Naughty Dog

**DIANNEKB** · 14-01-2006 18:47

Anyone get some advice for me.... hope so ..

well I have a 5 year old bull mastiff (we bought him thinking he was a purebred but he doesnt look like one)

He has anxiety issues and wont stay outside during the day ... as a matter a fact he stays in side all the time unless he has to go to the toilet.. but lately he is weeing inside my bedroom on my $200 curtains

and he just wont stop.

The vet put him on medication ages ago when he was initially diagnosed with anxiety but it never did nothing for him...

Anyone got any advcie as he is driving me crazy at the moment being inside with his hair malting (even though he is short hair) and him peeing in my bedroom... I want to try and sort him out before bubs arrives in 4 weeks time...

Anyhelp would be appreciated.

Di.

**reAllytee** · 14-01-2006 20:20

It does sound like anxiety as well as stress this is usually a big thing with animals knowing there is an impending birth. My dog did this also was fun NOT !
Marking his territory & the likes just so you all realise he is boss is another thing.
The thing to do i would say is go back to your basic training with him.
Also not letting him wander around the house also seems an idea ! This will also assert your dominance over him in that you only allow him to go where YOU want not where he wants. I had to do this with my dog awhile ago due to her issues & a few things put into place helped one was going back to all her basic training & the other was asserting my dominance over her. She went from having run of the house to only being allowed in certain areas ( this is also a good thing to start now as you want your dog to know bubs room is off limits ! ) She was allowed to follow us to the kitchen or the likes but had to stay with me or my partner when she did or otherwise if we were watching telly she had her own mat & that was were she had to stay no roaming or the likes unless it was to advise she needed to toilet. Its really hard work especially when you havent had these in place but for me it did wonders ! I did this along with a few other things as advised by my dog trainer maybe you need to invest in one (?) they are well worth it if things just dont work.
My dog trainer also writes books id advise to invest in it if you can its called "The Dog Whisperer" by John Richardson. He is fantastic im always raving about him

Its just he was my angel at the time it only took a few visits & my dog was back on track plus using the book as a tool also was great it has heaps of training tips & stories which help you to understand how dogs think etc. He never uses harsh techniques either which i think is great as some trainers can be rather nasty IMO
Id say using some good training will help your dog especially when the pills arent working for one & really these dont often work if there arent any rules as such in place for them to understand their place in your pack.
I wish you all the best !
Sounds like you also got cheated with the dog not being a pure bred ! Happens way to often cant wait for the day they dont allow this to happen anymore ! All i can advise is next time make sure you use a reputable breeder from the canine council

**Chickadee** · 15-01-2006 10:54

Is he peeing on the curtains when you're home with him or when you're out? I ask because when we adopted a dog from a refuge we had huge house training issues with her for years and it was because she was so subtle about asking to go out that we were missing it. If it's happening when you're home then you need to keep very close watch on him for the next 4 weeks and catch him in the act. There's not point reprimanding him after the fact. If it's when you're out of the house then I'd suggest he be left outside when ever you are gone.

Some general ideas are below, off the top of my head. Some of these might be good ideas, some might be bad ones

But I'll leave it up to you to judge what might help in your own situation.

Get rid of the curtains. We found that if we didn't completely eliminate the smell of previous accidents then our dog would continue to urinate there. The spot became "accepted" in her mind. So take down the curtains in the short term at least, or keep him out of your bedroom.

Try to gradually get him used to being outside. Is he anxious outside if you're out with him? If not then it seems more like separation anxiety and not just of being outside. Try spending time out with him every day.

Does he have a house or bed outside in a sheltered comfy area? One of our dogs likes being enclosed, when in the house she curls up in corners or against furniture so she has a dog house outside. The other is happy with just a trampoline bed. Figure out his preferred security space and try to recreate it outside.

You could try introducing a crate in the house for him to sleep in. Put it somewhere where he can see you most of the time, like in the lounge or a central hallway if you have the space. Let him explore it on his own and get used to it. If he's very comfortable in it then you could shut the door on it and have him sleep in there at night. The idea is to make it his safe place inside, and then eventually move it outside for him.

**DIANNEKB** · 15-01-2006 10:55

Thanks for your advice Ally.. I am going to get cracking on training the dog now...

A friend of mine is saying oh you better put your dog down... which I think is a terrible statement cause I do love my dog and just cause he is naughty is no reason to put him to sleep ... I suppose some poeple just arent animal lovers...

Di..xx

**DIANNEKB** · 15-01-2006 11:00

Thanks Martha for your advice....

Yes he is scared of being otuside ... that's why he is indoors all the time... he used to scale our 6 foot fences and run away when we left him outside so for his safety we leave him in, he used to have horrendous cuts on him when he got out.
I think it is a combination of seperation anxiety but I am going to get him to spendmore time outside over the next few weeks to see if I can combat that...

I think what started it was stupid neighbours setting of fireworks and ever since then he just wont stay in the backyard.

Di.xx

**reAllytee** · 15-01-2006 13:32

DIANNEKB - Its funny how some people are isnt it ?

There was no way i would have put my dog down even with all her issues ( she was inter dog aggressive due to being attacked as well as very dominant over me fine with my partner though ) it was a case of time & patience which i know is hard for a lot of people to find as well as have but to me a dog is like family so just because im not getting along with family or have those who have been rude or the likes i dont go get them put down !!! ( mind you when it comes to my MIL

)
Anyways i hope with a few good measures he comes good & im sure he will as soon as he realises how safe & secure he is with having a great owner willing to help him when he needs it

**DIANNEKB** · 15-01-2006 19:33

Hey Ally,

I totally agree... some people are cruel ... my dog is a part of the family even though he drives me nuts and as you say family can annoy us but we dont put them down... I am thinking wicked thoughts now about my SIL...

ha ha

Di.