marking in the house

[bjolly]

please help - we're having a problem with our new dog marking in the house. We think he's about a year old, he was a stray that we found running in our neighborhood. Our best guess is that he's a chow/golden retriever mix and he's a very sweet dog. He's housebroken, but every now and then (once every few days) he marks in the house. What can we do to discourage this??

We're using enzyme cleaner to clean up the spots and we're trying to keep a close eye on him, but what else can we do?

He's not neutered, and we're going to take care of that as soon as possible. will that help? is there anything else we can do?

 

[opokki]

Neutering stops or greatly reduces indoor marking in many(but not all) dogs so you may see improvement after he is neutered. In the meantime, you can put a belly band on him...its a doggy diaper made specifically for male dogs.

 

[Fran27]

As long as you keep using enzyme when you clean his markings, neutering should fix the problem.

 

[bjolly]

well, we got him neutered a week ago, and also got him a belly band. I'm having a hard time getting the belly band to work for some reason. I put it on securely, covering his penis, and an hour later I'll check and find the tip of his penis peeking out, free to pee.

I feel stupid because I must be doing something wrong. I've tried putting it on tighter but it doesn't help. it seems like it scrunches up as he moves around and the front edge works its way back a little.

am I an idiot? has anyone else had this problem?

 

[AmberwayGSD]

You are not a idiot.It is likely the belly band you bought is too big for the dog.Neutering should help with this if not,consider buying a smaller belly band for him.

 

[Doberluv]

I honestly don't think neutering at his age is going to stop this behavior. His hormones which came surging through his body at around 6 months have been influencing his brain patterns since. The best way to stop this is by letting him know that, NO, he does not own your house or your chairs or pay the bills. He's saying, "This is mine. This is mine. I've been here. I'm all that. Everyone see this? I am here, big as life." LOL.

So, if it were me, and I caught him lifting his leg (if he's truly marking and not having some incontinence problem), I'd tell him "NO!" And march him outside. This is now time to impliment some of the NILIF stuff. Let him know that you're the one who is taking care of things and he doesn't need to be such a big presence. Start making him earn a few of the things he likes and beef up some obedience training.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm

 

[bjolly]

thanks for the link, I'll check it out. It's definitely marking, not an incontinence problem. I know the neutering won't fix the problem on its own but I'm hoping it helps a little. At least it's made his urine a LOT less stinky, so that's something. The maker of the belly band suggested that he may be shifting it, and recommended putting another one partly overlapping it, so that it's harder for him to do. She offered to send me another one for just the cost of shipping, so I'm going to try that.

the funny thing is, he refuses to poop in our yard - have to take him for a 20 minute walk to get that to happen. (he's part chow and I've been told it's a chow thing. Oh well, forces me and him both to get a little daily exercise.) Won't poop within 100 feet of the house, but he'll pee right in the living room, LOL.

 

[bubbatd]

Marking can also be for the former owner to find him ...don't put him down for it.. it's natrual ....

 

[bjolly]

that's an interesting thought, bubbatd, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't want his old owner to find him. We believe he was abused - when we first found him he was terrified and he still cringes if you make a sudden move around him. He's intensely attached to me, pretty much won't let me out of his sight.

I'm hoping we can help the problem, between the neutering and some training. But if not, he'll just have to wear a belly band and we won't love him any less. : )