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dog urine marking

17 years ago

Recently, my son moved in with his 6 yr., neutered, mixed breed (rescue). The dog began marking, probably due to the presence of my 2 yr. old (also a mixed breed, rescue). Lo and behold, now both dogs have entered into a literal "pissing war," marking throughout my downstairs. Disciplining them does not seem to help - they seem oblivious to the fact that they are doing something wrong. Neither engaged in this behavior in the past. Both dogs are very lovable and more passive, vs. aggressive. They are also generally well behaved in other ways - will sit, stay, walk on leash, heel. They also get along well and play together frequently, and they get plenty of attention and exercise. In addition to these two dogs, I have a third - a corgi - who is more dominant, but is not marking (he's also neutered); he does tend to boss the other two around. I'm totally at my wit's end in terms of how to handle this and would appreciate any suggestions.

Comments (10)

  • 17 years ago

    All the dogs are neutered, right? Couldn't tell about the 2 year old dog.

    What kind of discipline are you doing?

  • 17 years ago

    Okay, the Corgi is apparently the boss of your house and not you....Im wondering just how much exercise these dogs are getting...How much leash walking is done? Do you let the dogs sniff at everything and anything? are they just ambling along or are they actually walking at a steady clip? Do you walk the same route everyday? Do they get to go to the dog park or go swimming at a local creek or lake or beach? Do you take them out on a fire road or for at least an hours walk????? These dogs are frustrated with the amount of time they are not stimulated and they need to get out more with more structure. More training more running!! Good luck.

  • 17 years ago

    All dogs are neutered.
    All three dogs are outside throughout the day at will - I have doggie doors - and I have a large yard for them to run in (which they do!). In addition, I run (about twice weekly) with the two that are doing the marking, with both on leashes. They are not allowed to stop and mark while I am running. The older dog has had obedience training in the past, and is excellent with heeling, staying, downing. The younger just fishished a basic level of training - I have been following up on my own to maintain and continue his training, but he continues to need reinforcement. Also - typically, someone is home with the dogs during the day, so they are not left to their own devices, and don't lack attention.

  • 17 years ago

    Unfortunately they are just being male dogs. And I do know that they are neutered. But it's kind of like when a male pees on a bush outside. Every male dog that comes by will leave his scent on the same bush. They are marking their territory, it's an animal thing.

    You are going to have to do some serious cleaning of the areas. If they smell it, they will automatically re wet the area. Even if you don't see it, they can smell it. You need something with an enzyme that neutralizes the odor.

    I also would either buy or construct some type of diaper/underwear that you could possibly velcro on them when they are in the house. You want something so if they pee it will run down their legs. Then I would contain both their movements. You are going to have to watch them like a puppy.

    I am not a fan of crate training. But if you are cooking dinner or something where you can't watch them, I would put them in a crate.

    And are you sure the corgi isn't joining in?

  • 17 years ago

    It would be helpful to know what "discipline" failed so we don't keep suggesting it.

  • 17 years ago

    One of the trainers I was working with suggested that I leash both dogs when I find a spot and bring them with me as I gather all cleaning tools. I then bring them to the "spot" and, while cleaning, bring them close to the spot and continue to say "no, bad." She recommended this to be followed up with hot pepper sauce in their mouths via a paper towel (bit harsh). I was then to immediately put the dogs outdoors. Anyway, this doesn't seem to be doing the job. I think the problem is that they really aren't doing this out of any malicious intent - just doing what comes naturally - so they are not making a connection. By the way, I am using a very good odor neutralizer to get rid of the scent.

  • 17 years ago

    Wow, that's the strangest training advice I've ever heard. I can't imagine how she expects the dogs to figure out what point you're trying to get across and the result would probably just be that they will become afraid of you.

    I have to agree with housefairy that this is just male dog behavior and it's more likely to occur with assertive breeds. I've had this problem with my minpin, but only if there is another male in the house and the rest of the time he's fine. Fortunately, I don't have any other males, but it makes it difficult for my son to visit with his male dog. My dog was neutered at five months of age and is now fourteen years old and still reacts to males the same way he always did.

    I doubt this is something that can be trained away and would put belly bands on them and crate them when you aren't home. This will also prevent their competitiveness from turning into a fight while no one is around to stop it. Of course, this will take away the convenience of the doggy door since you'll have to take the bands off for them to go out.

  • 17 years ago

    I don't think they are going to make the connection between the pepper sauce and the peeing. Also, dogs smell is so far superior to humans, that even though you don't smell something doesn't mean the scent is gone. They do make something that supposedly makes dogs stay away from bushes outdoors. However, I don't know if it works. Also the scent of the product may be so bad that you wouldn't want it in the house. So if you do buy some, try it outside on a piece of cardboard and see if you can live with the smell.

    You are going to have to catch them in the act. You then either throw a noisy can, slap your hands together, or even swat them in the butt with a rolled newspaper. You are not trying to hurt them, just startle them. With a stern (does not have to be loud, they can hear) "no, bad dog."

    Unfortunately, this is a hard thing to stop. That's why you are going to have to be diligent about watching them and keeping them contained.

  • 17 years ago

    Im not okay with the spot training....the dogs dont understand - especially the tobasco part - the dogs associate taste with urine??? That is just nuts. Okay Im going to go out on a limb here. While your dogs are inside, you will have to vigilant and the very second they go to the area - you should correct the behavior. Leashes on might be helpful. Other than that - I think doggie days care might be helpful for awhile - from your answers it seems that you are doing absolutely everything correctly. Just continue trying to catch them in the act and correct their behavior at the time. Good luck.

  • 17 years ago

    That you everyone for your helpful thoughts and advice. All good stuff, worth considering. This really is a tough one! One thing I am attempting is feeding the dogs in the areas where they have been marking, rotating their bowls around. I figure that perhaps they won't mark where they eat. Worth a try anyway!

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