[sidescrollin]

I have a 5 month old corgi who has become scared to come and even pees submissively when called to do so. I have no idea what to do and I'm going crazy

It started by taking him downstairs from his crate to the door in the morning where he would pee on the floor while waiting for me to open the door. I would punish him and continue outside so he could actually use the bathroom. He completely confused what he was being punished about and thought it was for being called to come from the top of the stairs so he started coming downstairs and peeing submissively.

There wasn't anyway to tell his reasons for peeing changed so I continued punishing him when he peed. Eventually he got to where he wouldn't want to come and it took coaxing and eventually he wouldn't move at all and when I approach him he pees.

I tried just retraining him come and giving him treats then weening him off treats or using a leash and even if he peed I figured hp it was up controllable so I don't punish him for it.........

 

[sidescrollin]

The biggest problem I think is that he is brilliant. When he can see the leash he knows it's on him and he will have to come or I'll pull at it to get him to. When I have treats he knows I have treats and does whatever I say. But when I don't have treats or theres no leash he just sits there and stairs at me.

I really don't know what to do. Sometimes it helps a little to lay down and call him but lately that doesn't even affect him. He just doesn't come.mand when I have to come and get him he learns it doesnt matter if I call him cuz I'll just come to him.

 

[Abbylynn]

I have a 5 month old corgi who has become scared to come and even pees submissively when called to do so. I have no idea what to do and I'm going crazy

It started by taking him downstairs from his crate to the door in the morning where he would pee on the floor while waiting for me to open the door. I would punish him and continue outside so he could actually use the bathroom. He completely confused what he was being punished about and thought it was for being called to come from the top of the stairs so he started coming downstairs and peeing submissively.

There wasn't anyway to tell his reasons for peeing changed so I continued punishing him when he peed. Eventually he got to where he wouldn't want to come and it took coaxing and eventually he wouldn't move at all and when I approach him he pees.

I tried just retraining him come and giving him treats then weening him off treats or using a leash and even if he peed I figured hp it was up controllable so I don't punish him for it.........

The very first thing to do ... is to stop punishing him. This only makes him more afraid. It will make him afraid to go potty anywhere in front of you ... even outside if you keep doing this. He is peeing because he is afraid of you. You can change this ... but you are going to have to earn his trust now.

First ... can you keep him in your arms while you open the door? This will keep him from making a mistake. You need to set him up to "win" and not "fail" This is the key. Do not allow him to have an accident in the first place. You can do this by attaching him to your side with a leash and keeping an eye on him 24/7 when he is not in the crate. As soon as he begins to start sniffing around and circling and such ... take him outside immediately. You will learn what his potty signals are. Then Praise him when he goes outdoors with a party! Treats are nice too!

Does he have a set eating schedule? This helps for you to know when he has to make his potty trips too.... the old ... after eating, drinking, playing, and napping rules apply.
Also a set schedule is necessary to keep his potty habits in check. You can even make yourself a potty schedule if need be. You can mark down the actual times he goes to give yourself an idea when he needs to be taken out.

Pups do not know they have to potty until they get to be about 6 months or so old. They really do not know or have the physical feeling of having to go. Then they turn into a teenager at 9 months of age or so and forget almost everything they have been taught. It is just a phase. They get better by a year old usually ... sometimes sooner. Potty accidents are no surprise during the teenage years and should be handled just like a refresher course. Been there ... done that a trillion times! Lol!

Be sure to use an enzymatic cleaner to clean up all potty spots or he will just keep going back to the same spot to do his business again!

When he does have an accident ... ignore it ... do not punish him ... immediately take him outside and praise and have a party every time he goes outdoors! Big time!

You need for him to now see and understand that "all good things" come from you ...

There is a good sticky in the dog training forum that would be a good read for you. It is called NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) This may help you establish a better relationship and build his self confidence.

I hope this makes sense and helps you both a bit! Good luck! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Also .... if you feel that he is going potty too often ... there is nothing wrong with a vet check first ... just to be sure there is no UTI going on.

 

[sidescrollin]

Oh sorry if I was unclear at all but I don't punish him anymore and when he eventually comes I praise h I'm even if he is peeing when he gets to me because I figure he doesn't even know he's doing it. The issue is mostly of him coming and not potty training. He is pretty well potty trained. I do pick him up to take him out in the morning so he doesn't pee on the way downstairs

Yesterday I was at the computer and looked at him just to see what he was doing and he loweredmhisnhead and flattened his ears, didn't know why but later I found a pee spot somewhere. Sometimes he goes to the door or gets my attention and sometimes he doesn't try at all and just goes off and pees somewhere.

One other problem I have that I'm also working on is I'm am the disciplinary and constantly trying to praise him for doing good or correct for doing undesirable behavior but my wife constantly praises him and coddles him on the terms of just being cute. So my praise isn't much of a reward for him....

 

[Abbylynn]

Yes ... it is tough when everyone is not on the same page. They just become confused and probably remain confused. I set the rules and the rules remain and it is understood by all.

 

[Catdancer]

I'm a new dog owner and I do not have alot of experience in most doggie related things, but I can share with you something that just happened with us. Our family is myself, my husband, our 3 year old son, 6 cats and Dexter our 5 month old Papillon. We've had some potty issues with Dex, too. I got some great advice from some people here and we've been following it and it's been working. One of our issues was submissive peeing, when ever my husband would come into the room. Just like you, my hubs felt he was the "disiplinarian" and he would punish Dexter. The first thing that we learned is to not punish or yell at them. A 5 month old puppy is an infant. You can compare him to a 9 month old baby. Would you yell and punish a 9 month old baby? No, because at that age, they would not understand, and a puppy at 5 months doesnt understand either. So, we stopped yelling and "disipline". And we started paying more attention to Dexter and we started taking him outside more. We also use the words, pee pee and poo while he is going so that he assosicates the word with the action. It's only been 3 or 4 days and he already knows "pee pee outside". When I ask, he will go to the door with his tail wagging, to go out and potty. So, potty accidents has stopped.

Our next problem was submissive peeing. I explained why Dexter was doing it. And I will tell you what I told my hubs. He loves you, he wants to be near you, but you intimidate him and you scare him. When you approach him, kneel down, dont tower above him, offer your hand palm out, with a treat in it and let him come to you. Make mushy baby sounds to him and tell him what a good boy he is and praise him like crazy. Repeat this several times a day, stop yelling and punishing your puppy and he will start coming to you again in no time. You need to assiciate yourself with good things again. My hubs had associated himself with yelling and punishment. Now, Dexter is crazy happy to see him and no more submissive peeing, because he doesnt feel intimidated anymore.

 

[sidescrollin]

no offense or anything but i dont think a 9 month old baby and 5 month old dog are the same. My dog isn't by any means stupid and he is totally capable of understanding yes and no. I can't teach him to not chew on something by praising him when chewing on his toys. While that does teach him to chew his toys you have to tell them no or drop it when they are into something they shouldn't be.

Again I don't want to come off as rude but I dont think assuming you can't teach your dog what is wrong because they are young isn't quite right. While I have backed off at little bit because I do realize he is knew and im just used to my old dogs that were already trained I am getting annoyed and mad at him when I should just be firm but still.

Also For the past month i have been practicing come with him and doing nothing but praising and petting and rewarding him and it is still the same. thats really why I am asking for help on this because Im not at all being mean, Im laying on the ground making all kinds of inviting calls to him and not being intimidating whatsoever and he still sticks to his spot and cowers.