Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My husband and I got a Springer Spaniel mix from our local shelter 3 days ago. When we saw Sid at the shelter he was a very sweet boy and still it in our home. There are a few behaviors that Sid has that I am not sure how to correct. The first night, Sid would not come off the couch for hours and had not peed in 6 hours and it was bedtime so we tried to coax him to go outside. Eventually, my husband tried to help Sid off the couch (he is 30 lbs overweight) and Sid instantly peed on the couch. Sid also submissively urinates whenever my husband and I come home or get him out of his kennel in the morning. We don't make a big deal about it and always take him outside right away to prevent further accidents. Are there other things I can do to help Sid stop this behavior? I know that the peeing on the couch was that he was probably scared and we haven't approached him that manner again. Also, Sid will only sit in two spots, in his kennel or on the couch. He was in the shelter for 8 months and we are trying not to rush him into doing things in our home, but we do want him to feel comfortable moving around the house. How can I help him understand that this is his home and he does not have to stay in one place all day? He will come if called several times, but sometimes he will start toward one of us and then go back to the couch/kennel. He wouldn't eat the first day and the second day he would eat if we put the bowl on the couch beside him and turned away from him. I don't want to encourage that behavior, but he also needs to eat/drink. I've never had a shelter dog before and I want to make his transition as easy for him as possible. He is a sweet boy and only wants attention. He is fine with someone sitting by him and loves to move closer to us for pets. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Sid is feeli overwhelmed and quite honestly probably doesn't even know his own name (they typically rename shelter dogs). So he's confused, in a strange place, and just not right. Take it slow with this guy. If it were me, I'd lay on the floor with a blanket over me and my back to the dog and just read a book. I might even have some cheese and crackers to snack on while reading. You'd be so surprised at how less intimidating a human is when they just lay on the floor and relax and read. Dogs sense this and I'd say 90% of them will come over by you and lay closer to you. Give a treat for that. Right now you just have to be friends and establish a trust between you two. It's going to be a slow process so you might want a long book. DO this daily for as long as you can- hours would be ideal and keep the TV, radio, and other noises off. Also, teach this pup his name by saying it and pairing it with a treat. You may also want to enroll in an obedience class in about a month or so. Sounds like Sid doesn't know the basics, and that's ok, he will learn.

For getting him outside, put a long line on his leash and grab that when you need him to come to you. It's less threatening to a dog when you are further away. Also, you may want to check his hearing- he might have an ear infection and he may not be able to hear your calls.

I'm sure it really won't take Long and Sid will be a bouncy happy dog. For now, just realize he's been through a lot and he needs some time to adjust.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles