Rescue Dog Challenges

Question
We have just rescued Jackson a German Shepherd mix (we think he is mixed with Rotti).  The owner he was living with believes he is about a year old (he took Jackson when the original owner, who adopted him from a shelter, decided she wanted to give him up).  He has been in our home for approximately three weeks and seems to be adjusting well, he even gets along with my spoiled two year old shih tzu! We are having two major challenges and would love some guidance.  

1.) Jackosn pees!  When meeting new people in the house (we have learned to introduce friends outside and then all enter the house together), when he is pouting (i.e. the other dog is getting attention) and random other times.  He always acts nerveous when he does this tucking his tail, lowering his head and sometimes scooting away or cowering onto the furniture (a real disappointment).  He doesn't behve this way when being reprimanded (which would make more sense) it seems to be only when he has the belief he is being "punished" (for example ignored) even if our behavior and one dictates otherwise.  

2) Jackson bites! Never hard just lightly closes his mouth around your hand/arm/foot.  I am familiar with puppy nipping from raising my shih tzu.  However this behavior seems different.  Anytime you reach out to him he tries to grab onto your hand.  This behavior has only started in the past few days.  The first few weeks he nuzzled and licked but never "nipped".  He is generally good natured and never snaps or growls we think he may believe we trying to play but I am concerned that dismissing this as play when it may be aggression or allowing it to continue may cause problems down the road, especially if children are introduced to the household.  

Any thoughts on the causes of these behaviors or how to stop them would be greatly appriciated.

Thank you!
Janelle M.

Answer
This is a complex problem which needs the in person evaluation of a certified applied animal behavior expert.  I will explain why:
1.  Your dog is reacting to a strong conditioned response to his inappropriate urination, acquired in one (or more) of his recent homes.  Submissive urination is an indication of extreme anxiety and insecurity and is not uncommon.  Ignorant people (his former owners, not you!) respond to this behavior with punishment (sometimes severe) and the dog learns that the presence of his urine is an awful thing (therefore, his scooting away, etc.)  Ignoring a dog is NOT construed as punishment by the dog BUT IS RECOGNIZED as a sign of lower rank, and he may very well be responding to this genetic mandate and urinating as a sign of submission (which is TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE in the dog mind!)  Reprimanding this dog is NOT AT ALL acceptable, for any reason.  You need instruction on positive reinforcement training and observation of body signals, as well as a clear understanding of how dogs perceive their "pack" (which includes the dog's humans) and how to create and maintain fair, consistent pack leadership over both your dogs.

2.  Jackson appears to be attempting (given his breed mix this is not unexpected) to control an anticipated (conditioned response) physical interaction (perhaps being hit) by lightly grabbing your hand when it is offered.  This is NOT aggression.  Again, you need instruction from an expert who can observe this behavior first hand on how to manage it without exacerbating whatever event(s) created it.

You appear to have a kind, gentle dog who has been extremely mismanaged in the past and is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder of the dog kind.  Call a veterinary college nearest to your home and ask for referral to a Ph.D. behavior expert.  DO NOT consult a dog trainer.  Meanwhile, read everything you can about dog psychology written by people who know what they're doing: Patricia McConnell Ph.D., Ian Dunbar, John Fisher, Nicholas Dodman, and study positive reinforcement training (you can go to Karen Pryor's web site  but do NOT use a clicker as this dog might have acquired fear response to noise devices which may have been used to control him, such as penny cans.)