He's home! :))
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
June 10, 2011 3:07pm CST
I recently posted that I had filled out the paperwork to adopt a dog from a rescue organization. I'm soooo happy to say that he's mine! 
He's been home for about a week and half now and we've been very busy getting used to one another and creating a new routine in the house.
He is a beautiful miniature dachshund, approximately one year old, and I've renamed him Charlie. At the rescue, since he was found as a stray, they had given him the name "Waggit" because he never stops wagging his tail! He doesn't look like a Waggit... he looks like a Charlie 
He's been really good and he is learning quickly. He loves the bed I got him and I added a fleece blanket since dachsies LOVE to burrow. He eats well, does most of his "business" outdoors and is very cuddly and loving. He did not have a CLUE how to go for a walk on a leash so I've been training him a bit every day. Usually, we go to the end of the street and back and, one day, we made it around a whole block. He is nice on the leash, doesn't pull or anything, but he is super easily distracted by every sight, sound and smell and puts on the brakes. When he gets tired of the training, he flops down on his side on the street and closes his eyes like he's going to sleep 
The only "issue" he has is that he is a nervous piddler. If you bend down too quickly to pick him up, he pees. If you speak to him too loudly, he pees. If he gets excited to go outside, he pees. Sooooo... lots of paper towels and odor removal spray later, we're working on that. I think it will just take time and patience and developing trust. As long as no one gets mad at him for his little "puddles," I'm sure we'll be successful. If anyone has any tips for this particular issue, I'd love to hear them! I'm open to all suggestions and want to do my very best to help him. I love him to pieces already!! I will post pics soon... I'm on my laptop today and don't have them stored on this computer.
He's been home for about a week and half now and we've been very busy getting used to one another and creating a new routine in the house.
He is a beautiful miniature dachshund, approximately one year old, and I've renamed him Charlie. At the rescue, since he was found as a stray, they had given him the name "Waggit" because he never stops wagging his tail! He doesn't look like a Waggit... he looks like a Charlie
He's been really good and he is learning quickly. He loves the bed I got him and I added a fleece blanket since dachsies LOVE to burrow. He eats well, does most of his "business" outdoors and is very cuddly and loving. He did not have a CLUE how to go for a walk on a leash so I've been training him a bit every day. Usually, we go to the end of the street and back and, one day, we made it around a whole block. He is nice on the leash, doesn't pull or anything, but he is super easily distracted by every sight, sound and smell and puts on the brakes. When he gets tired of the training, he flops down on his side on the street and closes his eyes like he's going to sleep
The only "issue" he has is that he is a nervous piddler. If you bend down too quickly to pick him up, he pees. If you speak to him too loudly, he pees. If he gets excited to go outside, he pees. Sooooo... lots of paper towels and odor removal spray later, we're working on that. I think it will just take time and patience and developing trust. As long as no one gets mad at him for his little "puddles," I'm sure we'll be successful. If anyone has any tips for this particular issue, I'd love to hear them! I'm open to all suggestions and want to do my very best to help him. I love him to pieces already!! I will post pics soon... I'm on my laptop today and don't have them stored on this computer.4 people like this
12 responses
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
10 Jun 11
Well frankly nervousness is quite a big problem. I have never had such problems with my dogs.
My dog ??goes to school there and it was very well educated. Everything is great now and before that my dog ??was very rude and horrible biting barking and a lot of things.
I think it is nice to explore whether you can give it to school would be glad I helped with my answer.
nice day!
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Congratulations nezavisima!! Having a well-trained dog is a blessing and you are right! There are many excellent obedience schools and training facilities. I was willing to take Charlie to a trainer, if need be, but so far he is doing remarkably well. If he develops any persistent issues, though, that need a professional's help, I'll be the first one to get him whatever he needs 
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Yes, of course! I would be pleased to be friends... feel free to send me a request! :)
1 person likes this
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
10 Jun 11
I can only wish you a friend to find a good school for your dog.Hope you do not create problems.Can I ask for friendship.And to be friends here!
1 person likes this
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
10 Jun 11
Wow! That's great news! :-) I am so happy for you!
You sound like the perfect person to adopt a dog, because you seem to be taking such good care of little Charlie! :-) I am anxious to see pics of Charlie, I bet he's a cutie pie! :D
I love animals, and I think it's great when someone rescues an animal and treats them so well with such great care. :-)
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Thank you Angelee! I'm very excited to have him... I guess you can tell I haven't had a dog for six years now (since my scottish terrier/bichon mix named Cody had to be put down... he was a little over 11 years old). I love dogs but I just was not ready to have one (much to my two daughters' dismay!). They wanted to stop me from looking at the rescue's website because they kept saying "Mom, you're just teasing us all the time! We're never really going to get one!!" They are older girls so it's a good time to bring Charlie into our home. The rescue told me that, because his history isn't known and because he was soooo scared when they first got him, it would be better that he was placed in an adult home without very young children.
I haven't had a dog for six years now (since my scottish terrier/bichon mix named Cody had to be put down... he was a little over 11 years old). I love dogs but I just was not ready to have one (much to my two daughters' dismay!). They wanted to stop me from looking at the rescue's website because they kept saying "Mom, you're just teasing us all the time! We're never really going to get one!!" They are older girls so it's a good time to bring Charlie into our home. The rescue told me that, because his history isn't known and because he was soooo scared when they first got him, it would be better that he was placed in an adult home without very young children.@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
11 Jun 11
LOL they are thrilled :)) I posted one pic a little lower in the thread, in a comment to inu, and here is one more! He perches at the top of the stairs like this when I go outside to hang laundry or run downstairs for something. He sits and waits for me to come back hehe
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
10 Jun 11
Haha! I bet your daughters are very happy that you have finally brought home a dog! ^_^ I bet Charlie is the happiest dog in the world now! :D
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85440)
• United States
10 Jun 11
I'm so excited for you AND Charlie! He must be so happy. I hope you can post some pictures of him soon. Several of my dogs used to do the 'piddle' thing, but over time they stopped. One of my dogs did it a couple times when he was older, but that was just because he really liked my dad, and he'd get way too excited when my dad came to visit.
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Thank you AmbiePam!! I was sort of thinking that it might be something he would simply outgrow or that, as he becomes more comfortable in his new home, he would stop. Then, too, I did a ton of research before deciding I wanted a mini dachshund and they are known to be difficult to housebreak. So, the fact that he DOES "go" outside reliably is super encouraging 
1 person likes this
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
10 Jun 11
Congratulations! Charlie is lucky to have you!
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Thank you, TrvlArrngr!! I feel like he is just the bright spot I need in my life right now 
He was definitely worth waiting for
He was definitely worth waiting for 
@candyfairy21 (2039)
• Philippines
10 Jun 11
Congratulations! I am glad for you and Charlie that you have found each other. Well I am so surprised he has minimal issues. Most shelter dogs can have some issues but I guess shelters now rehabilitate them before placing them with their new owners. anyway just curious...how do shelters determine the age of the dog?
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Thank you, candyfairy!! :)) I've watched the website of this rescue for about five years now. I had a dog that I loved dearly that had to be put down six years ago and, until now, my heart wasn't ready for another. When I saw Charlie's pics on the website, I swear it was like he was looking right inside me LOL Somehow, I just "knew" it was time.
This rescue is amazing. They only work with a limited number of dogs - so when I adopted Charlie, that meant they had one place for another dog. They make a real effort to take in dogs that have the best chance of being both rehabilitated and adopted. They also work with one specific veterinary hospital that does all the exams. It was that vet that determined Charlie's approximate age. You do have to pay for the dog, of course. The fee is $350 but they are completely vaccinated, micro-chipped, tested for heartworm, they have flea and de-worming treatments and they are sterilized (Charlie had been neutered by laser procedure (less bleeding for the dog) and just had his four little staples out last night ).
I was surprised he didn't have more issues, too, to be honest. My sister also adopted from them (on Easter weekend) and her little yorkie mix was a puppy mill mom 
Poor Marley is about 7 years old and she spent most of her life in a cage, making babies. Now, she's got a great home with my sister and is very happy. She is learning to walk on a leash too... because her legs didn't work very well after spending so much time caged.
).
I was surprised he didn't have more issues, too, to be honest. My sister also adopted from them (on Easter weekend) and her little yorkie mix was a puppy mill mom Poor Marley is about 7 years old and she spent most of her life in a cage, making babies. Now, she's got a great home with my sister and is very happy. She is learning to walk on a leash too... because her legs didn't work very well after spending so much time caged.1 person likes this
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
10 Jun 11
Hello Thinkingoutloud,
I'm so glad that you qualified for Charlie's adoption! I remember how excited you were when you filled out the paperwork for adoption!
I imagine you two were quite busy these days that it took you a week to give us the great news. I'm sure you are going to make a good team together - Charlie is a lucky doxie that he has found you.
About the peeing problem, I'm afraid it won't disappear.
My Binne had this problem when she was a little puppy. I remember I was terrified that the problem will persist, so I tried to find as much information on this subject as I could.
I remember they said the problem will probably disappear when the puppy is growing and if the problem persists after the age of three months, it will last for all the dog's life.
Binne had had this problem until she was three and a half months old, but since then she hasn't had any incident like this. For two weeks I was like crazy, thinking that she's going to be a piddler all her life. But it seems she has matured a little later.
All you have to do is to try to minimize the effects, because you can't eliminate the cause of the nervous peeing. I'm sure you'll love him even if he has this issue.
I remember how excited you were when you filled out the paperwork for adoption!
I imagine you two were quite busy these days that it took you a week to give us the great news. I'm sure you are going to make a good team together - Charlie is a lucky doxie that he has found you.
About the peeing problem, I'm afraid it won't disappear. My Binne had this problem when she was a little puppy. I remember I was terrified that the problem will persist, so I tried to find as much information on this subject as I could.
I remember they said the problem will probably disappear when the puppy is growing and if the problem persists after the age of three months, it will last for all the dog's life.
Binne had had this problem until she was three and a half months old, but since then she hasn't had any incident like this. For two weeks I was like crazy, thinking that she's going to be a piddler all her life. But it seems she has matured a little later.
All you have to do is to try to minimize the effects, because you can't eliminate the cause of the nervous peeing. I'm sure you'll love him even if he has this issue.1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Hi inu1711!! Oh my gosh, YES! I've been soooo busy with him that I only got to post the good news today! It's like having a new baby in the house all over again A new routine to get used to and new tasks to do ... and I'm loving EVERY minute of it!
You are very right... I'm quite prepared to accept it if Charlie remains a nervous piddler forever. I mean, he's not doing it on purpose and I never get upset with him. I am hoping that it might slow down or become just an occasional accident (rather than a couple of times per day) but getting upset will just make it worse for him. I have no way to know how hard his life may have been, before he came into mine, and I want him to be happy and secure in his surroundings. As my sister says, "It's JUST pee... it cleans up!" and she's right :)) Nothing a little soap and water doesn't fix.
A new routine to get used to and new tasks to do ... and I'm loving EVERY minute of it!
You are very right... I'm quite prepared to accept it if Charlie remains a nervous piddler forever. I mean, he's not doing it on purpose and I never get upset with him. I am hoping that it might slow down or become just an occasional accident (rather than a couple of times per day) but getting upset will just make it worse for him. I have no way to know how hard his life may have been, before he came into mine, and I want him to be happy and secure in his surroundings. As my sister says, "It's JUST pee... it cleans up!" and she's right :)) Nothing a little soap and water doesn't fix.1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
11 Jun 11
OMG inu... right now I'm working from home so I have time to adjust my schedule to what Charlie needs... but I can't imagine how it will be if and when I return to working outside the home. I suppose we'll both have a bout of separation anxiety!
Your Binne is SUCH a lovely dog! I looked at the photos in your profile. I will do that too because I have a few. Charlie's not the easiest dog to photograph yet... he walks out of the shot as I'm taking it and his body is long so I miss some of it For now, I'm adding one here to start with!
Thank you for saying such nice things! I do feel like he and I found each other for a reason. He is a very happy bright spot in my life. I need him just as much as he needs me. I can tell you honestly that, when the trainer from the shelter called me, the first thing she asked about was the peeing. It seems that another lady adopted from them at the same time I did. The dog she got was also peeing nervously and she FREAKED OUT. When they called to check on the dog, the lady was yelling at them "This dog is peeing all over my house!!" and apparently their whole family was also screaming at the dog. HOW was that going to make it less nervous? Anyway, the next day, they took him back to the rescue and gave him up How can you give up on a dog in one or two days?
