Need serious advice... frustrated to no end.

[catnapper]

I need more info... how old is he? How long have you had him? What breed is he? Are these new bahaviors or ones he has always had?

[Nobas Mom]

Noba is a 16 month old basset hound, I've had him since he was 8 weeks old... he's the sweetest dog in the world and I couldn't imagine life without him... as frustrated as I get with him... just seeing his sweet face when I get home or wake up puts a smile on my face. He's always been a dog that commands a lot of attention, but recently he just seems to be acting up. And I can't fathom the ridiculous amount of peeing he's been doing. I take him out 20-25 minutes at a time and he goes and goes outside, then when he comes in, he goes to the kitchen or bathroom floor (thank goodness not the carpet) not 15 minutes later and pees again. He was neutered last week, and I thought maybe he had a urinary infection, but after the sample was taken to the vet, they said he was fine. I'm just so frustrated with him, could it be the lack of exercise???

[Karen]

Have you done any obedience training with him? Is he all recovered from the neutering? Lack of exercise could explain the nipping - he's bored, but I don't know about the peeing.

[Nobas Mom]

Have you done any obedience training with him? Is he all recovered from the neutering? Lack of exercise could explain the nipping - he's bored, but I don't know about the peeing.

My boyfriend and I did put him through an obedience class when he was younger, but we were asked to leave after three classes because Noba was more interested in playing with all the puppies more than paying attention (although outside of class he was picking up on all the training perfectly)... so I guess no, he has not been through formal training...

As far as being fully recovered from his neutering, he seems to be... he is back to his playful cheerful sweet self... just seems to be acting up for whatever reason. The excessive peeing is not explained. I just began switching his food a few days ago and he does seem to be drinking more water... ????

I figured the nipping was from lack of exercise, but unfortunately with the Seattle weather being crazy lately (rain and snow), taking him to the park or on walks is not an option...

I dunno, I'm just frustrated with him that's all...

[catnapper]

My boyfriend and I did put him through an obedience class when he was younger, but we were asked to leave after three classes because Noba was more interested in playing with all the puppies more than paying attention (although outside of class he was picking up on all the training perfectly)... so I guess no, he has not been through formal training...

What?!?! I hope you demanded a full refund! I have NEVER asked someone's puppy to leave over playfullness... biting another dog on the nose, yes, but not playfullness.

Lots of peeing also could be a sign of diabetes. I believe you need a blood test, not a urine test to determine that.

AS for the nipping.... ignore him, ignore him, ignore him. Its all for attention, Yelling at him and shooing him away is unfortunately rewarding the veryt behavior you're trying to eliminate. Dogs don't care if you're screaming at them or cooing. They don't care if youre caressing or kicking. Its all the same to them: its attention. Remove the attention and the misbehavior will cease.... but you have to be 100% consistent.

[catnapper]

Oh, I forgot.... is he on any meds at the moment? steroids or anything? I ask about steroids because they're famous for increasing thirst and making them pee like crazy.

16 months old is rather late to have him neutered, but I'm glad you did. The peeing could also likely be result of him leaving his scent behind for fellow girlie basset hounds. This may or may not stop because you waited so long that the behavior is now habit. You won't really know for a few weeks because the hormones are still in his system and they'll take a few weeks to fade away.

[Nobas Mom]

Oh, I forgot.... is he on any meds at the moment? steroids or anything? I ask about steroids because they're famous for increasing thirst and making them pee like crazy.

16 months old is rather late to have him neutered, but I'm glad you did. The peeing could also likely be result of him leaving his scent behind for fellow girlie basset hounds. This may or may not stop because you waited so long that the behavior is now habit. You won't really know for a few weeks because the hormones are still in his system and they'll take a few weeks to fade away.

The only meds he is on is for his HD (glucosamine, fish oil and MSM), but he's been on those since he was diagnosed 8 months ago. I got him fixed now because I could finally afford it and I don't wanna breed him because of his HD. The only change in anything with him is the food. I started switching him from IAMS to Innova Evo three days ago, and that's about the time his thirst increased.

[Nobas Mom]

What?!?! I hope you demanded a full refund! I have NEVER asked someone's puppy to leave over playfullness... biting another dog on the nose, yes, but not playfullness.

Lots of peeing also could be a sign of diabetes. I believe you need a blood test, not a urine test to determine that.

AS for the nipping.... ignore him, ignore him, ignore him. Its all for attention, Yelling at him and shooing him away is unfortunately rewarding the veryt behavior you're trying to eliminate. Dogs don't care if you're screaming at them or cooing. They don't care if youre caressing or kicking. Its all the same to them: its attention. Remove the attention and the misbehavior will cease.... but you have to be 100% consistent.

Yeah, my boyfriend did get his money back and I was pretty upset about him being "kicked out of class", he was 3 1/2 months old, so of course he is gonna wanna play...

I've thought about diabetes being a possibility, but I don't wanna face that possibility. The poor baby already has enough problems (diagnosed with hip displaysia at 8 months old and all)... but I guess I will call his vet on Monday to make an appt just in case. Maybe bring in another urine sample for more tests just to be sure.

I am consistent with ignoring him, unfortunately my roomies get fed up and yell at him when he nips... he only does it when he wants to play. I guess I just feel that working two jobs is too much on him and then with the weather not being cooperative and all... I just want to know that I'm doing everythign I can to make him happy. I am seriously on the verge of crying thinking that my baby is not happy, that he is not getting all the love and attention he deserves... shoot, I am crying just reading this as I write. I think about him being miserable and it kills me, it hurts me to the core... Thinking about even rehoming him (which is really not a possibility) makes me want to die, but then I think about the fact that he would get all the attention he needs, but could anyone ever love him as much as I do????