Help! I think my dog has anxiety issues....peeing everywhere

[Guest Anonymous]

I have a 4yr old Maltese who we adopted 3 years ago from a rescue organization in San Jose. He was mistreated in his previous home, kept in his crate almost 24hrs a day. He is supposed to be bright white in color and when we adopted him, his legs and belly were stained yellow from peeing on himself while in the crate and then being forced to stay in it for hours on end. Anyway, he has always been very needy. I am his favorite and he is very much a lap dog, he always wants to be held. He seemed to be content up until a year ago when his world got rocked again....we had a baby. He is not mean to the baby but I know that he is jealous and he does not get as much attention from me as he used to. The way that he acts out on this is to pee on everything, everywhere, especially the baby's toys now!! I will let him out, he will pee, then come in and if I turn my back for a second, he will pee again on one of my son's toys. It's not always on my son's toys, but they are laying all over the place, so they are the easiest target. Joking aside, I really believe that he has anxiety issues. Once my son goes to bed, he gets my full attention and he sleeps with us, but it's just that he always wants me to hold him when I am busy during the day with my son.
I don't know what to do. I am so tired of cleaning up dog pee on a daily basis. It has gotten so bad that he is ruining some of my son's toys and books. I have read some other posts where people mentioned something called Rescue Remedy, maybe for anxiety? Would that help him?

How can I increase his confidence even though I don't have the time to give him all the attention he wants? I love him so much and I'm sad that he is sad but with the baby, he has to come second.

He has his yearly physical exam next week so I am going to talk to the vet to see if he has any reccommendations, but I thought I'd check in this forum, too.

thank you for any help on this!
I appreciate it.

:D
Carrie

Mom of
human Adam - 1 yr old
shih-tzu Brandy 3 1/2yrs old
maltese Brady 4 yrs old
orange kitty Tigger 1 1/2 yr old
black kitty Bugsy 4 yrs old

[courtnek]

Rescue Remedy is good for anxiety...but along with that, I would try some other things. Your dog is jealous...he has lost the "top spot" in your attention. He is fighting for his place as next under you, and out of the blue the baby has taken over that position.

When you are changing, feeding, playing, with the baby, include him. Put him on a short lead, attached to something where he can see you, and talk to him when he behaves. Make a big deal out of "GOOD DOG"! when he lies down and lets you change, feed and bathe the baby. Let him smell the babies diapers before you throw them out (gross, I know, but dogs attune to things like that) Sit on the floor with the baby in his bassinet or playpen, and play with both of them. talk to the baby, talk to the dog.
Make the dog realize that the baby is also part of the family..right now he sees him as an interloper. He is peeing on your sons toys because he is marking them as his..his way of saying "MY house, MY toys...MY place in the pack, and I'm NOT giving it up..." including him in routine things with the baby (never leave them alone together) will soothe him. He will adjust, it just takes time...

[KP]

Here is an article I wrote.

Submissive Urination

Obedience or agility training would be a great confidence booster. It however does sound like rank and territory are your major issues. I'd think more so than anxiety. You may want to try rescue remedy. It may help a little. It's not a cure...of course but I've heard great things about it. Your dog seems to have a pretty extreme case. Have you had him checked for any bladder problems or anything in the past? Kidney issues?

[anne3149]

Collect a sample of his urine and take it to the vet for urinalysis. There is a chance he may have a UTI.

[Guest Anonymous]

thank you everyone for your thoughts. I am going to share them w/ my husband and I'm hoping that things will turn around. I hadn't had him tested for a UTI. Good idea, but how the heck would I get a sample of his pee?
:)
Carrie

[courtnek]

follow him outside with a plastic cup, wait for him to squat or lift, then stick it under him and catch it. It sounds hard, but I'ce done it. Once they start they dont ususally like to stop