any chance of you coming to Chicago???I volunteer at a no-kill shelter in the northwest suburbs-no-kill means we have alot of "special needs" dogs that really need an expert to help us make them adoptable. We could fill a whole hour on some of our residents! With your help maybe you can show us the way to finally be able to give these dogs homes. HELP!!!! wendy horton save-a-pet grayslake Ill

I bought a dog from the pound two years ago. He is afaid of any human that approaches him. he is not like this around me and I find it very sad that he can not open up in front of others. How can I get a copy of the episode with the scared dog. I would love to see the tecniques used by Ceasar.

Jason Glaser

My Jack Russell gets angry and upset wehen I leave.She runs in front of the door and baracades it. and she barks for minutes after I leave. Is this a bad case of serperation anxiety? What can be done it's getting worse all the time.

I just watched episode 2. Had a lot of fun. Cesar is so confident in his abilities, what a joy to witness!
I particularly liked Boo and Papa, the pig.
That lady really learned more about herself than she bargained for. Super! :) Thanks, Cesar!

I have a 9 month old Shar Pei. She is wonderful, but my question is when do puppys stop being puppys? She still has behaviors of a puppy and I guess my concern is when does this stop or when do I know that I need to intervene more to prevent these actions from happening. I even took her to puppy preschool and it didn't seem to help. She is my first pet on my own so I worry that I am not doing things right.

In response to Thomas Boyd, as a fellow JRT owner (I have three), I've also had to confront this problem. I only know what has worked for me, and I still consult a professional when I encounter a problem I can't wrap my head around.

I do have a few questions for you.... How old is your dog? Has she always done this? Is your dog crate-trained? Do you give your dog lots of attention right before you leave the house? Does she destroy anything while you are gone? Do you shower attention on/get really excited with your dog and allow her to jump up when you first arrive home? If you do, you may be reinforcing her bad behaviors.

In order for my dogs and I to get past this, I initially had to ignore them for at least 10-15 minutes prior to leaving over a several-month-period. They are so intelligent and are master body-language readers, so they always know when I am preparing to leave the house. When leaving, I tell them to "get in their beds" in the laundry room, and once they are sitting or laying in their beds, I give them their daily greenie. If I have to put them (Dolly) there, I continue to ignore her. I changed leaving from a 'bad' event to a 'good' one. I also set the alarm every time I leave, so they know exactly what the timer beeps mean. Now when I leave, they are usually sitting in their beds in the laundry room waiting for me to get there. They also wait there for the garage door to close before they come out of the house, because they know that is the 'rule'.

If I am only gone a short time (running to the grocer's and back), I may leave them in the house because they have EARNED their freedom. When they were very young, they had to stay in an exercise pen, then in one room, and finally the run of the house. If they misbehave when I am gone, they lose their freedom. They know this, and CHOOSE to behave properly.

When I get home, they know they have to sit down and be calm before they will receive any sort of attention from me. If they jump up, I put my knee up (they jump into it) then walk forward and through them. I ignore them (I don't even look at them!) until they do this. They may have to run a few laps around the yard, but within a couple of minutes, they come back and sit down, ready to be calm.

My other thought is about a crate. Does your dog have one? I crate trained my dogs from the start, and they now consider it their "safe place." When they are tired, scared, stressed, or need a break from visitors, they retreat to their crates. Even though their "naughty spot" is also their crate, since I put them there and I'm the boss, they are comfortable with it.

My last thought is about the age of your dog. My dogs were well-behaved, but r-e-a-l-l-y energetic when they were puppies. I still have to take Mojo for a walk of at least an hour to expend some energy before we go to Agility class so he can focus. If I don't, I might as well not even have gone to class because he is so wound up. As my dogs have matured, they have mellowed.... Most people ask if I am sure they are Jack Russels... when they aren't screeching at rodents, that is!

I was reminded of this when we were given another puppy who is a year old. He didn't formerly exercise much nor did he have any consequences for bad behavior. I had nearly forgotten the boundless energy they have when they are puppies! We have to make sure he gets LOTS of exercise so he can control himself.

