I got a dog a few weeks ago from the pound. He is a foxy cross and a happy little fellow. Unfortunately he has had no training at all and has many bad habits. We have made a lot of progress with training but he is still being growled at for the things he isn't allowed to do (chewing hands, toileting inside, chewing, wandering). I am trying to balance it with plenty of praise when he does the right thing and cuddles.

I think he will be a good dog and has come a long way in a short time. However, he has obviously been beaten in his previous home and when I growl he will often sink to the ground and wee a bit. Sometimes he will do it even when I approach to let him off his chain. It makes me feel terrible that I am scarring him that much that he wets himself

He is about a year old. Is this something that will right itself in time with fair treatment or will he always be prone to doing it? I would like to be able to pick him up without getting my hand ****ed on.