Fritz and Ed, a rather wet combination

[MarissaM]

Well, I have really enjoyed and appreciated everyone's advice about Chloe. I think she's coming around to Fritz pretty nicely.
Michelle (Dachsie Mom of 3) advised me to post about the latest issue...
Whenever Ed (my boyfriend) comes home Fritz piddles, a pretty decent amount of piddle actually. Ed can come home with me or without me. As soon as Ed acknowledges Fritz, he piddles. This has been happening since day one and we kind of took it as Fritz being emotional or freaked out to be in a new place kind of thing. Additionally, we have wood floors so we weren't overly concerned about permanent damage to carpeting. Yesterday he peed on Ed's leg when we got home after being gone for 20 minutes. Today he peed down the front of Ed's shirt when Ed picked Fritz up to take him out(Ed had been home for a few hours, and Frtiz been out recently) and then this afternoon on our bed when Ed picked him up to put him on the floor. I am positive this is not a housebreaking issue. I have NO concerns on that front.
The funny thing is that Fritz positively WORSHIPS Ed. He wants to be with him ALL the time. Ed loves him back just as much.
Another funny thing is I can come home and he won't piddle. And I can come home with Ed and pet Fritz before Ed and Fritz won't piddle, but the second Ed touches him he does piddles.

When Michelle (and her husband) was fostering him there were no housebreaking issues nor were there any piddling issues period. HELP!!!

[Susan63]

Hi Marissa,

I'm curious, is this the 12-14 yr. old Fritz from PA.? If it is, I'm so glad he finally found a forever home. But I just checked the www.drwp.net (http://www.drwp.net) and he's still listed.

About the piddles, it sounds to me that it is SUBMISSIVE peeing. Since Fritz loves Ed, he just gets all excited when he sees him.

What everyone's recommendation here is, to IMMEDIATELY take Fritz outside to "go" when you walk in the door. As soon as Ed steps inside, he should immediately take Fritz outside EVEN BEFORE he touches Fritz. It would be good for ANYONE to do this before saying 'hello' and so forth. Get a routine started. Have his leash hanging close to the door. As soon as anyone walks in the door, they can say 'outside' to Fritz. This will begin a learning process for him, and he will soon learn "outside first, then the LOVIES".http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif Good luck, I hope you can break this habit.

~Susan~

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Susan63 on April 05, 2001 at 06:04 PM</font>

[MarissaM]

Actually he was named Snuggles. He was listed on http://www.drwp.net. He was being offered by his owner. We told Michelle from DRNA that we liked the sound of him and would she please look into it. She got him from the woman for us and fostered him for about a month. Then we got him. We really didn't like the name Snuggles. Michelle assessed that he didn't really know his name. So when we told her we definitely wanted him we told her that his new name would be Fritz. She began calling him that immediately and it is now DEFINITELY his name. You say Fritz and he looks up and usually comes right to you!
Anyway, he is a 1 1/2 year-old chocolate and tan mini. He has light brown eyes and a light tan nose. He's so sweet. I have been taking pictures and as soon as I get them developed I will post.
I appreciate the advice. The problem is that we are on the third floor of a walk-up and have to carry the pups down so the no touching before going out won't work, unfortunately.
Last night, we tried just ignoring them when Ed came home. We set a timer for 15 minutes and just went about our business so they could calm down. Then we picked them up to take them out. ALL DRY! We were pleased. We'll just have to take it one day at a time...

[TamaraE]

Hi Marissa,
I agree with all said about submissive peeing. I've read in one of my groups that trying not to acknowledge the dog for a few minutes until he calms down can help as well. Just a thought. Let us know how it is going!
Tammy and the WonderWeinies

[MarissaM]

Things are looking up. We are looking into buying a product called a belly band. We have also been ignoring them when we come home for 15 minutes. If we cannot ignore them, Ed will grab a towel and put it quickly in the appropriate position so if he does dribble it will be contained.
He is definitely getting more comfortable in our house, so I think that will help. Also the vet said that he hadn't yet developed scar tissue from his neutering last month so that may be the cause of the problem.

[Mark]

Hi Marissa,

"belly band"? . . . is it simply an elastic band over the belly? I don't believe I've heard of it before.

I need to get out more! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

Mark

[MarissaM]

It's a special "diaper" for male dogs. You can see them on www.dogbows.net (http://www.dogbows.net) or www.kennelkomforts.com. (http://www.kennelkomforts.com.)
My friend's min pin group recommended them. I ordered today! We'll see.
Marissa, Chloe and Fritz

[Penny's Aunt]

A belly band sounds kinder than "...or else it's going to be rubber bands at the door!"

This problem may be a leftover from his previous situation. He may like your friend, but he may be afraid of him, too, just because he's male.

[MarissaM]

No, it's not a male thing because the woman who was fostering him is married. This never happened in their house. Also, Fritz will piddle for me as well.
We actually think he may have some sort of infection because he cries in a weird way before he wets.