Help!

[weenie]

Yesterday, I was gone for most of the day and my dad had to come to my house to let him out to go potty. My dad said that Willi wouldn't come near him and he had to corner Willi to get him to go outside. When he picked Willi up to take him outside, Willi "squealed like a pig" and peed all over my dad. Although he doesn't see my dad a lot, it still obviously upset little Willi.

My dad laughed about it and so did I but it bothers me a little that he isn't friendlier to people that he is familiar with.....Is this a real problem? Would socializing him more ie....obedience school, help?

Thanks,
Kris

[Wienergal]

Oh golly! Poor drippy dad!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif Kris, I don't recall the details: How old is Willi? Where did you get him? If he's a young pup, he might just have been terrified that a stranger was invading his territory. (You know how territorial the wieners are!)

I'm a big believer in obedience classes, for socialization and for training us, the owners! But can you refresh my memory about Willi?

--Pamela

[sillysadie]

You might want to carry treats with you and have others give him treats. He might adjust better to strangers if he thinks they may have a snack for him. What weenie can resist food. Obedience training is always a good idea for socializing your pupper.

Shel

[This message has been edited by sillysadie (edited April 02, 2000).]

[weenie]

Willi will be one year on April 7 (next week). I bought him from a (gulp) pet store (unfortunately didn't know about DRNA or the whole "puppy mill" thing) when he was 12 weeks old. He was great around people until he was around 6 months old, then got very territorial. I had him neutered and it got a little better. I have been trying to socialize him more and more....but he still acts territorial at home. He is fine when we go elsewhere (mom's, grandma's....etc).

Unfortunately my mom has a new huge Boxer puppy who is a bit rambunctious for us to take Willi over there so he doesn't get to see my dad that much. Maybe that was part of the problem. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Kris

[Dolly's Mom]

Hi Weenie!

Perhaps when Willi saw your dad, he also SMELLED the boxer in HIS territory! Sounds like you are doing very well on the socializing already. I like the idea of your dad having peace offerings with him. A nice smelly one like liver anything would be nice, though http://dachsie.org/ubb/redface.gif I'm embarrassed to say, Dolly is putty in your hands if you are carrying spicy cheezits.

Sandi

[Penny's Aunt]

Maybe it would be better if your Dad (or anyone else) didn't corner him & pick him up. Just show the treat & lead him out the door, if possible.

Dogs do go through shy & protective stages, so maybe this attitude is temporary. The main window of socialization closes at about 5 months; after that, it is more difficult, but not impossible. You just have to get him out there to meet people. I read somewhere that by the time a pup is 5 mos old, he should have met at least 100 people of all kinds, sizes, colors.

Just keep working with him. I had a very shy dog, & it took a long time to get her near normal.

[weenie]

Thanks everyone for your replies....I think the treat thing may do the trick! Also I think I agree with you Penny's Aunt. Just my dad cornering him and picking him up probably freaked him out!

We are continuing to work on our socialization as well as obedience. I know it may take more time because Willi is about one year old. http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Thanks again!

Kris

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Poor Willi and poor Dad!

Dad was just doing a favor, but Willi freaked! Look at it from his little dachsie view: Mom not home! Grab! Hauling! Eeeek http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif
I think for his age and the situation peeing is ok- Wotan might have done worse than that if grabbed in a corner by someone he doesn't live with. Tell your dad pieces of pork will work wonders for even the most unsettled weeniedog http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif