I have rehabilitated several agressive dogs. The one I have now was so dog aggressive, we let him pick his pack mate from a shelter. Molly was the sorriest, most unkempt(the shelter could not keep her clean), poorest health dog I have seen in a long time. It was painful to pet her because of the bones sticking out. Against my better judgement, since Max actually wagged his tail instead of growling and hackling like he did with the other choices, we adopted her---spending $125 in the process. Boy, did I ever get an education! She had no self esteem, was scared of almost everyone and anything in the house and had terrible digestive problems. Now, we are empty nesters and I am retired, so we have time and situation to try to rehabilitate her. I would not be surprised if anyone returned a dog like Molly. No aggression, in fact, exactly the opposite. Took me three months to get her to walk on a leash most of the time with out locking up. Found a diet that agrees with her and a way to exercise her(whippet mix and needs a LOT of running). Would most people want a dog like her. No way. Takes a person/family willing to do unusual things to help a dog like her. After a year and a half, she is much better, but far from a 'comfortable' dog. Her natural fears get in the way all the time. But, I now have a bond with her, and Max absolutely loves her. I even took her back to the pound where we got her---the staff could not believe the change. Most people want a pet, not a rehab job. Taking a dog back is not shameful if you have tried your best.

Okay, good information. And Kudos to you for adopting and what a regal dog !!! My first concern would be a physical problem and the vet NEEDS to check out your dogs back and back end to make certain there is nothing wrong physically. Nerve problems in the back can make it so your dog has NO IDEA of when it is time to go. You wrote: "~ We never yell or hit him when he has an accident. We just show him and tell him, "NO . . . bad dog! Kennel!" Pick up the poop and take it and him to the kennel where we put it down and say, "Kennel . . . good dog, kennel" We then meticulously clean the rug using a good quality dog accident cleaner & deodorizer. " This connect negativity with bathroom works and you should really stop doing it. THIS "Ronin has an accident perhaps once or twice a week, although never peeing. All the other times, we/I just take him out to the kennel and lock him in until he goes, when we let him right back in, praising him, "Good dog, kennel!"." Is also not a good idea. Next I would call the foster person and ask if they had the same problem. If all that turns out to be normal and this is a new behavioral problem I suggest a couple of things - First you have had the dog 3 weeks and he is going through a period of transition - so you are bound to have something come up. You wrote that he is okay with other dogs and people and he gets kennelled on a rgular basis. All okay *BUT* you have failed to write ANYTHING about his daily walking routine!!! This dog should be taken out on a leash walk at least 3 times a day. For at least 15 minutes a day. NO LESS. Im not tqlaking just a quickie around the block where the dog sniffs a couple of bushes. Im talking find a good fire road or an area where your dog can really get in a good pant. DONT let him stop and sniff the bushes or rocks or anything else JUST a good walk at a good clip. Just when you are heading back to the car - let your dog stop and sniff the bushes. Hopefully the regualr walks will help alot - they usually do. Be careful not to go to the same place for his walks. I suspect your new charge is bored, and not stimulated enough. But that is just based on what you wrote....When your dog does do its duty. It is important to first give your dog a command to poop - it should be unemotional. Just a fact - go make a meadow muffin....when the dog does, praise him highly. As if he has just brought you a bag with a thousand dollars in it. If your dog likes privacy (mine does) just make certain you bring a longer leash so he can hide behind a bush or tree for his duties. Another part of the training is to take his present and take it outside to a place where you will walk your dog daily. Be certain to stop and let him sniff his stuff, give the unemotional command and praise him....good luck - let us know how it goes.

Now I'm angry! I went to meet Elmer at lunch ... he was in the lobby with a volunteer who was about to take him for a walk. We went into a meeting room instead and got to spend some time with him. He was a wonderful dog ... sweet, calm, loving, just wanted to be petted. So I went out to speak to the person at the window and told him I had put in an application for Elmer yesterday, and had come to meet him today. Another woman farther down asked my name, and when I told her she said she had just left me 2 messages and they had approved my application, and wanted me to adopt Elmer. I was thrilled. We talked about when they were open and how Saturday was a zoo, so i told her I would take the rest of the afternoon off of work and go home and get Lily and bring her back. That it would take me a couple of hours, but I would be back. She said great, he would be there for me. So I go back to work, tell them I'm taking the afternoon off, drive 40 minutes home ... get changed, take Lily out, get back in the truck with Lily and head back into the city. Arrive at the Buffalo City Animal Shelter 1.5 hours after I had first left. I walk to the counter and the same guy that was there and listening to our conversation earlier was at the counter. I said I'm back to do a meet and greet with Elmer, I brought my Lily to meet him. He says, he's gone. I said, excuse me? I told her, the woman at the other window I would be back and she said he was mine. That woman said, Oh good, you're back for Elmer ... they guy told her, he's gone ... she said, no, he can't be gone ... they all then disappear into the "Directors" office. Turns out, the Director wanted me to adopt him but didn't know I had shown up or responded to their phone call. So she went and adopted him out, within that 1.5 hours, to someone else. The other woman was flabergasted and I was pissed. Still am ... amazing amount of non-communication. And the guy at the counter was there during all the discussions, but obviously didn't say anything. The Director wouldn't even come out of the office and apologize ... I got a lame "sorry" from the guy. Can you tell I am still so angry? He was such a great dog, exactly the big furry, calm, mushy dog I'd been looking for. I'm giving up for a while ... too many other things going on in my life to keep dealing with these emotional ups and downs at the moment.

I have two thunder shy dogs. Actually, they both begin to tense when the barometer starts down. I have worked with them by doing fun things when they become agitated. Toy play, Speaking happily and laughing when thunder booms. Took months, but they began to feel my lack of agitation and how calm I was---and they became slowly less agitated. Make him a bed beside yours. Molly(our female rescue) was more calm in a wire kennel beside our bed---with an old sleeping bag on the top to make a cave. We just left the door open. She still uses that 'cave' on occasion. Ignore his unwanted behavior. If he shivers in fear, get toys out. Do fun things, speak happily--(be happy, they pick up on that). Scratch where ever they like scratching. Do NOT feel sorry for them---or allow that emotion to exist. By not allowing unwanted behavior, you make them practice wanted behavior---which makes them a much happier, more balanced dog.