Problems with toy poodle.

[Dee59]

I own a toy poodle, she is now nearly two years old. She is such a clever little thing but I have a couple of problems which I would like advice on.

Firstly, she can go for hours without needing to do "her business" but if she is left for even 5 minutes you can guarantee she will have either urinated or pooed on the floor. She knows she has done wrong as she hides away. We have tried being angry/ignorning her/ but nothing seems to work,

Secondly, although she is affectionate and loving to us, she is quite aggressive to strangers. It can be quite embarrasing and scary when we are in public places. She barks so aggresively and lunges at people. Why on earth is she like this??

[wildwood]

This problem arises when well intentioned people treat their animal like a child instead of a dog.

You will need to part with a few pounds to get some professional help with animal behaviour adjustment. If she is like this at two years old you are obviously not doing things right and she needs proper remedial training.
Sorry if this sounds harsh but you did ask.

While the voiding inside may be your problem, I worry more about the dog lunging at people - this could easily lead to the dog being hurt, or worse, destroyed by the authorities.

[paraffin]

Hi Dee:

Sorry to hear that you're having such problems. Have you taken her to the vet in case she has some kind of intestinal problem, for example? I'm guessing that she hasn't been spayed? I'm sure the vet could advise you because your doggie obviously shouldn't be messing around the house by now. Best consult your vet is my guess.

Re her aggressive behaviour. Firstly, do you happen to have her on the lead at the time? I appreciate that if she's walking along the street with you, then naturally she'd be on the lead. If it's at this time she is aggressive, you must try to pre-empt it if possible, for example, be ready for her reaction if you see someone coming towards you, keep her on a short lead, and at the first signs of aggression, pull sharply on the lead with a very loud "No" in her ear. Get her to sit as well until whoever it is has gone. You must be extremely firm with her, you are supposed to be her pack leader, and you must show her the right example.

It sounds very much as if she's trying to be pack leader by being aggressive towards strangers but you have to teach her to "know her place". Do you allow her off the lead in fields etc, or is she never allowed off? I'm guessing that you always have her on the lead? If so, her protective instinct towards you could cause the aggression. She should be allowed to interact with other dogs, it's nothing different to humans.

Incidentally, wildwood is over-egging the pudding suggesting that your dog could be destroyed. That would need to be a very extreme case. Believe me, I've had experience of dealing with owners of out-of-control dogs.

Good luck.

[woofgang]

sounds like a stressed little dog here, not confident in her pack leader, soiling when left alone, basically get some help.
tou might try the Taking the lead forum for a start,
you need to join but its free
http://www.takingtheleads.co.uk/

[Dee59]

Thanks for your answers. I take on board Wildwood's comment that I may treat Lulu like a child. I think when Lulu joined our family I did overspoil her. Our beloved dog of 13 years had recently passed away and then sadly both my parents died suddenly. Lulu was bought for me and she helped to get me through this time.

Lulu is spayed and she has routine check ups at the vets. Because of where I live, we do usually walk her on a lead. She is fine when passing other animals and peope but if people approach her (she is cute looking) then this is when she gets aggressive. and picking her up makes her worse. Other than this Lulu is so gentle. She is absolutely great with my husband, children, grandchildren and extended family members. She plays with my daughter's dog, though is the boss of her even though she is younger.!

I have had two previous dogs who reached 13 yrs and 14yrs and no problems with them whatsoever. Lulu is the first bitch we have had.

I will seek advice from my vet. Thank's for your help.

[kita1]

You say "she knows she has done wrong as she hides away".

She does not 'know she has done wrong'. What she does know is that you go out the door (probably making a big fuss of her first - eg stroking her and telling her 'won't be long) and leave her in this big scary house with no one to tell her what to do. She starts to panic and get scared. All animals defacate etc. when scared. Then you come home and she goes to welcome you - you see the mess and get angry and tell her off. She now thinks you are telling her off for greeting you - so next time you come home she sees you walk through the door and remembers that last time you told her off - so she goes and hides.

I presume that when you are at home she is constantly with you?

You could try leaving her in another room for a few minutes and build it up, or get her an indoor cage and make it her den.

The idea is that she is not totally reliant on you ALL of the time.

Also try and prevent her seeing you actually walk out the door and give her a special toy (eg a kong stuffed with treats) that will occupy her when you are not there.

I doubt if there is anything medically wrong with her - it sounds like she is just VERY attached to you and is getting stressed when you are not there.

As regards the snapping at people:

Because she is on a lead you are forcing her into communication with people - she cannot get away so she has only one option - snap and bite. That is why she is worse when you pick her up.

I would ask people not to stroke her (say she has an ear infection or something), but let her go to them if she wishes. You could try getting people to offer a treat and see if she will go to them that way. But always let her get away if she wants to. After all we don't wish to shake hands with every stranger we meet - why should she?

[Dee59]

Hello Kita1

What you say sounds good and I will most definetly try your ideas tomorrow when I leave for work and return home. You make it all sound so clear and simple - thank you. Lulu means so much to me and I want her to be happy and enjoy her life with us.

Watch this space!

With kind regards

[kita1]

Before you leave her try and walk her (or get her to empty herself) about half an hour before you go.

Don't make a big fuss when you leave, try to keep the signals you are going out to a minimum.

When you return, again don't make a big fuss - just walk through the door and carry on as if nothing has happened. If she has made a mess in the house ignore it, preferably take her out of the room and return on your own and clear it away. That way she does not see you are angry/upset.

Of course you have spoilt her a bit - that is part and parcel of why we have pets!!! Most of the fun is spoiling them rotten. The trick is not to make them so dependent upon us that their world collapses when we are not there.

The forum that woofgang mentioned is good, although they are predominately a behaviour/training forum they are not into strict discipline and obedience. They are more about understanding why a dog behaves the way it does and helping the dog and owner to enjoy life together as part of a family. The people on there have a wide range of breeds (mostly as pets) and are very friendly. If you post exactly what you have put on here then I am sure you will get some more in depth advice - you can post longer replies on there!!!

This is a direct link to the forum:

http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/forum/index.php

[madmaggot]

It may seem obvious but you say 'she knows she has done wrong' when she voids in the house, but have you actually taught her where she should do it and do you praise her when she has? Don't just take it for granted that she knows.
Also, she could be doing it for attention so always calmly put her away from you (outside?) as soon as she voids inappropriately as even being angry with her is giving the attention that she craves.
I know it's a bit late now but puppies should be taught to perform on command. This is fairly easy if you decide what the command word is to be and always use the same word, in the same way as you would teach any other command.
And don't expect results immediately, she is going to take a while to get out of this habit as she is an adult dog, be patient with her.
Good luck.