Bugsy

Hiya LCB'ers,

I have my Hazel who is in my profile pic and i have a tiny little Chihuahua mix who is a holy terror. He is going to be 13 years old come this summer! I think he has lived so long because he is so damn mean!

Rule 1: If he sits in your lap your not allowed to pet him. That's a big no no!

Rule 2: If he is laying in the chair that you wish to occupy you might as well forget about it. He will growl and show his teeth!

Rule 3: When he decides he wants to mark his territory and he is scolded for it, you might want to keep a fair distance from him cuz he will threaten to bite your ankles if you get too close.

Rule 4: He is a very finicky eater. There is only one dog food he will eat and if the store is out of it and i purchase another kind...he will go on a hunger strike.

Rule 5: When sitting in my lap don't come within a 20 feet of where i am. If you even attempt to walk across the room near me.....he will warn you......BACK OFF she is mine!!

Rule 6: Don't even attempt to befriend him. He has one love and one love only and that's me.

This little 10 pound dog rules the house.  Last month took the cake with his antics. I have a friend who moved in with me last summer. She loves bugsy! Why? I am still trying to figure that out.

As she sitting on the couch Bugsy decides he wants to sit in her lap. Excited that he is showing her some love she bends down to give him a kiss. A kiss is not what he  was looking for.........her lap was his only interest. He lets her know this by biting her on the nose!!!!

As the blood poured down her face i was in total horror! Off to the the emergency room we go because we feared the worst...stitches. He left two big bite marks on her nose. The doc said she was lucky the bite was  not deeper and stitches were not necessary.

This poor girl had to go to work for a week with a  nose that looked like it was on the battlefield. I came this close to putting him down as result. I just didn't have the heart to do it. I am too much of a dog lover. I tease my friend now as we try to find some comic relief! Her new name is Marcia Marcia!!!

Yes i know what your all probably thinking. He was not disciplined!! I'm afraid that not quite true. He is psychotic! But i have to admit.........i love him.

Sweet little Bugsy.  He is getting old and set in his ways.  

Your description of how he acts had me smiling. (all except what your friend had to go thru. )

  I have known other little dogs like this, and although some of their behaviors are less than what we would like, we love them just the same. We learn to accomadate for their personality.

Bless little Bugsy.  What can you do but love him to pieces.  He doesnt know he is psychotic. lol

Thanks for sharing Lips.....and (try to) give Bugsy a hug from me.

He is adorable by the way. 

                                                              PMM

Ooooooo Lips, Bugsy is cute as much as Hazelnut!!!
I don't really think he is so much psychotic but he is just simply getting old...you know, when we, human gets older, we become very grumpy except my sweet great grand mama!!!...ha ha ha!!!
I can only imagine what you and your friend went through...wow, bless your friend!
Take good care of your sweet babies,Lips!!! You are a good momma!!!

Awwwww...My older sis took in something like that once. He was a real piece of work and while he "Tolerated" me, I kind of liked him and got along as best as I could.

He'd been abused by males and so I gave room when he wanted it though. I cried when I buried him (Hit by a car, he was an explorer type) and I was glad I had the time with him though.

He is a devil dog but by the same token he has character and what is really amazing is that most people do like this little sh**t!!

I think he suffers from little man syndrome!

Lips

hehehe...

OMG!!! I LOVE this dog!!!! 

Lips, I flicked on this story, thinking it was some cool bank robbery story that we like...or some cool old movie named Bugsy...but it is the coolest dog I have ever seen.

You picked the perfect name.  What a little rebel!!!  and his expression looks just like you described him...he has that..stay the hell away from me look..hehehe

waaaaaaaaaay funny 

i was laughing so hard reading this post, i couldn't see from the tears in my eyes.

your poor friend...but CLEARLY she should have known better.
and what a meanie...marcia..marcia...oh my nose...oh my nose

peeps pulled that marcia on me when i broke mine....meanies 

oh.....so funny.

i love that dog.  bugsy.  what a great post....thanks

          nal 

Please forgive me for laughing Lips and your friend as well... But "Marcia Marcia" and your story has me rolling on the floor!!!!!!! Your puppy brings back memories of my own experiences, he is adorable and your patience and love with him is very complimentary.

He is similar to a character in Lord of the Rings Gollum!! Sometimes pyschotic and then moments of being very sweet!

maybe i can relate...hehe 

ROFLMAOOOOOOOO!!!! Nal once again you crack me up!!

Lips

hehe...thanks lips

Not to take away from Bugsy...because he is AWESOME!!!! But I have a funny one

I am passing on.

I heard this Chihuahua story the same day you posted yours:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know most of you have pets and are dog lovers and will help.

Our neighbor, Marie, has lost her Chihuahua puppy and is desperate to find him.

Yesterday, she was sitting on the couch watching TV and realized he was gone. She called out to him and he never responded.

She then noticed the back door was open. She has been putting up signs everywhere in an effort to have him returned.  A picture of him is included below.

Thanks for your help.
 

For the love of God!!!!!!!!!! You got me on that one!!!!! Holy cripesssssssssssss!!! Lmaoooooooo!!

Wow wow wow!! That is right up there with the mascara on your butt line!!!!

Lips

OMG.. the poor thing is stuck in between her butt..

you know...i never thought the mascara thing was so funny...cannot believe you even remember that.  i had to think hard on that for a minute.
i was waiting all day for you to read this one tho...hehe...weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
God help the little guy if she farts 

hahahahahahaha.....don't be sad viv, unless she sits down!!!

Hiya Guys and Dolls,

I have drug this thread out of the archives because i have a dilemma with this little fella of mine. He is up there in age 13 now and he has always from time to time likes to marks his territory with a tinkle here and there. But now he is TOTALLY out of hand! I know he is up there in age now and i think thats part of the problem. He just flat don't care who seems him. At least before he was discrete. But he is far from senile and sharp as a tack.

If i let him outside he will come in and literally lift his leg to pee! This is after i just let him in. And if i yell at him he stands there and growls at me! Short of getting the dog whisperer does anyone have any suggestions to stop this.

He has peed on shoes, coats, furniture and anything that is new that comes in the house. He only goes outside to get a treat. He saves his tinkling for the house when he comes back in.

Anything i am willing to try.

Lips

Awww,Lips.......I wish I can give you the advice you need but... :'(

As I told you before, I have this darn puppy who pees and poops only inside the house...

It has been almost three months and he just don't get the idea...
and because of him, I have been so stressed out and been steam cleaning everyday...too much work.

We have tried everything suggested by websites and vets but no go.

So I feel so helpless...

Any help would be great!

Hi Lips,

I just found this:

Why has my dog suddenly begun marking in the house when he didn't do it before?

Usually it is because of feelings of insecurity or a perceived threat. This perceived threat, for example, can be an introduction of a new baby, a new pet, a visitor or even a new piece of furniture. The smell of other animals on your footwear or clothing can also trigger a dog to feel the need to mark his territory.

For example, a new baby in the home brings new sounds, smells, and people, as well as changes in routine. Your dog may not be getting as much attention as previously. Changes cause him to feel anxious, which may cause him to mark.

Some dogs feel the need to lift their leg and pee on all new things that enter your house, shopping bags, visitors belongings, new furniture, children's toys etc. Many of these dogs are lacking in confidence and by marking new objects it makes them feel more secure having deposited their own scent on these objects.

Some dogs will never mark in their own house but will embarrass you by marking if you visit a friend or relative's home. Your dog feels less secure there and feels the need to make it more comfortable to him by laying down a few of his own familiar scents.

Even a previously housetrained neutered male dog will urine mark under certain circumstances. This doesn’t mean it will become a regular problem. He may urine mark one or twice in a new home and then never do it again.

How to stop your dog marking urine in the house

Below are some tips to prevent or stop your dog peeing in the house.

Neuter

For pet dogs, early neutering will stop marking behavior in the majority of dogs. Neutering at an early age can prevent the habit forming.

For older dogs, neutering may still have the desired effect but marking in the house may have become a habit that you will have to break. Try the supervision method below.

In one study the following was found. "Our research shows that neither age at time of neutering nor duration of the problem behavior has influence on the likelihood that a behavior will change following neutering, thus one need not think that because a male dog has been engaging in problem urine marking or aggressive behavior for five years that it is too late to consider neutering. "Center for Companion Animal Health, UC Davis"

Testosterone seems to play a role in urine marking. At least one study has shown that neutering a dog at any age will help prevent it. It can't be guaranteed that neutering a dog is going to magically cure this problem but if you don't neuter a male dog, your chances of breaking the habit are greatly reduced.

Of course neutering isn't always an option as you may wish to breed your dog.

Supervise and Break the Habit

You MUST catch him in the act! DOGS LEARN QUICKLY FROM THIS

Close supervision is necessary. You must be dedicated to stop the marking behavior of your dog and you must be consistent. A couple of weeks or often much less time of intense supervision and correction can save you a lifetime of tearing your hair out trying to find a quick fix for the problem. Some people have reported that it has only taken a day or two using the intense supervision method.

Confine your dog to one area of the house where you can watch him. Shut doors to other areas of the house or barricade them off with baby gates or improvise with whatever is at hand.

If barricading is not possible another option is to put your dog on a retractable lead while he is in the house with you and for you to have total control at all times.

Make yourself a Shaker Bottle or Shaker Can

A shaker can is simply an empty cola can with a several coins inside it. The opening is taped over to prevent the coins flying out. It makes a lot of noise when you shake it up and down.

A shaker bottle is a plastic bottle with some small pebbles or coins placed inside.

Watch your dog for any signs (such as sniffing and circling) that he is even thinking about marking. The moment he begins to lift his leg shake the can once only to get his attention. The loud noise should startle him and interrupt what he is doing. As he looks towards where the noise has come from. Give him the command in a stern voice 'NO PEE'. Sometimes throwing the can in his general direction works well too but be careful not to hit him with it as you only want to startle him not harm him.

OK, so you have stopped him peeing once. Now you have to be consistent and diligent and continue with the behaviour modification each and every time you see him attempt to mark urine.

Do not rant, rave or smack your dog at any time. Punishment will make an insecure dog more insecure.

This method is not intended for house training your puppy, only for urine marking. Potty training is another issue. You may wish to read this article: How to potty train your dog or puppy

Praise him when he pees where you want him to

Don't forget to praise your dog when he marks in an appropriate place. If you are outside and he marks on a tree or other acceptable object or area tell him what a good boy he is. Tell him, 'Pee here, good boy'  in a happy voice. Dogs learn quickly from positive responses to their behavior.

The message you are trying to get across to him is that urine marking isn't bad, but that marking inside the house isn't such a good idea.

When you go out

Dogs who suffer separation anxiety may pee while you are out. They are not peeing out of spite because you left them, dogs just don't think like this. They are feeling anxious at being left alone. Try leaving them an item of your worn clothing with your familiar smells on it. This just might be enough to settle their anxiety.

Confinement is the only answer for some dogs

Some dogs will never be able to be trusted with the run of the house. Although inconvenient to you it may be necessary to close doors to certain rooms and only allow freedom in the rooms he can be trusted.

Not sure if any of that helps Lips.

blue

Hi Guys,
These dog stories are too funny!  What we go thru for the love of our little critters, huh?!?!?

I have a "Cujo wannabee" myself - a 20lb. Shih Tzu mix named Willie that I took in as a foster dog that had been abused & abandoned.  I adopted him after he & my Lhasa Apso bonded.  He's been a challenge ever since, and has bitten everyone in my family.  I even hired a Trainer to come out & work with him for a while, and that guy told me that, in 20 yrs of training every kind of dog every which way, he'd never seen one as stubborn as Willie.  :o  Willie's funny as hell most of the time, tho, so he earns his keep.

Lips - Bugsy is marking for some reason.  It might be as simple as a change in his environment, or it could be something physical, like an infection.  If you've ruled out the physical side, try to figure out what's triggered his insecurity/territorialism.  Willie poohs in the house when something sets him off, and after 4 yrs, I can pretty much tell what's going to do it - workmen in the house, too much company, addition of another dog or a visiting one.... stuff like that.

wnanhee - You can housetrain a dog at any age, you just have to be super-vigilante for a few weeks, then you're done.

1st - Make sure you're taking him out every hour at first.  Make sure he goes potty, and you praise him exuberantly while he's doing it, and immediately after he's done.  If he responds to food treats, give him a treat **WHILE** he's going, then again immediately afterwards. 

2nd - Do not reprimand him in any way for his potty accidents, UNLESS you catch him in the act.  If you do, tell him !NO! and race him outside to finish, then praise him profusely while he's doing it.  Ignore his bad potty behavoir & praise his good potty behavoir, and he'll quickly learn what you want.  Good luck!!

Thank you so much blue for taking the time to research for me. I greatly appreciate it and will try some of the tips offered.

Lhasa - Loved reading your story and admire you for rescuing a dog. If i could i would give you a huge hug right now!

Bugsy is very stubborn too. Very stubborn! I come to learn from the vet he is allergic to beef after he was about a year old when he began to develop a terrible itch. The vet told me to give him only chicken or lamb and to ck labels well cuz some still have beef ingredients.

Well to make a long story short he refused to eat the new food.  A couple days went by i called the vet and he said he will eat when he is hungry enough. He said he is just trying to buffalo me. He said whatever i do, don't cave in and show him who is boss because he never heard of a dog starving themselves to death!

You won't ever guess how long he waited to eat? Three weeks this little monster refused to eat! I was soooo flipped out but i knew i had to stay strong cuz it was the only food option for him with this allergy.

When i told the vet it took three weeks before he ate, he told me he has never heard of a dog waiting that long and has to be the most stubborn dog he has ever seen!!

Yeah thats my Bugsy!

Lips, sorry to hear this...Bugsy has been a friend of mine for a long time.  I fell in love with him a couple years ago before i joined...

He has my personality, except the peeing problem...hehe
I really love this dog...hope you can fix him.

In my experience, it is a change in HIS environment that is causing this problem.  Maybe you have brought in a new pet or roomate that he is having a tough time getting used too...they will just need to spend some quality time together
and maybe it will work itself out..

Good luck!!

Hi Lips, I had a bichon that started doing this when he got old. I had tried several of the posted suggestions but was not able to stop it completely.

Since he was old and our baby, I was not going to confine him so I resorted to using a doggie diaper while he was in the house - it was denim on the outside so it was kind of cute and was just like a baby's plastic pants with snaps on the sides to get it on and off easily. You can find them at a pet store. Just another idea if it doesn't stop and you don't want to or can't confine Bugsy.

He never once went in his pants and I was able to stop using the diaper after a while.

Omg Arizona is that a great idea! I think that may be the only cure all for this little buzzard.

Confining him to one room does not work. I left him in a room one time and shut the door when i went out. Now mind you he is only ten pounds but has the strength of a Hercules. This is what the door looked like when i got back...........



In one hour he did this damage to a den door! He showed me who was boss and i better not  ever do that again to him! I think he truly suffers from little man syndrome.

Lips

You know...I got a dog that used to pee all around the house when I first bought him, and I really used to aggrevate me, but it took a lot of patience and they do learn, but that is when they are puppies.
This dog clearly has issues.  He is upset, or sometimes when they have an infection, they start peeing allover the place like this, but usually randomly.

My God, that little bugger is strong, huh?  Unbeliveable.  You think he's pissing you off...you better stop pissing HIM off.  hahahahaha.

Hiya Guys and Dolls,

Just had to share with ya all that today is Bugsy's Birthday! The little varmint is 15 today and meaner then ever! I took him this morn for my coffee run and he got a Pup Cup (whip cream in a cup) at Starbucks.

Of course if Hazel even looked at it Bugs was showing her his killer teeth. The spry old man was cute though running around the yard promenading with  the pup cup in his mouth proud as he could be and teasing Hazel the whole time like "he he he"!

Lips

We need a pic of the little sucker on his birthday. Too cute. Happy Birthday Bugsy!

The birthday festivities wore him out and in the end Bugs showed his true colors.........a real softy for his best bud.



Lips

Awww how sweet!!!

Happy birthday to a very sweet, Bugsy!

Wish you will have lots of treats and uncountable smooches and hugs!->here is mine.....

               

Wishing Bugsy Happy Birthday and many more to come 
He's adorable!

