potty outdoors before he was rescued. As for his behavior right before urinating on the furniture I am still watching with an "eagle eye" but have not noticed ANYTHING unusual. That is what is so strange. One of us can be sitting on the sofa and he will just urinate on one of the other cushions. Most of the time he won't even squat down completely! This has only happened 4 or 5 times but it is disturbing. Last night we went outside, he did his thing, came in and immediately jumped up on the bed and wet before I could get to him. Then he runs and tucks his tail between his legs and hides. He acts so scared and ashamed right after he does it. Any bells going off for you? I love him so much already and I want to do whatever it takes to help him adjust.

[Carrie]

Yeah....some bells are going off. It sounds like he didn't have any security or direction. He probably got in big trouble for peeing inside and other things.... and he's just flat out nervous. Don't scold him, but I'd keep him off the furniture for now. You can even tie him to you so he doesn't race all over like crazy. Keep constant supervision over him when he's loose in the house. And keep doing what you're doing....rewarding him like mad when he goes outside. I wouldn't use any harsh, scary sounding voice or anything with him. He sounds really nervous. But don't make a big fuss over him either when he's nervous. Just be calm and confident and see how he adapts.

Can you enroll him in an obedience class for some socialization with other dogs? How is he with other dogs? You'd get some training tips and he'd have something fun to do and it would get his mind working. He could really use a job. It's a wonderful way to give you and your dog a feeling of partnership, working together and that's how it should be. Make sure it's a gentle trainer, not a scruff, jerk, scold trainer.

I'm sure others will have some ideas for you too.

[DreamWeaver]

I don't know what went on with Baxter before I got him but man, has he come a long way in a month! He is VERY smart and is well socialized with other dogs, cats, and our Amazon parrot. He is the only dog we have but he lives with 3 cats and the parrot. He knows so many commands. He sits readily, stays, heels, etc. I swear someone has already taken him to obedience class and just screwed up parts of it. He is a dream to walk and stays right by your side without pulling or lunging. I may be jumping the gun with the smaller issues but I want to do right by him! I take the trust very seriously that he has in me and I don't want to break that bond! Thank you for your help!