Hi, I have an 8yr old Min Schnauzer and he is fantastic, we only have one problem though. When he is out on the lead (Which he is very good at, he never pulls, responds to commands etc...) he is constantly trying to releave his bowls.

He will do it once and from then on he will do it over and over, more often than not nothing will come out in the end! He never does it off the lead ie: When we go for a big run at the weekends but he does it on his lead walks. This is becoming very hard work as we can no longer take him into town with us as we are forever cleaning up after him and it is very hard work (and embarrasing). I really am at an end now i have tried giving him a short sharp yank, telling him off, ignoriong him and carrying on, treats for when he is walking well. Nothing seems to stop him.

Is this psycological? He has done it for as long as i can remember? Anyone had similar problems or got any tips. Im getting a pup soon and i am hoping that Boss will be so interested in walking with his pal he will forget that he wants to strain.

Roxanne

hi Kkirgirl,

I would ask if you have taken your dog to your vet for their opinion first. You say this has been going on for a long time. Your dog may have a digestive problem and why it has a need to try and relive itself. It could have some blockage that is not clearing or a growth inside the rectum that make your dog feel it should clear it. I donot think this a control problem as you must ask what does the dog achive from this. Yes there is comfort in going to the loo but I doubt this nice sensation is actually adictive and especially for such a long time. If it is some other problem your vet may prescribe some calmers that me reduce the stimulation to a more normal level. It is possible that the appearance of your next pup may indeed take your dogs mind of this digestive need.

Hi Roxanne,
Alan is right when he suggests that you visit the vet. It is possible he has a medical problem. Is he entire? If he is it would be worth the vet checking his prostate.

Yes he is entire, but the reason why i am not particually concered is because he only does this on the lead, usually if we go in to town or go on a walk. He never does it off the lead and he never does it in the garden. Thats why i think it is something he has got in to the habbit of doing rather than it being a physical problem.

Like i said the only time he does it is when he is on the lead. Do you really think it would be worth me taking him to the vet? He is extreemley healthy, fit and his stools are very good, i see no illness, or cause be concerned about his health.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks Roxanne.

Hi Roxanne,
That does seem odd that the use of a lead stimulates his anus. I would still ask the vet their opinion before advising a retraining programme. It is possible that being entire could have a reason and an injection of a hormomen could test him for the result as if he were castrated to see if this creates any change. It lasts about 3 months and if there is a change for the better then maybe the vet will do the operation but at 8 years old they may be a bit hesitent.
I cannot see other than wishing to be off the lead being the reason but with a dog he may have leant this as a way of getting you to letting him off. Dogs do learn that going to the toilet does get your attention even if it is anger. Have you tried any other types of lead like a full body harness or Haltie just to see if this too causes the same result.
Just in case it is you as the cause next time just try to walk on as if nothing is happening when your dog trys to stop. If you get him to walk again without going to the toilet give praise and maybe a titbit to reward not going. Make sure you time this right and only reward not going.

Hi,

I have tried all sorts of leads, choke, collar and body harness. I now only walk him on the harness as he never pulls and walks really well. Apart from the squatting problem.

I think i may mention it to the vet and see what they think. I dont think he has learned to do it as a way of getting off the lead as i never let him off unless we are at the nature reserve where we dont use a lead anyway. So i think it is something that he feels he must do. For what reason i do not know but no ammount of training has been able to stop this.

I have come to the conclusion that it is just 'what he does' my husband says that he does it less when he walks him but i really do find that hard to believe, why does he only do it with me?

I am still hoping that having a pal walking with him will take his mind off it and get him out of the habbit, time will tell i suppose.

Roxanne

hi,
I can only think it is you, if inadvertantly, in some way you are the trigger as he only does it on the lead, not so much for your husband but maily for you..

Do try walking as if nothing is happening a couple of times and ask your husband to watch to see if he can see what the dog is trying to tell you and especally when you seem to not react to the event. Just one trick try if you do heel work and walk you dog on the left. Try walking him on the right and try a fast pace just to throw him off balance for a while. just one further thought if you are going for a walk and he trys to squat are you close enough to home to go home and so no walk and no reward. ie squat = end of walk.

Do try the vet just in case of something then you can at least discount it and then you could do with a good dog instructor to watch and to read you and your dog as you walk to see if there is some "tell" that is the trigger.
It is an odd thing to do and I have read and re read your mail but cannot see why.
Certainly you could be a trigger but I would have to watch you to see both your reactions to the events.
After 8 years you are use to it but it does sound as if you could do without it as it does not allow you to live your life the way you wish and revolves around your dog not being able to go places you like to go because of your dog. This should not happen as you should rule dogs not the other way round.
it could also be a new friend may take his mind of it.