Pug won't stop cocking his leg indoors

[Figheldeanpug]

Can anything be done to stop our 3 year old male pug from cocking his leg inside the house? If he ever gets out of the kitchen he cocks his leg over sofas, beds, anywhere he can

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

The first thing I would consider is a belly band to stop anymore marking. The next thing is to clean the places he has marked thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner that will remove all traces of smell so he won't be drawn to mark there again. Then start over with housebreaking. I have even read where some people keep their Pugs leashed to them so they can't sneak away and mark again. Pugs really are smart and want to please us so with some patience and time you will have a companion who can be free in your home. Although, he may always have to wear a belly band if he proves he can't be trusted.

[LilyFayre]

If you’ve checked that he’s not got a urine infection and ensured that everything has been cleaned with a specialist pet odour removal product, then the most effective solution is to put a belly band on him when you let him out of the kitchen.
I use one with a disposable liner for my boy as he still can’t contain his excitement when visitors first arrive and he tends to ‘dribble’ over their feet! I think it’s best if they don’t have these on all the time permanently though and you do need to be careful to change the liner fairly promptly if it’s soiled to avoid causing him any skin irritations or infections.

My boy isn’t neutered and did go through a bit of phase of cocking his leg up things at around 18 months old as he matured into an adult, but after going back to basics with toilet training and wearing a belly band to avoid any accidents indoors for about a month or so he just stopped doing it. If your dog isn’t neutered you could consider having it done and it will work for some dogs, but there isn’t any guarantee it will stop him from cocking his leg indoors. Probably just as many neutered as intact dogs will spray up things indoors. Patient, kind, repetitive training is far more likely to be successful.

Good luck!

[Snifter]

I agree with Lu Ci and Ri Ki.

You should be able to break the habit but it could take a long time, especially if he has been doing it for a long time.

If this has only recently starting happening (i.e. he has been clean in the house pretty reliably after the age of one year but it has now started again) then he could have a urinary tract infection and it may be worth getting him checked out by the vet.

If he has not been neutered then neutering him might help - but if this habit has been going on for a long time then neutering will certainly not provide an immediate fix and much training will be needed.

[Wonka & Nilla]

Excellent advice above. I just wanted to say welcome to PugVillage.

[shaynapug]

Bellybands are great!!!! I agree with what everyone posted. The key to good housebreaking is always have the dog in sight.....so that you can correct the second he looks like he's gonna go. Also take him out at regular intervals and praise and give treats each time he goes! Many boys go 2 + times when they go outside! Praise and treat each time!!!!