Dog marking in the house. HELP !!!

[rocky999]

We have a small 16 month old male dog who has started to mark in the house. Sometimes he actually pees, other times it is just the motion of lifting his leg. I always spray the area with a strong disinfectant afterwards, in the hope of masking his smell to him.

We have tried making a loud "NO" noise, shaking a tin, using a water pistol, some spray stuff from the pet shop which was rubbish,

I even heard about cutting up lemons and placing them near his favourite spots, but he just picks them up and plays with them. He has access to the outside all the time,(and he will go out to pee) isn't left on his own at all, and doesn't have free run of the house. He is also walked twic e a day.

We don't want to have him neutered.

Any suggestions thank you.

[ENGINEER1973]

Try putting news paper down everywhere and simply block off areas that are important,

hope this helps :)

[drgnrdr]

how long has this been going on? Why don't you want him neutured? is he champion in shows or conformation class you'll be putting him in? Is he a rare breed? Can't handle medical procedure? These are the only reasons not to have him neutered. If he started it when he was 5-6 months old, it is becoming habit, the reason he doesn't pee sometimes is because he is empty at that moment. He doesn't see you as alpha, and he is telling any available female he is ready and any male he has claimed area. Once he marks he goes back and replenishes his smell when he smells that it is getting weaker. Covering it doesn't do any good, you need to remove it, with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle. You have to teach him it is not acceptable to do this in YOUR territory. I can't put a complete answer on here to help you...go to
http://orangedog.forumup.com/index.php?mforum= orangedog
go to "general Advice" and read "Nothing in life is free", that is a start and then go to Behavior and read Potty training this will give you tips. You say he isn't left on his own and doesn't have free run then how is he taking the 5 seconds to: stop, smell, get in position and squat or lift his leg and pee? Someone is not watching..if you got a dog YOU know is doing this then he needs constant watching, don't take your eyes off him, so you can stop it in the act and take him out IMMEADIATELY, this is what you have to do. Read the advice on the website, and ask questions if you'd like.

[rocky999]

Thanks for the suggestions both of you.

[GypsyGSD]

Does the disenfectant you use contain armonia as this will draw him back to the same spots,also try not to react to him doing this in the house as any reaction is welcomed from a dog by the owner, ignore him dont speak but quietly take him outside and give a command to go i say be quick ,the key is dogs learn by assoceation so plenty of praise outside nothing inside it dosent take dogs long to earn praise and rewards,i have 2 gsds and a border collie all are trained to go to loo on command this way i can traval any where and not worry to much about them holding themselves also if i take them to local parks i can relax as they have been before we go out i say my dogs my mess my garden

[rocky999]

will give all the ideas a try, thank you very much.

[deemartin]

You can buy special cleaners that have enzymes in them that remove the amonia and a solution of biological washing powder works in a similar way, both need rinsing out with clear water afterwards. We had a JRT that did this all his life despite being neutered, it was different spots but usually the same type of place, edge of furniture or doorways. Hope you solve your problem we never did- still loved him to bits though!

[danapie]

should have got em neutered! neutering is good for dogs! cuts back on ALOT of health problems

[drgnrdr]

Yes neutering usually helps, but your just taking the "drive" away. You're still left with the habit. Training lets them know it's not acceptable. If your willing to live with them being boss and marking everything, to each their own.