Pooping and peeing in the petstore!!

[ChiPeanut]

Hi everyone,

I have a 5 month old male neutered chihuahua and everytime I take him to a petstore he likes to pee and poop!! He always does both before we enter the store but he manages to go a little more in the store! And it also usually runny whereas its always solid when he is in his own environment. He is still not completely potty trained but we are getting there! Just wondering if this is because he can smell other dogs, or if its because he is nervous or just because he is not potty trained yet?

I want him to know that he is not able to go in there, I have not told him off, I have just cleaned it up, I am often looking at things on the shelves so do not always see when he goes and he also doesn't make any warnings (such as spinning and stuff) as he is on a lead.

Thanks!

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

If he acts nervous in the store it's probably that, but if he's acting confident it's probably because he can smell the other dogs in there.

Be glad he's a Chi, my Greyhound is a marker and it's SCARY taking him in stores. LOL He almost got the cat trees on his first visit to Petco...

[ChiPeanut]

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

If he acts nervous in the store it's probably that, but if he's acting confident it's probably because he can smell the other dogs in there.

Be glad he's a Chi, my Greyhound is a marker and it's SCARY taking him in stores. LOL He almost got the cat trees on his first visit to Petco...

Oh no!! Yeah he seems nervous, he hasn't met many people or dogs just yet, and I usually carry him as I am scared the big dogs may attack him, but I have now started to walk him on the lead and I think he gets scared as every now and then his tail which is usually up, is tucked between his legs. Is your greyhound neutered? Just curious about the marking. Still new to puppy habits!!

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by ChiPeanut

Oh no!! Yeah he seems nervous, he hasn't met many people or dogs just yet, and I usually carry him as I am scared the big dogs may attack him, but I have now started to walk him on the lead and I think he gets scared as every now and then his tail which is usually up, is tucked between his legs.

You have to get over the fear that a larger dog will attack him. People who bring their dogs to pet stores, don't tend to bring them if they aren't dog/people friendly. Plus, your dog will always be nervous if he never gets the chance to interact with other dogs, because you are carrying him. It's ok to be cautious, and maybe wait and see how another dog is behaving and reacting with other dogs before you approach, but you have to give your boy a chance to build some confidence.

[ChiPeanut]

Originally Posted by britishbandit

You have to get over the fear that a larger dog will attack him. People who bring their dogs to pet stores, don't tend to bring them if they aren't dog/people friendly. Plus, your dog will always be nervous if he never gets the chance to interact with other dogs, because you are carrying him. It's ok to be cautious, and maybe wait and see how another dog is behaving and reacting with other dogs before you approach, but you have to give your boy a chance to build some confidence.

Yeah this is what I have been told hence I now let him walk on the lead! It was the first time on the lead today where I didn't pick him up, and he did not do too badly, no growling (which he usually does when i hold him) and he sniffed his first dog. Puppy class in 2 weeks so more socialising then!!

[britishbandit]

That's great that you signed up for puppy classes! It'll really help.

[Doglover1988]

My dog Lucy was the same way as a puppy. I took her to my local tractor supply because me and my club (ffa) were doing a cookout on the grand opening. She was there all day and she decided to pee in the store instead of outside all day long. They finally got sick of her and asked for her not to come back inside. She did this when at home she was perfect. I can now safely take her to the store with me though (she is now a year old.) not sure what to tell you though about your little guy. Just wanted to let you know your not alone.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

ChiPeanut- you're doing the right thing leaving him down to greet new people and dogs, and puppy class will be a huge help. Good work! My Greyhound is nuetered, but you know they say the later you nueter tham the more likely it is they'll have already established the behavior of marking? Aysa wasn't nuetered until he was 4 years old because that's when his racing career ended (standard procedure for Greyhounds not to get altered until they retire or if they were really good, after they retire and are used for breeding). So it's just one of those things.

[Beryl]

Good job ChiPeanut! The puppy classes will help.

Boo (12 lbs) has big dog issues but I got him at 3.5 years old. Even after socialization with smaller dogs and big dogs right next to the little dog pen, he is still scared of big dogs and acts out at the PetsMart.

OTOH, I got Latte (9 lbs) at 3 months old started him at Day care right away and puppy training at 9 months. He is fearless (which scares me). At the PetsMart, he will try to approach any dog no matter the size for meet & greet and then play. I keep Latte at a distance until I'm sure about the big dog, however. Imagine a 9 lb dog playing with a 100 lb one. You've got to laugh but it is a little scary to me at times. I will still never let him go to a Day Care that doesn't separate the dogs.

I have every confidence that if you get your dog socialized with all kinds of dogs, your little guy will be fine at the pet stores. You are catching him while he is still a baby.

[ChiPeanut]

Thank you for all your replies! I look forward to starting puppy class so he can meet lots of people!

[Young kid]

He's a dog, thats what they do. You must teach him not to do so, or it will become a habit. If you think it is a health concern than take him to the vet, or if you really want some advice that is garenteed to work than go to the vet.(If your willing to give up some money)


I'm a professional when it comes to puppies. But dogs not so much. There is a couple of reasons why he might be spilling in the store

1. He may like the smell of the store, or the scent of the store encourages him to do so, if this is the reason there are dog sprays that have certain scents that would make a dog go to the bathroom. Buy a bottle. Teach him.

2. It might be the dogs around him. If what you said about his crap trrue,(all liquidy and stuff) than he's probably very nervouse. Help him with his socializing skills gotta go bye!