Mojo and Dolly are the best dogs I've ever had. They bring me so much enjoyment, laughter and love. I can't imagine my life without them!!!! I wish you the best of luck and a long happy life with your girl!!!

As a dog groomer I am wondering what insight you may have to help out with those pets who continually want to challenge us in the grooming environment. Some I have been able to bring around nicely to understand and not be fearful, while others seem impossible. I am grooming a Schnauzer now for 3 years every 8 weeks. I still cannot get him under control when using clippers around his face and it always seems worse on his right side. Vet has checked him out and no apparent health problem. I am his 2nd groomer. His vet supplies them with ACE now to give before grooming and I notice it seems to exacerbate his anxiety so I will be discussing that with the owner. She has stayed to help contain him while doing his ear hair. Really any knowledge anyone may have would be a blessing if you could pass it along to me.

We have spent a couple of thousand dollars on our four year old Wire Haired Fox Terrier, Natasha. She has had a personal trainer (that was a bust) and several group trainers. She is in off-leash obedience classes, agility and soon to start Rally. However, she is wildly agressive with other dogs, never biting but threatening, barking, growling and jumping. She does the same thing with my husband at home if he tries to go outside or even from one room to another without her. If he turns his back, she will nip him in the rear or bite at his clothing. Once she is in his lap, she is the sweetest little dog. I am concerned also because one of the really agressive shepherds in the obedience class finally had to be put down because it bit the owner quite badly (started out nipping during training). Natasha behaves very well in obedience class. In fact, she is like a different dog but I cannot trust her in the ring off leash and at home, she is a tyrant.

HELP! My best friend Lynn adopted a dog ,Plato, at the local shelter. We knew when she adopted him that he had some big issues. He was removed from a home that had at least 27 dogs. He was never really socialized with humans and is extremely fearful, though sweet.He is very submissive and doesn't seem aggressive at all.I believe that he was never inside until he went to the shelter. The shelter people suggested that she visit him there for a while before bringing him home so she visited every day for a week and he began to be a little less timid with her.When she got him home, he retreated to her bathroom and hid under her sink.Lynn has had Plato for about 6 months now and he still basically lives in her bathroom under the sink. He comes out into her bedroom when she is in there and even sleeps with her,relishing the affection but will not generally come out of that area on his own. When we force him to come out into the house, he usually hides under a chair in the living room. He will dash out to be petted for a few seconds, them run back in. I visit often with my two dogs and he trusts me and seems much more confident when around other dogs.
He is beginning to accept Lynn's boyfriend but only for brief periods, and only in the bedroom, before retreating under the sink. We live in the country and often take long hikes with the dogs off leash. Plato stays with us and always comes when we call him. He is a different dog outside exhuberant,confident and very playful but he has learned that when we call him, he is put on a leash to be taken inside. Now, although he still comes every time we call him he will not let us catch him. He brushes playfully past us running at full speed. When we go inside, he won't come in. We call him and he whines and barks, dashing forward and running back with his tail between his legs. He seems to want to come in to be with us but is just too fearful. Sometimes if we leave the door open and play with the other dogs or ignore him, he will come in but it seems to be getting worse. Sometimes he stays out all night before she can coax him in. He always stays close to the house but winters in our area are very cold. Lynn knows she should probably keep him on the leash when we walk but after he has been holed up in her tiny bathroom he has so much energy to burn! and it is so wonderful to see the dog he becomes when free. He actually has come pretty far since she got him but still has so very far to go. Please help! Is there hope for this dog?

I found the episode with Sonny very helpful but would like to see you address fear aggression if you have not done so before, I just started watching the show as I just got a dog. She has fear of people but instead of shutting down which I've seen addressed, she is very aggressive toward the stranger.

We do not get your program in my area , but I have seen it while traveling to dogs shows , I have a pack of 10 English Mastiff all live in my house with us Males and females and all eat together with only the occasional grumble which I quickly punish , If a dog growls over the food I quickly remove that dog from feeding , so I don't have food issues with the dogs if they want to eatthey have to be polite with the other dogs . When I go walking I to squirm when I see how other peoples dogs behave , If I allowed my 200 pound dogs to act as badly as many of those smaller dogs did I would be kicked out of the city .

