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Question/Subject:

Help. My maltese is giving me ulcers.
He was only 2 pounds when I brought him home from the breeder. He was scared of everything and wouldn't go outside unless I held onto him every second.

Now he's two years old and 8 pounds. Not so scared. Still he never trained well to potty outside as most dogs do. I continue to get the weewee pads for him for inside use but he won't even use those most of the time. He will go out and do his business in good weather but I'm finding he has begun to urinate wherever he chooses inside now. I've spanked him several times but he continues to lift his leg wherever until my house just smells rank.

I don't know what to do now. Can anyone give me some ideas before I have to bomb my house, please?
PW

First, please stop spanking him.
It is probably making the situation worse.
Spanking is capital punishment. spank an animal, in the same circumstances you would spank a child,,,,,,,,,,,,When all else has failed, and punishment MUST get across a rule, to keep them safe.
Sounds like he may be getting even for the spankings, by peeing in the house.
Some dogs, are just like some kids, bull headed, and stubborn, and hard to raise.
I read your profile, to see if it said anything about how much experience you have had with dogs. I see you have had them almost all your life, like me, so I will refer you to your remarks in your profile, in the Relationships section. Now, add dogs to the list. As the mommy/daddy, your relationship is the same as it would be with your children. You are the parent, and they are the children.
Some little animals are like precocious children.they are determined they are not going to be bossed. I have a Lhasa like that,Peke's are another breed that tend to be a little that way, Yorkies, a Beagle I had once.
Asuming the dog is a little on the timid side, he may be afraid of the dark. I had a little dog that was afraid of the dark. after dark, I had to turn on the back porch light, and stand in the doorway while she did her business. she would finish as soon as possible, and scoot back in. I was afraid of the dark, when I was a child, so I can relate to that.
I will tell you what I think will be of great help to you.
The Tellington Touch method of animal massage.
I have trained out of shyness. aggression, excessive barking, fear of thunderstorms, and am able to help a lot with pain from Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, and after surgery, with the massage. I got the video, and you can see the actual hands on massage. It is easy to learn, and it is well worth the money. I think it costs about $35.00 now.
Go check out the site, and read about the massage method. you can order the tape from there too.

www.lindatellington-jones.com

I would say your little dog is behaving the way he is because of one or more of these reasons. He is timid, and maybe afraid of the dark, is being spiteful because of the spankings, or is just plain hard headed, and is trying to outlast you, and become the head of the house.
I find time-out works better than spanking. just like it does with kids, the spanking lasts a only a second, and then they are off the hook, but being confined is a bore, and if they know that is what bad behavior will get them, they tend to mend their ways. It is in their best interest to do it your way.
If you feel I didn't shed enough light on this for you, write me, and I will take another shot at it.
charlotte

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