My name is Tater Tot!

UPDATE: 11/13/2014

Tater (Tot) is a 4 year old, 10 pound, Yorkie boy now being fostered in Clearwater, FL. He has had a busy couple of years! Tater was surrendered by his original owner in 2012 because he started going backwards on his housetraining and escaping from the yard. He was welcomed into UYR and adopted fairly quickly. One year later, Tater was returned. His adoptive family said he escaped from their home up to 6 times a week. He was urinating inside often and "destroying their home" when they were away. Just wait... there is more to his story.

Tater spent the next 9 months in his first foster home being worked up by the vet for his excessive water intake and urinating. Tater seems obsessed with water and he drinks and drinks and drinks, then of course, pees and pees and pees. The vet concluded, after lots of normal blood tests and scans, that Tater's problem is psychological. His first foster home had many other dogs and Tater is so insecure, he didn't know where he fit in, yet again. This poor boy even started fighting with one of the other dogs, so he had to find a new home that was safer for him and had a bit more time to help him find his place in this world.

NOW, he is in his second foster home with only his FM, FD and one other little dog who likes to sleep (A LOT). Tater has shown no sign of aggression. If anything, he was pathetically submissive initially. He would avoid all eye contact and collapse on his back onto his FM's lap, pleading for affection. Slowly, Tater is coming out of his shell and it is so awesome to watch his confidence grow. He is not interested in toys yet, or playing with the other dog. He generally pretends the other dog doesn't exist. He loves exploring the backyard and chasing off any bird, squirrel or lizard that is trying to trespass. We are not too sure Tater would do well in a home with cats. The poor kitties may get a little more exercise than they'd like from him trying to chase them out of his house. In between backyard patrol sessions, Tater just wants to lay on the couch and keep an eye on his family.

Onto his urinating issues... Tater is still in LOVE with water, but he is starting to leave some in the bowl on occasion as opposed to consuming every possible drop until his belly is bloated. We offer water on a schedule so he always knows more is coming but still keeping him from over-consuming. He is great about going potty outside until his people leave the house. If someone is home, he will alert you to his need to go into the yard, or he will wait until the scheduled (and frequent) outing. Tater has significant separation anxiety that makes him frantic when he is left at home. He will run around in a fit and urinate out of stress and fear. One recent example: FM left to run an errand with the other dog while Tater and FD stayed home. FD walked out to his car to grab a book and when he returned 30 seconds later, scared Tater was standing in the front room in a giant puddle of pee. The front door was not even fully closed. Confining Tater would only make the situation worse as he would injure himself on any crate while desperately trying to escape. His teeth show signs of wear and flattening from his life of stressed behavior. The original vet recently started him on a low dose anti-anxiety to hopefully help Tater handle his fears and lessen the frantic behavior and urinating. The medication may help him learn in time, but this may also be an issue Tater will struggle with his whole life. Any potential family for him needs to be okay with the possibility that they will be cleaning up some puddles after running an errand. Tater knows where he is supposed to go, so it is not a training issue. He is very smart, urinating is simply the behavior he has learned in response to anxiety. It has been such an active behavior for so long, it may be something he will never grow out of in spite of a very loving and patient family. We do not want anyone to think this is temporary, or be overly confident in their ability to "re-train" him and then abandon this poor boy again when their expectations are not met. Like mentioned before, Tater knows the rules, he just cannot control his stress. Any kind of punishment would be adding fuel to his fearful fire.

Tater needs a home with someone keeping him company all day. He is simply too scared to be left alone and that fear brings out all of his bad habits. He also needs a fenced backyard or someone who can take him on a walk at least 3-4 times a day. The fenced backyard has been working very well in his foster home. FM or FD always stays outside with Tater while he is exploring and doing his business so he knows he is still not alone. If Tater was left outside by himself, he may find a way, or dig a way, out of his yard. When he has company, he is happy to do his business and come lay right next to your chair and soak up your companionship. You'd really never know he was so anxious when you are with him. He is one of the calmest pups when he has company and he quietly keeps to himself.

Due to the lack of consistent structure though his life, I think Tater is simply needing a constant companion to show him that there is nothing to worry about and he will always have someone on his side. Tater is so afraid of being alone in this world and has unfortunately had the experiences to validate his fear. Let's change his future and show him he will never have to be afraid and alone again. Tater may be a little needy at times, but all he wants is to share a room with you (every minute of every day).