I have 2 pets, Matty is a shih tzu female 4 1/2 months old and Deacon is my male pug almost 6 months old. I had them for about 2 months. When we took in Vader male shih tzu 9 he was 6 weeks old at the time). We have had Vader almost 5 weeks. All of them are crate trained and are on a great schedule. But our household problem is that Vader is very dominate/aggressive. He attacks the other 2 dogs all the time. He yaps very loud and sometimes for what seems to be no reason at all. He can be very stubborn. I have tried the taking him by the scruff and rolling him over. And he yaps like I am hurting him. I am lost about how to handle him. In the 5 weeks that we have had him, I have not had a moment that I have enjoyed him. I have noticed that the other 2 dogs will not eat right and Matty is always shaking now. How do I break him of this. It seems that when its just the 2 of us Vader and myself, he is ok, He is stubborn but I can manage him pretty good. I dont work so I am at home with the all the time. They are never alone.

What do I do ? I have read many books and I am just confused as to how I break the behavior problem that he has. He is a really beautiful dog, I just dont know what to do.

Please help us help him.
signed Yapped out !

To Jason Glaser,
What type of fear response is the dog showing, that's very important on how you respond to him, and how you change it?
If he hides, don't let him, socialize him more, and if he won't walk in public on lead, change the brain and entice him with food initally, then get him moving, then stop the treats. Ceasar does alot of this, change the pattern that the dog has adopted with his thinking, refocus to something else, does he show aggresion towards people when they approach? This is whole different deal then.

How can I get a copy of this episode. I adopted a Katrina orphan -- and she goes through periods where she is very frightened of us. Usually it's my husband, but if I drop something and make a loud noise it can be me.
What to do?

hi cesar thank you for giving so much of your love for k9s and sharing it with others. you will always be my mentor, ron bevacqua,cpdt

my 8 year old dog has begun a new behaviour, one that is not too great!!
he can be outside 18 hours, and seems to save up all his pee for when he comes in the house!!
he still does his other business outside, but manages to pee up a storm when he gets in..I have had to toss expensive rugs and just tiles and he is at it again. I have tried a pee nomore kind of spray..but thisis madness..why is he doing this? he gets to sleep with me as always, eats plenty gets loads of attention, nothing changed around him, he changed, is he incontinent? I have him in home made diapers..man this is awful!!
help

molly,

first and foremost, bring your 8 year old dog to the vet to rule out any urinary problems like a urinary tract infection, which is common in older dogs and makes it difficult for them to hold it in. It can be fixed. i hope the best for you and him.

Dear Ceaser,
I purchased a great dane from a breeder when he was 13 weeks old. When i went to pick him up he tried to get back in the incloser where he was raised with his littermates.When the owner placed him in the truck he jumped out.When we got him home he was scared of everthing exp. my husband. We have another dane and an older black lab who adores my husband. But to this day our male dane is terrified of my husband.He doesnt care for men at all.Is nervous of strangers but is very different with men.I love him and i love my husband it drives us crazy that he wont let my husband around him without being nervous and cowering.The first thing people says is hes been abused which is farthest from reality.Please Help we want him inside with us but he hates it he tries to get back outside with the other dogs. What are we doing wrong.I wasn't able to socialize him properly due to finding out we were expecting our third child after having him a few short weeks.IS THERE HOPE FOR US AND MOSLEY?SINCERE CONCERNS:ASHLEY LAMBERT

I think that anyone who abuses animals are crazy. Animals are loving, and gental, sweet. And I belive that the reson why animals are being abuse is because they see it and they think that it is okay to abuse one another. Which it is not.

I have adopted a Pembroke Welch Corgi from the breed rescue that has a fear of strangers, especially men. He just prefers to leave--go out his doggy door or hide under the table. He is fine with me & most other women & has learned over time to be comfortable with some men. Before seeing Cesar I would have men give him treats, but now I think that I am just nuturing the unacceptable behavior. I would appreciate seeing an episode where Cesar deals with people shy problems in dogs. I thought it he had probably had negative instances with men, but since watching Cesar I have learned that dogs live in the moment. I don't know if he would bite if he was unable to get away. BTY The Dog Whisperer has become one of my favorite shows. Keep up the good work.

