Male Marking his territory? - Page 1

Hey guys, One of my puppy people has a male of mine who is 1 year 9 months old. He has suddenly started marking his territory in the house. The owner and I both think that it is behavior related to a female in the home who just came out of season. He's probably just starting to exhibit the beginnings of stud dog behavior? The owner has not caught him in the act of marking in the house, but finds the evidence later. She's wondering what to do as he hasn't pottied in the house for a year or more. I figured this was the best way to get some advice and/or ideas about what to do to stop this and why he is doing it. We figure we pretty much know what to do, but it's always good to know if we are on the right track or not :) What would we do without this site?! It sure has helped us many many times and it is very much appreciated! Peggy Knighten Haus

Peggy, the young male is at the age where his hormones are still at full tilt. Once he has marked his areas of choice, it should stop. A bitch in heat tends to promote this behaviour. Every male that I ever owned did this at least once. Even mature males with the best house manners will mark upon entrance into a new home, even if but once. It just happened to us within one (1) day of being in the new house. Of course we did not catch him in the act, but the evidence was there. Oh well, boys will be boys! Bob-O

Hi Bob! Thank you for your quick reply. I just contacted the owner and she's going to be keeping an eye on this thread to see what everyone has to say. I told her I'm pretty much addicted to this website! LOL...she probably will be now too *grin* Peggy

Honestly I think I would go back to crate for a day or two, see if that does not "refresh" his memory that this is the den and does not need his "waste" about it.

No way Jose!! This person needs to set this dog up and CATCH him at it and then rock his world..... Remember, my house, my rules.. nobody marks anything that is mine!! These boys need to understand this is not appropriate!! I have had intact males and never ever had this happen in MY house!!

I have never had a dog "marking" his territory in my house. That is MY territory, not his. Dittos to EchoMeadows and DKiah. Stephen

I should add that in all of the years I have "caught" but one (1) male doing this, corrective action did apply, and he never did it again. Other males were very sneaky about this behaviour and did it behind my back. The best that I can tell they each did it but once. Dkiah, I do like the idea of setting up the dog for a bust. I have used this tactic before to correct other behaviours such as hopping and walking around on the counters and table, which usually involved me standing on a ladder, peeping through an open window and shouting the correction to a surprised dog. That one is easy to set up; I am not sure what it would take to catch a marker in action. Bob-O