If Charlie gets to the point that he only pees when guests or strangers come in, I will consider that success. Staying dry with me and my daughters would equate to most of the time for him (I have an extremely small family and it's not often that I have strangers coming in). I would be really proud of him for that
For now, I'm adding one here to start with!
Thank you for saying such nice things! I do feel like he and I found each other for a reason. He is a very happy bright spot in my life. I need him just as much as he needs me. I can tell you honestly that, when the trainer from the shelter called me, the first thing she asked about was the peeing. It seems that another lady adopted from them at the same time I did. The dog she got was also peeing nervously and she FREAKED OUT. When they called to check on the dog, the lady was yelling at them "This dog is peeing all over my house!!" and apparently their whole family was also screaming at the dog. HOW was that going to make it less nervous? Anyway, the next day, they took him back to the rescue and gave him up How can you give up on a dog in one or two days?
If Charlie gets to the point that he only pees when guests or strangers come in, I will consider that success. Staying dry with me and my daughters would equate to most of the time for him (I have an extremely small family and it's not often that I have strangers coming in). I would be really proud of him for that 1 person likes this
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
11 Jun 11
I know what you're talking about.LOL
I took two weeks off from work to be home when Binne came into our family. I just couldn't get enough of her, I spent hours looking at her even when she was sleeping.
With the risk of being annoying, I repeat: Charlie is such a lucky doxie that he has found you! A step mother would have taken him back to the shelter because of the peeing issue - but not you!
Have you thought? Maybe this was the reason he was abandoned in the first place.
From what I remember I had read, he will probably do this less and less often with you and other members of the family but he will still do this with strangers and visitors.
A friend of mine has a Bichon girl with this problem. She's Binne's age and I remember we both worried about our girls one year ago. Binne got rid of the problem but my friend's Bichon remained a piddler. She never pees with her master but she does this every time my friend has guests (me included). But she also loves her dog and wouldn't change her for this small issue. Nothing a little soap and water doesn't fix.
I can't wait for you to have some free time to post Charlie's photos!
With the risk of being annoying, I repeat: Charlie is such a lucky doxie that he has found you! A step mother would have taken him back to the shelter because of the peeing issue - but not you!
Have you thought? Maybe this was the reason he was abandoned in the first place.
From what I remember I had read, he will probably do this less and less often with you and other members of the family but he will still do this with strangers and visitors.
A friend of mine has a Bichon girl with this problem. She's Binne's age and I remember we both worried about our girls one year ago. Binne got rid of the problem but my friend's Bichon remained a piddler. She never pees with her master but she does this every time my friend has guests (me included). But she also loves her dog and wouldn't change her for this small issue. Nothing a little soap and water doesn't fix.
I can't wait for you to have some free time to post Charlie's photos!1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
Sounds wonderful!! My sister has dachshunds. They're so cute!!!
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Jun 11
He's such a cutie!! Being a mini, too, he's got the long body but he's still easy to pick up - which is good because stairs are quite the challenge for him at this point LOL
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
23 Jun 11
Thanks for sharing this one! I am sure Charlie will get used to it. IT happens on my dogs too, they pee whenever they got frightened. When they get used to the sound creating inside our house and around the neighborhood, everything went okay. My one dog was with me for six years and the other one had been with me for 3 years now.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
23 Jun 11
Hi grecychunny! He is indeed getting better, a bit at a time! I am cleaning up after him less already in the house. I did find that he had been peeing on a dark rug in my bathroom once in awhile (maybe thinking no one saw it?) but I have removed that so he no longer has the temptation. He also is learning how to go up and down the stairs to the back door now - narrow stairs are a real challenge for a dachshund - and I find that allowing him to reach the door himself and walk outside (rather than having to pick him up and carry him out like we had to do before) is helping him to wait. I am very pleased with him and he gets rewarded a LOT
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
24 Jun 11
He gets rewarded a lot, do not spoil him . Anyway, I know you really love Charlie and from the way you shared more about him, I feel excited to meet Charlie too. Charlie is so lucky of having you.