I have an English Mastiff of 1 1/2 years. When I originally went through obedience training with him, he was outstanding but he would pee sometimes uncontrollably. I went to a behavioralist which was no help at all (in fact he trained the Presidents dog and was still no use) But I got my dog neutered after that and the problem was solved. He would not pee in the house after being there for long periods or anxiety while playing. However, I got a new roommate who occupys a room that my dog use to sleep in. No worries I now have 4 dog beds for him in other rooms. At the same time I had the kitchen renovated and moved his food dish to the foyer. Contractors were coming and going and the dog didn't know what to do, bark etc...so when I would come home he would run through the house peeing. I have a 200lb dog with gallons of urine running through a 4000sqft home. Its a nightmare to clean up. I don't know why he now is submissive to me and the workers (who are all gone now) But since things have calmed down he now waits in the foyer until I get home or sleeps on a dog bed in the living room. When I come in the house he greets me at the door, then puts his tail between his legs and hunches down and pees everywhere. Then he runs to the kitchen where he does it again and then lays in it as if ashamed. I have been living this way for a month now and went to the vet to have his urine check, only to find that one they didn't check for disease or problems but they keep wanting more money...profit thing. I still have a 200lb baby that urinates all over the house and the himself. I stopped holding him and saying its all right because I didn't want to encourage the behavior. I have tried ignoring it and going on my routine of getting ready for a walk as if nothing happened and later I clean it. Nothing seems to work and currently I sent him back to the vet and behavioralist. I fear I will hear the same thing, your dog is crazy and give us more money. I also fear that I am at a breaking point and ready to give the dog up. I honestly need some guidance as soon as possible.

Thanks for all of the advice. The problem is not aggression with my dog. He has bitten a couple of people, but it was more out of fear. He felt very pinned at the time and could not run. I always make him sit out when people are around. The problem is he just sits and shakes. He will not even take a treat when we are out in public. This is so upsetting to me because I see how friendly he can be, but put someone he doesn’t know in front of him and he will ball up in the corner and shake. It is so sad.

My problem is that I have a new cable service and I do not get Caesar’s show anymore. I would really love to get my hands on episode 2. (the one about the scared dog). I have tried everything I can think of. I just do not know how to train a dog not to be scared.

HELP ME CEASAR.

I find it interesting that although Cesar does not answer the questions posted here himself, the other dog owners help each other. Maybe National Geo should consider a board on this site. I realize Cesar is way to busy to answer all but I wish there were some way he could post tips on certain issues we could use a search for. Anyways, my problem is my little Springer spaniel. She is a rescue dog and I have a learned a lot from the program. She is great except like one of the other writers, she barks all day long when I leave for work. I even make sure when I leave I am matter of fact and I don't give in to the behavior, so I am not sure why it is continuing. I have tried shushing her like on the program before I leave, but it still continues. I am looking in to getting a dap diffuser but I cannot afford it. I have started taking her on 45 minute walks each day before work, which has helped a little, but the barking continues, even worse I took the advice of a groomer and put country music on, now she has learned to howl. I bought her a yummy ball which she does love but seems to afraid when I leave that she does not even want to play with it.I learned a lot from Cesar, but how do counteract a problem that happens when I am not there????

Lisa,

Make sure that when you introduce Eddy to someone new that they kneel down to Eddies level(its more reassuring to the dog)and they do not look Eddy in the eyes( between dogs, the stare is a dominant and challenging gesture) and they calmly reach their hand out for Eddy to sniff. Walking towards a dog that is backing away is invading their personal space when they are not ready, and may lead to a bite. Ignore the dog when he is being anti-social. Trying to comfort him when he is hiding may let him think that being shy and hiding brings him attention and rewards from you. It is best to let him come out on his own terms. Remember that when you are nervous that he may bite someone that he is being introduced to, he is very in tuned to your energy, and that just may make him nervous enough to bite. If you are actually feeling relaxed and assertive enough to tell the person 'hes shy, but let him come to you' he may pick up on that and he just may relax a little. If he decides to back away and hide, let him go. It will just take time, maybe even a few years for a full recovery, but with patience and frequent exposure to people, he will come around and realize that people are good. When he gets the courage to approach a new person, be sure to praise him with a nice 'good boy, see its ok' and let the new person give him attention, so he will soon learn that you are not the only person that will give him love and attention if he approaches people.

