My husband brought a 2 yr old Australian Shepard into our home. She was a rescue and had no "manners" at all. We knew she had the ability to become a wonderful part of the family except for the piddling. We began treating the frequent over-excited states with no looking/touching/talking when coming home until she was more calm. More exercise. Food was the key to basic training and snapping her out of over excited states. Her leader tendencies decreased with having her dinner after we had eaten. Certain jestures were recognized as piddling triggers (speaking to her and reaching forward to touch her). Still problems persisted and even I was ready to give up. The vet gave her a clean bill of health. Now what?
We changed our approach with her. If she piddled- no talking to her/ no anger. Piddling meant the chin touched the pee and she was escorted to the backyard for a while. We changed how we communitcated with her by trying to focus on what we were thinking. If we were introducing someone, which can be very anxiety producing, we introduce them outside the house. Lots of potty breaks where we go outside with her and go back in together after she pees. I spent more time on the floor to be her level. I sit and let her come to me to give me kisses and receive lots of petting. She would lie next to me touching my body, which she did not do before. I give her kisses on her mussel and talked to her about how special she is. She now piles on the master bed when we have family TV so she is laying "with the pack". Her trust has increased and she seems to be improving by leaps and bounds. There is a deep closeness now. It's not perfect yet, but we are getting there and just like life, it's a work in progress. Good luck!

Hi Cesar,

We adopted a 2 year old Pom cross from our neighborhood shelter about a month ago. We named him Danny Boy. He's a sweet little dog with a few minor behavioral problems. But basically, he's a loving little guy and well house trainied. He loves my husband above all others and has proved it by submissive tinkles that at first we didn't understand or know how to handle, but we are slowly bringing the tinkling under control. Tonight, Danny did a very unusual thing, anyhow it seemed that way to me. He always has chew bones and tonight, out of the blue, he brought his chew bone to my husband and gave it to him. Rich took it and even pretended to chew on it while Danny watched. Then Danny took his bone and went back to his place at Rich's feet and chewed on the bone. Does this mean something significant? I, myself, thought it was pretty darn sweet.

Thanks for listening,

Tina spencer