. Anyway, I know you really love Charlie and from the way you shared more about him, I feel excited to meet Charlie too. Charlie is so lucky of having you. 
@savypat (20216)
• United States
11 Jun 11
Little dogs seem more prone to this problem than the larger ones. I would say as he becomes more confident he'll improve. Just to make sure I would check with my Vet. We have a larger dog, a female and once she was fixed she started wetting her bed. The Vet said that sometimes when they nuter a female the cut a nerve that causes this. We put her on a hormone and this helped, as the years went by we were able to wean her off of this. I'm just telling you this to show that the problem is not always nerves. Blessing to you and Charlie
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
11 Jun 11
Thank you so much, savypat! This is very good advice. Charlie was neutered by the rescue's vet prior to me bringing him home. They use the laser procedure for sterilization because it causes less bleeding for the dog...but the recovery time is longer. Charlie had 4 staples which were just removed by my vet two nights ago (they had to stay in for 12-14 days, post-op). If I don't see any improvement, I will make sure to check in with the vet. I want to do the best I can by him and, if it's nerves, I'll live with that... but if it's a physical matter that needs correction, I want to be sure to take care of it. Thanks for your help and good wishes!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
12 Jun 11
I am so happy to hear he is finally home. I know you must be so happy. I bet he is a real cutie.
I have seen dogs that are "nervous piddlers" and I'm not sure there is anything that you can do right away. As he becomes more comfortable with his new family, I'm sure it won't be as much of a problem. Good luck and give the little guy a hug for me.,,not too fast though
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
12 Jun 11
Hi Jen! I'm really happy to have him and he's settling in a little more every day now It was just two weeks on Friday that he's been home and I agree with you that time is going to be the factor that determines if the nervousness stays or goes. He has some excellent days and then we slide back a little... but I think that's normal. He's learned so much in just two weeks -- we made it all the way around the block on the leash again yesterday with only about 4 or 5 stops to look at birds, listen to kids, watch a guy watering his lawn... As you can see in this pic, too, he adores the warmth of the sun.
It was just two weeks on Friday that he's been home and I agree with you that time is going to be the factor that determines if the nervousness stays or goes. He has some excellent days and then we slide back a little... but I think that's normal. He's learned so much in just two weeks -- we made it all the way around the block on the leash again yesterday with only about 4 or 5 stops to look at birds, listen to kids, watch a guy watering his lawn... As you can see in this pic, too, he adores the warmth of the sun.@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
24 Jun 11
LOL yes, that's my little man... and thank you! I think he's pretty cute too
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
24 Jun 11
Is that Charlie? oh he's such a cutie.
1 person likes this
@watergirl (567)
• Philippines
11 Jun 11
That is so cute! How nice of you to adopt Charlie. I was LOL with your "He doesn't look like a Waggit... he looks like a Charlie" bit. Naming pets can be pretty amusing. I have a 10 yr-old Shih tzu at home. My avatar is actually Buffy (Yeah, the Vampire Slayer.) My hubby and I had her longer than we have our kids! We also had the peeing problem. Actually, we never got to train her properly. She just pees and poops on the garage. I think she looks for the dirtiest place and does her business there. At least she doesn't do it inside the house!
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
11 Jun 11
When they told me why they called him Waggit, I honestly thought to myself "OK, I'm sure he doesn't wag his tail THAT much!"... but guess what? He really does! LOL I still couldn't imagine myself outside calling out "Waggit" though 
.
Buffy is adorable!! My mom had a runt Shih tzu that weighed maybe 5 pounds soaking wet. Her name was Sasha and she had little dog syndrome to the hilt LOL She really thought she was "large and in charge" I tell ya! Not afraid of anything. Adorable little girl she was. It's great that Buffy is clean inside the house and has a place where she knows to go. Charlie has not pooped even once indoors since the night I brought him home. That's how I knew right away that the peeing problem was anxiety and not him actually needing to go. He understands what to do and, if I take him out back and tell him "pee Charlie," most of the time he does. It's sad that he is so scared but, again, I have no idea what he went through before he came to me... all I know is I can give him security now and hopefully build his confidence to a point where he's not doing it so often 