Marking Success Stories?

[SquishiePugs]

Evidently Russell is determined to mark anywhere - not just indoors. We took him to the dog park over the weekend (he rarely potties in the fenced area) and he lifted his leg no less than 15 times. He couldn't even get a drop out toward the end!

Russell's recent marking has me so worried.. The poor guy can't leave our sight in the house anymore, and I think he's picking up on my nervous energy. Waiting for the belly bands that we ordered to arrive and have been keeping a super close eye on him in the meantime. I am so worried that this habit will progress and/or get worse. I guess I'm just hoping for some success stories... Has anyone been able to nip this problem in the bud by watching their pug/a couple weeks of belly bands? I hate feeling so nervous like this around him - I'm trying to remain calm about it, but the second he goes near a verticle object I'm suddenly on edge!

[Snifter]

I think you may be giving him the wrong messages if you are worried about him marking outside. That is where you WANT him to mark. Encourage him like anything, Treat him for marking a fence post. Whatever. As long as it is outside.

Inside, continue to watch him like a hawk. Both my boys mark like mad outside (they are entire) but I trust them completely in the house. I don't trust them 100% in someone else's house but I watch them carefully and they are generally ok.

[CountryPug]

I dont know if Russell is fixed or how old he is but, IMO he has to earn your trust, until then it's a belly band or staying right near you....on a leash if needed. Belly band or not, if you see him start to lift in the house, a quick aht aht and then take him outside. You need to catch him in the act, that's the only way to change his behavior. The belly band alone will not necessarily correct the behavior, but will keep him from peeing on stuff, you will still need to correct the behavior.

Most males and even a certain female dog I know, will mark outside and that is okay, but not in the house. With consistancy so far I have not met a dog I could not potty train.....knock on wood;) Best of luck!

[SquishiePugs]

Thanks to you both!! Russell has just turned 2 and was altered before he was fully 6 months. This marking behavior started out of nowhere last week (no recent household changes, etc). Thanks for the tips regarding outside - I'll continue to let him mark as he wishes!! I just need to know this is a passing phase that I can train out of him. I tend to worry, so thinking of my baby sprinkling all around the house is driving me nuts!

[CountryPug]

He's still young and sometimes they can conveniently forget they are not to potty in the house. I think if you are very consistant and stay on top of it, he will learn not to do it in the house.

[diesels.mom]

When we got Boo he marked inside - we watched him like mad and reinforced him peeing outside with treats. We also gave EVERYTHING a good washing to get rid of any scents that might make him mark. I think that's what did the trick (not to mention he didn't appreciate wearing a belly band).