I would like some help/advice. We have a 5 year old lurcher, that we got from rescue just over 2 years ago. The problem is, well actually there are a few, she is never 'clean' when we go out. We have tried all manner of things and she is always left with a kong, hotdogs, bustercube and the radio on. We have tried the trial 'leavings' but none are as convincing as the real thing! and she always seems to know. We have also used CCTV to see what she gets upto which was quite distressing as she does three things 1. stands at the top of the stairs and howls. 2. jumps up repeatedly at the front door. 3. (which is the very few moments inbetween) plays with her kong/buster cube. We have ended up always putting paper down, which she seems to understand that she needs to go on (however we have tried the moving it closer to the back door etc thing and it doesn't work) it seems to be the place, not the paper that she pees on!! She is always clean in the house when we are in and at night, no matter how long she has to wait, if she is with us she is never 'dirty'.
The other problem is her anti social behaviour both with children and with other dogs, well not so much her anti-social behaviour as her unpredictableness (if thats a word!) when we first got her she was great with kids ( we have two aged 6 and 7 when we first got her - now 9 and 11) and she has always beens fantastic with them and at first with their friends. She first nipped at a little boy when we were on a picnic ( we had had her 10 months by then and showed no signs of aggression) and after that we were more careful, she then nipped at a friend of our childs about 6 months later, we have no idea whether this was 'provoked' or not. Since this I have been very careful around children and our dog seems very nervous of children but not if they are calm and confident. My sister has since had a child (now 6 months) and she is fine with her (obviously I am very careful and never leave them unsupervised). I don't know what caused my dogs initial fear/aggression. Her aggression towards other dogs seem to all happen at the same time, obviously being lurcher I was aware she might not be good with little dogs and have always been careful regarding this, however she was always fine with larger dogs and although was a little boisterious knew when to stop or calm down. Now however if the other dog is boisterous as well she will snap at it (if it is calm she will sniff it and walk off and have no interest) she used to play with other dogs now its become a dominance thing(I think). She has had two dogs really 'go' for her a GSD and staffie (not at the same time) obviously this didn't help but I'm not sure this is the cause of her problems. She is perfectly friendly with my parents dog and my mother-in-laws dogs who have stayed with us on occassions.
I'm so sorry this message is so long, but there is no point in asking for help if I don't provide all the info needed. Hope somebody can help. My e-mail is info@alisonjohns.co.uk

Anyone?

Firstly the toilet training. It sounds like she has the run of the place while you are out, try restricting her access and putting her into one room. Make sure this is not the room where she favours as her toilet area. As she is capable of going for long periods while you are there without messing, I would take up the paper as this will only encourage her. Make sure where she goes is washed with a biological washing powder solution and even a de-odourising pet spray. If she is just weeing I would take a sample to the vets and check she hasn't got cystitus first. If this doesn't work I would even try a cage or pen her in a very small area (I assume you are not away for long periods). This sounds like a habit that needs breaking rather than anything else.

Secondly the nipping of children.....obviously a more serious problem, but if you do not know her background it is possible she has been provoked by children in the past, they may have even been nasty to her. It sounds more like fear as she is fine with children she knows well. I cannot offer any quick fixes here, but carry on as your are doing watching her very carefully and even muzzle her in childrens company to be on the safe side. Again the dog attacks sound fear related, she will need her confidence built up on this one, walking her with dogs you know that will ignore her or be nice to her.....it could be a slow process, but we all fear our dogs being attacked in the park as it can install this type of behaviour in them.

Hopefully someone else may have further suggestions

Good luck
Sandra