critter_fritter79

Cool...even a place for dog questions on here! Ok, here goes. I have a puppy that is 1/2 german shep and 1/2 dachshund,,I know..very strange mix but he is actually totally adorable! His name is Parker (for Ball Park hotdogs). The trouble I am having with him is this...I want very much to get him housebroken but can't really start because he is one of those that everytime you reach down to pet him, he gets so happy that he just "leaks" everywhere. Plus he seems like he is scared of being inside. Whenever we bring him in for a few inutes, he just hides, either behind my legs or under the chairs. Any suggestions??

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bolivianbaby

How old is he? It's an over-excited and submissive gesture.

Have you worked him on basic obedience, like sit, stay, down, etc. Where does he live? Outside or inside with the family?

critter_fritter79

He is starting to get too old from what i have heard. He was born on the 4th of July. Mostly he lives outside but I try to bring him in at least once a day to play with the kids. On the upside, he has never piddled in the house even once. He was the runt of the litter though, and got whooped on by his bigger brothers and sisters. I bred his mother, a GS to another GS, but the kids let her out after school on day and didn't watch her. I know she got bred by a Dach because he was still locked up with her when I got home. He is the only puppy that has the Dach traits which made him much smaller than the other 7. I had suspected the "leaking" was due to him being low man on the totem pole. 90% of the time he gets the sit command right and we are working on stay, lie down and belly up (present belly for rubbing). He seems very smart just really unsure of himself especially inside.

P.S. I am trying to get this resolved before cold weather sets in, I hate to see dogs outside shivering in the snow, but he seems to be terrified of being inside.

bolivianbaby

Too old for what? Training? They're never too old for training. I've been training dogs for many years. I also used to foster for a lab rescue. Most of my dogs were 2-3 years old when they came to me. I would train them in basic obedience and proper manners before I would allow them to be adopted out.

Basic obedience increases the bond between dog and handler. It helps teach your dog to trust you and respect your leadership. Once that groundwork is established, you bring your dog inside when you want him inside, you let him outside when you want him outside. He will learn to respect your judgement as long as you're a fair and responsible leader.

Dogs are pack animals and look to you for guidance on how to live in the "human world". It's our job to teach them what's acceptable and what's not.

gremlin

Sounds like submissive urination - you are reaching down to him to pet him, but he sees it as you looming over him threateningly. Instead of bending down to pet him, sit down or bend over to the side and call him to come to you for petting. That way he won't feel quite so threatened. If he starts to get too excited, then walk away until he calms down again. Then, instead of going all the way up to him, sit down a bit away and calmly call him to you. If you reinforce the calm behavior, he may stop the submissiveness. Also, taking him through obedience training will help to build his confidence so he won't be quite so nervous. As for being in the house, have a spot that is just his - a blanket or a pillow or a rug. Pick a time when it is relatively quiet in the house. Bring him in on his leash and walk him to his spot. Sit with him and have him sit or lay on his rug and give him tiny pieces of treats (boiled chicken works really well for this). Let him look around and sniff around a bit and as he explores let him find a bit of treat here and there. Then it won't be quite so scary when he comes in to play with the kids. Let the kids know that if he goes to his spot, they are to leave him alone. That way if he starts to get too excited you can take him to his spot to calm down. Pretty soon he will learn that if he is done playing, he can go to his spot and the kids will leave him alone. Then he won't need to hide behind you.

sirdarksol

My thoughts on the matter:

Work on the leaking as described above, primarily with letting him realize that he's got some sway with the family (sit/lay down, let him come to you for treats/belly rubs)

As for getting him used to indoors:
Pick a room that's easily cleaned (linoleum or ceramic tile is best), use kiddie gates to block it off. It's best if this room also has access to the outdoors, so you can start working on housebreaking from the same room.
Bring the poor little guy inside for a little bit at a time and do your best to make it a happy occasion for him.
As was mentioned above, do not approach, but rather let him approach you while sitting (make sure the rest of the family knows this rule). Provide treats or make it mealtime for him. He should get used to the idea of being inside. Then you can start working on housebreaking.
As he gets used to being indoors, and as you begin trusting him with being indoors, you can start expanding the area he's allowed to roam. Don't force him to explore. Let him do it on his own. Just move the gates (or remove them entirely) to give him more space to be.