[don&ernie]

Hi all,

I'm fostering (possibly adopting) a 4-5 year old beagle boy, named Bailey. He pees at the slightest anxiety. We've had to learn not to pick him up, approach him too quickly, or forcibly move him anywhere (e.g. nudge him or even gently pull on his collar), except with a leash (an even that doesn't always work), or else be ready to clean up some dribbles of pee (or more), and expect him to go run and hide in his crate or other secluded place for a few hours until he's out of his you scared me mood. It's a shame because he's such a nice, gentle beagle, not even that typical of most beagles. We've had to learn to work around it, by just talking as sweetly as possible, and using treats to entice him to get him from point A to point B. (e.g. when it's time for night night bathroom and bed, and he won't get off the couch) I think I figured out why he came to the shelter overweight!

I've never seen a dog that can be this nervous by humans. Ruby plays and sometimes bullies him, and that never makes him pee, which leads me to believe that his anxiety is just with people. Of course, I don't know his past. He's been tested for UTI, and is fine. We've had him for almost 4 months, and it's improved slightly, but I wonder if he'll always be like this.

I'd love to hear if anyone else had a nervous beagle like Bailey, and any successful tips to get him past his anxiety (and peeing!).

 

[Java]

Sounds like Bailey has had a rough life before being fostered. Anxiety like that usually points to improper socialization and possibly abuse. I know some dogs are just not as confident, but the nervous peeing takes it to another level. When he was tested for UTI, did the Vet mention any other possible conditions or treatments?

My suggestion (and it's by no means a professional one) is that you can work on improving his confidence and comfort with his new environment. Training, praise, and affection are some methods to help with that. Also, try to resist trying to comfort him when he's anxious or nervous--this may be reinforcing and perpetuating this behavior.

Best of luck!

 

[angelaH]

When we first brought Susi home, she would pee for the slightest thing. It took us a couple of years before she was housetrained because of this. First get Baileys confidence, plenty of love, treats and peace. He'll get there in the end.

 

[Toby & Lucky]

Toby would pee when men that were strangers to him came into our home. He had no history of abuse, he has just always been a little shy with strangers, especially men! One thing that helped Toby was that he was crate trained. He really looked at his crate as his den, safe place. So, when we knew the situation was going to arise we would put him in his crate and leave the door open. We let him decide if he wanted to come out to meet and greet or stay in his safe place. While he is still a little shy, he no longer pees. ITA with the pp's that it's a confidence thing. I know Toby's situation was not nearly as troublesome as your situation (all the time), but maybe creating some safe places helped build Toby's confidence?? Maybe that could help Bailey, too.

 

[don&ernie]

Bailey has his safe spaces, too. We have two wire kennels on two floors, and he retreats to them often. He also has no issue being locked in, as long as one of us are within eye sight of him. I keep him locked in during the day while I work in my office. He gets out every few hours for a while (my lunch, walks, etc). Hopefully I'll be able to trust him without having to lock the door eventually, if I keep him. He still lifts his leg in the hallway if not crated when I'm working, no matter how much outside time he gets.

He also has found other sanctuaries in the house - the dining room table, the kitchen table, the stairs landing, my desk (sometimes if I don't crate him) and the foyer. He definitely likes his alone time sometimes.

 

[cobismom]

Casie has a pee problem, also. When he gets excited or afraid he will just loose it. No physical problems just anxious. I don't know that there is a way to fix the problem other than reassurance over time...but it does get frustrating.

Cathy J