PLEASE HELP - yelping, screaming puppy!

[mfixx3]

Hi, my Frenchie is 3 and half moths old. We have started behavioral classes and house training. For the most part, all is going very well. We just got him to sleep for at least 5 hours through the night before needing to potty. We have also successfully managed to bell train him to request "outside" for spurts during the day and have paper down in case he can't make it to the bell (which he has successfully used in tha past). Great! Here's the problem, as all puppies will have accidents or moments of forgetfulness, he will occassionally pee on the floor. If we don't catch him, no problem and we simply clean it up. If we catch him in the process, we pick him up and either take him out or (because we live on the third floor) put him on paper. Up until last week, this plan worked flawlessly. NOW, when we catch him in the act, say no and pick him up, he makes the most god-awful screams and yelps - like he's being attacked or something. It's hideous! Today, he started before I even scooped him up. And once you put him down, he cowers and flattens himself to the ground. It's all I can do to keep from crying. Then while I'm cleaning the pee, he comes over to my feet and either sits or lies down on them. At which point, I pick him up, hold him, and try my hardest not to cry - I've just never heard anything like that. I don't know what to do. It's horrible. I've never hurt this dog or hit him or even accidently stepped on his paw (which is amazing considering how much he gets underfoot). I got him at 2 months old and now I'm wondering if he was abused as a pup? If so, wouldn't he have been acting this way since day one? Please help me! I'm probably more upset than him but this is really scary!

[ashley1135]

I really doubt he was abused. Often people think that all animals that cower have been abused but it often isn't the case. I cower if someone pretends to raise a hand, but I've never been struck, it's a natural reaction. Some animals are just really sensitive souls. My great dane was the most soft hearted animals I have known who would cry and soil himself when my neighbor shouted at his dog. It is strange that your baby is shrieking the the way he is though. I certainly understand how upset you must be, a crying dog just makes you feel horrible.:(

I would not speak in loud tones when you catch him relieving himself, but pick him up and put him where he should be and then say quietly "go potty" or whatever your phrase is. I could scream all day at my dog and he wouldn't care, but for some dogs yelling is heartbreaking. When interrupting a dog who is urinating in the house, the important thing is not to make him think that his natural urge to urinate is bad. Gently picking him up and quietly saying "oh my, oh my, oh, my..." (or anything) and then getting him where he needs to be is enough without yelling or clapping your hands for some dogs. I'd stay with him until he potties where he should then praise him with treats and hugs. I hope your situation improves soon, for your sanity's sake.

[yomshanti]

Hi! Although my puppy,Winston, is not a yelper or screamer, he is a howler, especially when I am out of his sightline. I have come to learn from talking to and communicating with other Frenchie people that some Frenchies just do this. Yup, it's annoying and frightening. I don't know if there is a way to break them of this...if someone out there knows how to stop yelping, screaming, howling, I know I, personally would welcome your comments.

[bulldoggin30]

It's the Frenchie scream! When we had our pup in the car on our way back to the airport, he made that horrible noise all the way home! Then also when we put him in his kennel! He eventually stopped. He would also yell a little when we caught him in the act or just to pick him up to put him out after we found an accident. He just stopped yelling after a few weeks. When I had Paisley here ( 1 1/2 years old) I introduced her to Bosco a Frenchie from work and when he snapped at her she let out the most pitiful scream! But that's the only time I heard her do that and I don't think her owners have heard it. Frenchies are just sensitive I guess! ;)