Lips, I too have a problem with my dogs peeing in the house. He's the black lab that I rescued from the river and my daughter's dog.
We first brought him home, he would piss across my carpet when walking! He kept this up so,  I took him to the vet, thinking he had some medical problem.
It got better. less frequent till my daughter's dog moved in. Now, they both mark anywhere and everywhere. Especially anything new around; clothes on the floor, hanging up but in pissing reach, grocery sacks, etc.
They know to go outside cos when I'm around, they will let me know (most of the time). The lab  has never crapped in the house so that there tells me he knows to go out.
Me, being the animal lover that I am, couldn't make myself confine them to a cage. Not until now, only cos hubby said that they go if I don't do something about them. So now, in the  ...................sun room they go lol. But only when I'm gone and at night time.
I had read online that there is some kind of apple cider spray that u can use. I haven't tried  it cos I have yet to find any.

Very cute Lips.  Happy 15th to the dear little fella. 

blue

Hi LCB friends,

Just had to give ya all an update on Bugsy. His 16th birthday just past in August and every year i think it is his last he is still hanging in there.

He sorta of went down hill in the last year. His eyesight is going and i think he has lost much of his hearing. But he stills has moments where he runs through the yard like a young pup chasing squirrels and birds away.

Hazel really looks out for Bugs and even the slightest cough from Bugs, Hazel runs to him licks him and makes sure he is alright. Hazel has become his eyes when he can't see the treats left for him, patiently waiting for him to eat it and nudging it so bugs will find it.  Hazel has become Bug's ears and follows her lead and will bark right along with Haze.

Bugs can no longer be in charge and has handed that job down to Hazel where he couldn't of given that honor to a better friend. And so the circle of life continues and Bugs has showed Hazel the way to guard his mom and house.

It's going to be a long winter and instead of worrying day to day when Bug's time is up i instead celebrate he is still here..........

Lips

thanks for the update and im glad you are celebrating the fact hes still here.gl

Bugsy, happy birthday!

That is so sweet Lips.  You truly are blessed.

blue

Aww little Bugsy. Looking at him you'd never know he was mean. I've taken so many pics of him over the years. Here's a couple of the little cutie.

Bugsy with his Chicago Bears cookie...

Cute dog and he doesn't look like he has a mean hair on his body. Because he is a littler breed he will be around longer than the bigger dogs. Happy sweet 16 birthday bugsy. 

Bugsy just celebrated his 17th birthday! The little critter said he ain't going anywhere. He is showing his age and doesn't hear or see like he use to but he still barks and runs around the yard chasing the squirrels and birds away!

Aww bless him.  Happy 17th Birthday to bugsy.  That's a great age Lips and must be down to all the love and care you give him.

Wow, 17 years! The meaner they are the longer they live! God bless the lil thing.

Happy 17th birthday Bugsy! It's nice to hear that he runs around chasing other animals.

Happy Birthday Bugsy!!!

Is it right to have such power to decide the fate of life? That was my burning question that nagged at me for months. Bugsy at 18 years old with crippling arthritis, nearly blind and deaf  began to suffer. I avoided the obvious deterioration not wanting to face it.

That was until yesterday when i realized i was being extremely selfish to hold on to him. I had a friend come pick him up and bring him to the vet and put to sleep. I knew Bugsy wasn't fully with it anymore and most likely wouldn't have realized i was there or not when he took his last breath........ahhh i dunno maybe he did.  I wasn't at the house either when my friend came to pick him because i just couldn't deal with it. I just knew i would selfishly stop him as he walked out the door to avoid MY pain not Bugsy's pain.

He passed peacefully and so this ends the journey of Bugsy's life but not his legacy.

I'm so sorry Lips - I know you must be hurting right now but by the sound of it, you have done the best thing for your Bugsy.

Stay strong and I'm thinking of you. xx 

Really sad to hear that Lips. That was one difficult decision that just needed to be made.

Was thinking about the little guy today and ran across this post. So sad and I miss him. I love this....

Hahaha. I thought I was going to find a new casino called BUGSY CASINO

There should be! But unfortunately, knowing that dog, no one would ever win.

Hahaha