Trouble with My Dog

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Well, I'm not avet, nor a dog specialist, but I have had 2 female Goldens. The old girl I had to put down last week. :( The other is 3.

I know they are 'worker' dogs and need a lot of human interaction, a lot of exercise, attention, stimulation, and are easily bored.

As far as the peeing goes, when you say you PET your dog and he pees, both my Golden's have done the same thing, they are SO moved by your attention they just have to let it go. However, this can also be a sign of a UTI, so I would def bring him in for a urine culture, esp if he's peeing randomly around the house. But then, I don't have any experience with male Golden's either. Is he fixed? That could make a difference in his behavior as well.

I know they don't do well when frequently left alone for long periods of time. When I have to leave them, which is not very often, since I don't work, I leave them with a marrow bone, and OLD marrow bone with some peanut butter in it, or a chew. I leave the TV on for them. If your dog is not crated, I would suggest that as well. I have never had to crate mine, but then they're rarely alone. Crated provides them with security they say, when the people are away.

If he has a lot of exercise, and 'works' for you, chasing balls, sticks, or even just a long walk everyday, some kind of engagement with his people, he should be a happy fella. But then like kids, they're all different and there are so many factors in any given dogs behavior.

I just know the breed needs to work, needs to 'get' things, needs to be occupied.

Where's DVMMOM when we need her?!

Good luck with him, we miss our old girl something awful. Hands down my favorite breed!

:)

Def have him seen by your vet. There are many options for dogs with anxiety issues. If there is a behaviorist in your area, they are SO worth it as they have more experience with these things than your general vet does.

I would get him to the vet, he could have a urinary tract infection (fairly common), a bladder infection, or even be in early kidney failure at his age. It does sound like he has some anxiety as well. There is a thing called a Thundershirt which I have had good reports about, but have also heard that putting a well-fitting t-shirt on a dog can have the same positive effect as the (somewhat pricey) Thundershirt. First thing I would do is get him to the vet though, and you can also discuss his anxiety with the vet.

Anxiety issues are increasingly common in dogs these days. Who knew? Talk to your vet. There are natural remedies (DAP and other scents, behavorial modifications, etc.) and medications to help. I actually had a dog on Prozac once.

If he's peeing more than usual, I'd have him checked at the vet, that could indicate a bladder infection or something worse (my parents old dog had a tumor on his bladder, he couldn't help peeing everywhere, he didn't even know he was doing it, poor thing)... BUT, if he's only doing it when it storms, maybe try a distracting noise, like play some music or the t.v. kind of loud, that might help. Either way, if it was a kid I'd say call the pediatrician, since it's your pup, I'd call the vet :) Hope he starts doing better soon!!

This sounds definitely stress-related... but take him to your vet for a checkup just to be sure there's no physical problem.

If your vet recommends medication, think about trying it. You could also talk to a pet behavior expert. Anxiety is common in Goldens - some of them are very, very sensitive. They can grow out of anxieties, and sometimes they can grow into anxieties.

Some other possible anxiety cues besides the urination are excessive yawning and excessive bottom-licking. There are others - I'm sure there's a whole list online somewhere.

You have busy days already, but one thing you can do is to start spending extra time with your four-footed boy. Sit down on the floor when you relax, and spend a few minutes petting him and brushing him. Let him be by your side. Let him follow you around the house (I'll bet he does that already, right?). Play with him; take him for extra walks; treat him like an fearful three-year-old child and help him feel more secure. After a while of doing this, try leaving him in baby-gated room in the house (kitchen?) for only three to five minutes (walk around the outside of your house two or three times); then come in and praise him for being so brave. Commit yourself to helping him with his fears for the duration.

If he needs to stay outside when nobody is home, make sure there is good shelter and enough water. *Wherever* you leave him, make sure he has a sturdy bone or something else safe to chew on. Chewing is actually a anxiety buster... as long as it isn't performed on the sofa cushion or the kids' favorite toys.

I haven't but I have had friends with this problem. Talk to your vet, they have doggie happy pills they can give you to give if there is going to be a storm.

have you read marley and me (great book btw). it's a memoir of the author's life with his dog and the lab in it is scared of storms and does the same thing that you described (wrecking house, etc.) it got to a point where he had to be given tranquilizer pills when they knew a storm was coming. it sounds like your dog has anxiety issues. i'd take him to a vet to get a professional opinion and advice on how to handle the issue. it might be a matter of behavioral training to desensitize your dog to the storm and if that doesn't work, meds might be the answer. plus, the peeing when you pet him could just be him being excited that you're petting him no?? my dog leaks pee when she hasn't seen me for a bit and i pet her b/c she's so excited and i know dogs do that alot. Good luck!

You need to talk to your veterinarian. They may be able to recommend medication for anxiety as well as referral to a behavior specialist. The best results come from a combination of medication (so you can start to get a handle on things) as well as following a behavior modification program outlined by a behaviorist so that medication is not needed forever. And by "behaviorist" I mean a veterinarian who is board-certified in behavior medicine, not simply a dog trainer. Good luck!

@Theresa N. : I was at the water park with my DD! :) I am sorry for your loss!

I would say I agree with both S. S & Rachel. I think there are probably two separate issues. The storm anxiety and a possible incontinence. The storm anxiety is VERY normal for Goldens. I can't say that I've come across more than a handful that AREN'T afraid of thunderstorms. Your vet would be likely to give you acepromazine. It's the most widely used anti-anxiety med for dogs. I would definitely mention the INCREASE in the urination. It sounds like he's starting to have more trouble holding the pee in, since he's only recently started having "leaks" when you're petting him.

I would definitely talk to your vet. We put our dog on Reconcile for a while and that, with behavioral modification, might help. Next steps we were told was to work with a behavioral specialist who observes your dog and gives recommendations on how to handle the situations. I would highly recommend crating during teh day though. Our dog was acting out for attention and peeing so we started crating him again and they won't go in their crate. As many suggested, it could be something else as well, like a UTI. We do leave music on when we know a storm is coming.