I have a rescued male golden retriever, Cassidy, have had him for 1 year. He is 4-1/2. He was used as a breed dog and is very shy with other people. He shows no aggression whatsoever and is content to stay on our bed or the family room couch. He does not lick or wag his tail, except when following us out or in the yard. He has learned to wag it when on the couch and he thinks he is going to get a treat. He does not play with toys, balls, anything. He trembles when approached by a stranger. He has loosened up when we pat on the bed he will come up to us and lay by us to be petted. He loves to be loved and petted, but just feel bad that he is so fearful of others and doesn't know how to play. He is a 97 lb. sissy! He is big boned and beautiful. Any suggestions to get him less fearful and just how to go "retrieve" ? He walks great on a leash, I would call him a follower and he has learned how to shake hands, but balks at any other commands. He doesn't come to greet you at the door with tail wagging and licking like most goldens. Just comes out to the couch. We love him to pieces but just don't feel he is happy, just content to be with us.

Hi All,
a very informative place I should compliment all.
I to have a similar problem, we have a Golden Retriver and a Neopolitan Mastiff, Miss - Chief and mystique. Mystiqe is a new member in the family, she came in about 15 days ago, now the problem is Mystique is extreamly scared to come out for a walk, Miss chief is allways ready for a walk and is without a leash as she is a companion dog, Mystique on the othe rhand is huge (she is about 3 month old and is bigger then the retriver).
Am just worried as to what is the problem with her, I am sure she was abused at the kennel from where I got her.
She tends to be very agressive with our persian cat also (Cuddles).
Please suggest what is to be done or a good book to help me out. Being in India I dont have access to the DVD's and TV Shows.
Help.

Dear Caesar,

I bought a German Shepherd puppy 1 year ago. She was very sick and almost died. I believe she had Parvo...although it was never confirmed. I took her back to the breeder because he already had a vet taking care of the rest of the litter. She was emaciated as was the rest of the litter. The breeder called me a week later and told me the puppy was much better and asked if I would still like to have her. I agreed as my family and I had become attached to her the little amount of time we had her in our home. She was extremely thin when we brought her back, but the vommiting and diarhhea had stopped and I fed her quality food and she is now a beautiful 90 pound German Shepherd. The problem is, she has dry dog food available all the time...although she is not too fond of it, she'll eat it. She has begun to growl at my 15 year old irish setter cross who is deaf. I have tryed everything to stop the behavior. The 15 year old dog can't hear her anyway. I have two children and am afraid the problem may get worse with age. Do you think this is happening because of her trauma of starvation as a puppy, or am I not doing everything I can to fix the situation. She seems exited aggressive most of the time although, when she's nice there couldn't be a sweeter more loving dog. Please, I do give her rules, boundaries and limitations and then affection. What can I do to fix this as we love her very much and we want a happy, balanced dog?

So i have a one year old teacup chihuahua ... the cuttest little thing full of energy and playfull ... his name is Eden ...

We do have a problem with him though, he never comes when we call him ... he will literally stand there and not come ... we try reassuring him that everything is ok and for him to come sit with us ... but either he'll just stand there or we go and pick him up and bring him to sit with us ... [i know thats bad and that we should wait for him to come - but we have tried calling him for more than an hour at times ... and he just doesn't come] often times we'll just let him stand where ever it is he is but then again ... we want him to come sit and play with us ... what do we do???

its interesting that he seems fine until we call him to come ... hmmm ... any suggestions???

