Peeing on x mas tree and garbage

[Triptych Trinary's mom]

My dog is well house trained he will wait a long time before I take him outside. However he has been peeing on our trash can if I hide it he doesn't go inside. But now he is peeing on the christmas tree. I understand his logic but what can I do.I yell at him and he wags his tail and licks me if I rattle coins in a can he barks and if I tap him with a newspaper he thinks it's a game. What can i do.

[Mark]

Hi again TTm and Welcome to the Board,

Try a spray bottle or water pistol, filled with water. When he misbehaves (you must catch him in the act) squirt him in the face. As he is being squirted give a command like "Don't Pee" (the command "no" should be reserved for aggressive correction). If he is not neutered he is probably marking any of his territory that smells with his own scent and is instinct. He must, however, know and respect that you are the Alpha, not him.

I've tried the coins in a can and it didn't work. Hitting the dog with a newspaper, IMHO, will never work.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you do,

Mark

[Krista]

I don't have much time, but you are getting some good advice. Clean things thoroughly too after an accident.

I do not use NO for agression, I use NO if I see them about to do something I don't want them to. Like take something or go potty inside.

I have not had any agression problems, but If I did, I think NO would still work, since they have already learned it. If a separate command for agression is needed, then why not just choose another word like "BAD" if you already use the command NO. I don't think suddenly reserving NO for agression will help things if you have been using it all along. Just my two cents...

[Mark]

Good point Krista,

It doesn't really matter what word is reserved for agression. I stand corrected. And especially where there is no aggression . . . it doesn't matter.

The reason I reserve "a" word is that when they hear it . . . they know the severity of whatever they're doing and that they will lose. It works very well for us, but typically I only ever need to use it with Top Spin, who recently fancies himself the Alpha in my place and has been confrontational (he is coming of age). Just last night he was about to get in to it (big time) with one of the little Dachsies (Masse) . . . I said NO, firmly and he desisted immediately and went to his blanket in front of the fire. It was a very tense moment and I think he would (and certainly could) have done serious damage to Masse. On the other hand . . . I don't remember the last time I used the word NO to the Dachsies.

Anyway, I am sure that different packs can & do use different rules & methods. This is just what works for me . . . and if it works for someone else, then I'm glad I spoke up.

Mark

[Dolly's Mom]

Hmmmm! I'm taking this all in, as Maddie is continuing in her pee bucket ways. Dolly is due for shots and I'm going to take the Madders in too and have her checked AGAIN for a bladder infection. We have "whoopses" every day now. Last night, I should have used that spray bottle as she looked at me and squatted on the upstairs carpet. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm4.gif" border=0> We only have carpet in our hallway and stairs and she's found it. Been using Orange Glo products (oxyclean and their carpet spotter) to clean it up. It works well, but I shouldn't HAVE to clean up after her. She KNOWS better. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm10.gif" border=0>

Sandi

[Mark]

Hi Sandi,

Sometimes ya gotta be really quick on the draw when they have that, "I'm gonna pee right here in front of you" L@@K. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif