NEW ADDITION

Question
HI WE ARE PICKING UP A YOUNG FEMALE LAB MIX TOMORROW FROM OUR LOCAL SHELTER.THERE IS NE HISTORY ON HER SHE WAS DROPPED OFF IN A BOX  WHEN THE SHELTER WAS CLOSED. SHE GRABBED MY ATTENTION DUE TO THE FACT SHE WAS THE ONLY PUP WHO WAS NOT EXCITED TO SEE VISITOR'S =( I ASKED TO SEE HER OUTSIDE OF THE CAGE,SHE WAS HAPPY AND WAGGING HER TAIL,BUT SHE WAS VERY NERVOUS AND BEGAN TO DROP SPOTS OF URINE ,IS THERE A WAY WHEN WE GET HER HOME TO HELP HER BECOME MORE RELAXED SO THIS STOPS OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS MORE OF A HABIT AND SHE WILL ALWAYS DO?

Answer
Hi, Patti,

Thanks for the question.

I guess you've got her home by now!

Just come down to her level as much as possible (and don't pick her up off the ground--dogs feel safer with four on the floor). I don't think it's something she'll always do. It's probably just the result of being stressed about being in the shelter. She may exhibit some stress about being in your home initially too, but as long as you talk to her sweetly, never raise your voice, or punish her, she'll probably adjust pretty quickly.

You should hand feed her all her meals for the next few weeks, or at least until her nervous urination goes away on its own. If you want to REALLY help her move past her nervousness, you could use a pushing exercise, described here: http://tinyurl.com/3balu6  I don't think you'll need to fast her (that's only necessary for some dogs).

Also, the more you play with her, the more emotionally, socially, and neurologically developed she'll become. The best games are tug and fetch. Here a couple of links on how to do that:

http://www.tiny.cc/jumpstart

http://www.tiny.cc/playbenefits

http://www.tiny.cc/tug

Let me know how it goes!

LCK