I have a 6 month female (spayed) Springer Spaniel and all in all she is a perfect dog. Except she pees anytime you look at her wrong, raise your voice, point at her or even pet her. Everytime someone comes to the house she pees everywhere! She is house trained to ring the bell when she has to go outside, but she has no control when she gets excited or scared. It is really frustrating because I've read NOT to yell at her when does this. Currently we are trying to ignore her when we get home and let her calm down before we say hello to her. Is there anything I can do to help this problem? I am afraid to bring her anywhere in fear of her soaking someones shoes or carpet.

Hi, Its Susan with the little barking springer. It has gotten a little better. I brought her a yummy ball. But I did not get the dap diffuser yet. I tried not putting the plastic on the bed and also my husband built her a fort out of some old clothes and blankets, crazy but it seems to be working. I think she likes the feeling of having something over her head. Please suggestions though. Please read back on my original story.

First, please nobody come down on me for buying my dog from a pet store. I knew nothing about puppy mills, until after I bought her.
Anyway she is a 6 month olf malti-poo whome we love already ! Unfortunatly 10 hrs after we got her she jumped from my daughters arms and broke her leg !
Anyways..here is the problem. She is wonderful wit me and my daughter but seems to hate my husband. Barking at him constantley. She is scared to death of people. shakes half to death, and cowers around me and my daughter. We take her everywhere with us so she is being well socialized. But it isn't helping. My moher inlaw came over today and she shook half to death and took off and hid. She is only accepting of me and my daughter. My husband loves her but the barking is getting on his nerves. Then today she tred to bite him !!
I don't know what to do ! do you think maybe the pet store abused her ? Why is she so afraid of people ?

hello!!!!!!! i have a big problem right now, i have a jack russel mix with chihuahua, her name is koketa and she is only 8 months old, she is friendly whit people that goes to my house but everytime my husband or any guy pets her she pees on them or on the floor and then if i take her to the dog park she does not move from the same spot and does not play wiht any dog or person... i do not know what to do or how to stop this behavior,,,,,plese someone help me thank you

HI, i have problem with my 3 year old dog rowdey, I've had him since he was a baby about 8 weeks old his a
yorky/mini schnauzer mix. At 5 months old took him for his 1st groomong, what a nightmare!. He bits at the
clippers and at everty thing, growling and bitting.
he acts aggresive,But know now thats he really afraid.
my vet gave me a mild seditive,but it really didin help. plus once at home, and the pill wore off he still was a bad mood. i had to stay with groomer to help her. we had to musel him.. I felt so bad for him., Now I dont even take him to groomer any more. after 2 1/2 years of wathing her, I decided to groom him myself. He IS Still is afraid of clippers. really he's afriad of alot of things. one is the vacuume cleaner. Plus i was told by that lady i received him form, she gave him a fee bath at 4 weeks old, which is to young, he is heathy go to vets. so i have been watching your show. and we have tried a few methods. pleased to say they workd. so i seek wisdom. know am to passive. rowdey has a lot of problems. i just right now would like any info that can help me to groom him in a way that is more pleasant for both of us. I know some how its my fault, but I dont know how to fix it now.
any info would be very welome. thanks so much.

Help! I have a 1 yr old Papillon and a 1 yr old Yorkie. The papillon will pee outside everytime I take her, but the Yorkie only pees once in the morning when we take them out of their cage and once in the afternoon after they are taken out of their case. The rest of the time, the Yorkie will pee in the house, no warning. Ocassionally, the Papillon will pee in the house even after being out all the time. The other thing I can't get them to do is poop outside. They only poop in the morning and thats it, the other times they will poop inside in the hidden spots in the house (They love to go behind the couch or under the couch). In lieu of getting rid of the couch, i've tried to treat the areas of the house with NO GO and other products as well as frequent carpet shampoos, but these stubborn dogs won't budge. I'm really frustrated. I take them out frequently and don't know what else to do. The Papillon eats the pee pads as well as everything else. They also pee where they sleep and eat! I thought dogs didn't do that! Any suggestions? I've read all the housebreaking guides I can get my hands on and these two stubborn dogs defy all. The Yorkie does have a grade 5 heart mumur with severe pulmonary stenosis but I wouldn't think that would interfere with house training! I don't scold my dogs when they make a mistake in the house (taboo for housebreaking). I'm so frustrated though. Also, the Papillon still eats turd jerkey or turd tar-tar. Will this gross practice ever end? I can't board the dogs to be trained either, that an option for the Yorkie and she won't eat or be active unless the Papillon is around. Please help!

i have a pet monkey.

my rescue chow-lab as been through alot his former owner had abused him because a neighbor had seen this stuff fisrt hand. this guy had no time for him and would hit him if he was annoyed or did something wrong no puppy training or positive reinforcement. his fear agression turned has turned into agression as an adult.I can walk him on the leash but if anyone comes 2 feet by me he snaps like a snapping turtle you dont see it coming. SINCE last week he been off the leash and hanging out with passive assertive dogs in rehab 2hrs a day.progress is being made.

I became disabled last year. I can walk but not very good. I bought a year old pomeranian from an ex-coworker last fall. Cute as a button!! Good little watch dog. However, if I walk up to him to pet him, he urinates all over. On the furniture, my bedding, my jeans, everywhere. I have trained him to go out in a large cage which he enjoys. I bought toys and balls to play with him and he coweres down and wets on himself and the carpet. Needless to say this is a lot of cleaning and my washer is in the basement which I have to use daily on throw-rugs, or cleaning my carpets. I can't do it anymore. The vet says he's physically very healthy, but he's wearing me down. His name is Homey and he's my friend but I can no longer keep all this cleaning. I come in the door and he's so excited, which is nice, but he pees on my jeans. Please help. I don't want to get rid of him, but my landlord put a new floor in our kitchen so now Homey's on limited time.

6 months ago we rescued a 3 year old dalmation from the spca. in the past she must have been very badly treated. she is so nervous with anything new. she clings to me but is still nervous around my husband and will not come to him although with me she behaves like a normal dog - getting excited when we are going for a walk etc. when my daughters 8 month old cat came for 2 days she hid under my chair! any suggestions?

I have a miniature snhazur that is three years old and shows fearful aggression towards people only when they enter our house. He has snaped at people when they walk in, at his owners when we try to correct him, and on rare occasions when he is being calm towards a person at our house, he'll snap at them out of nowhere. We've read your book, but still can't correct his behavior. What can we do?

We have a problem with our 1 year, 5 month old male Dachshund urinating in the house. He is not neutered and we have 3 other dogs in the house. The other dogs are all"fixed".
Our "doxie" will urinate any time. Right after he comes in from being outside, while we are away from home, after taking a walk with us, it does not seem to matter.
He is a sweet dog and is very loveable and we think that there must be something we can do to help him. We have recently brought out his crate for him to stay in if we leave the house for an hour or two. He doesn't urinate in the crate but vomits up his supper.
We rarely catch him during the act, but it is very clear he is the culprit; tucks his tale between his legs and hides when confronted about the "mess".
We try to give all our dogs equal attention.
What is the proper way to scold a dog for urinating, if any?

Are we approaching this wrong?

Is this happening because he is a small dog?

Will this problem become better if he is neutered?

We need help, we have cleaned the areas a lot! Thought he may be getting better, but found he was just sneaky.
Thanks,
Kevin

My boyfriend and I just adopted a dog from doggy foster care. When we first got him he was great. Loving and affectionate from the start, towards everyone. A few weeks have passed now, and he is terrified of everyone that comes in our apartment. He barks and growls, sometimes even lunges at people. The entire time people are over, he is off-standish and cowers, tail between his legs. Now it has even progressed to the point that even when we take him to another home, he is exhibiting the same behavior. We have even tried having people give him treats, not approaching him and letting him come to them, and praising when he is not barking. Nothing is working! We don't really have much info on him, but it is pretty apparent that he was abused by his previous owner. We take him on two hour long walks a day and he gets plenty of exercise. He's wonderful towards us and is a great dog. I just don't know what is wrong!(also, we were told he is a chihuahua/fox terrier mix,if that helps!)