Marking Challenge

[Uschi]

Okay, we bit the bullet and adopted a very handsome older Dachshund from local animal control last Friday. Now, it seems we're dealing with a "marking" issue... I've had male dogs before, but never had a problem with them marking anything. Our new boy, Kaze, has so far marked a few moving boxes, my stereo [his opinion of my musical tastes? *laugh*] and my hubby's den door, which did not please the hubby at all as that is HIS space. (Hubby joked about peeing on the door himself to get the point across. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm13.gif" border=0> )

So the question is: how do I curtail this marking behavior? I've got spray bottles filled with Nature's Miracle to clean up the spots, but it would be SO much easier if they didn't happen in the first place. How do I get him to figure out this is unacceptable bahavior? (He reacts limitedly to "No!", so I dunno if he's ever been trained even basic manners...)

Part of me wonders if it will go away over time once he feels more comfortable here and gets his 'place' in the heirarchy figured out. However, I'd like to handle the issue before then if at all possible...

Any suggestions?

--Jada, Ripley & (now) Kaze <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm31.gif" border=0>

[FlaDoxieResq]

Okay, we bit the bullet and adopted a very handsome older Dachshund from local animal control last Friday. Now, it seems we're dealing with a "marking" issue
*****************
First off, Congradulations on your new boy,
so glad you got a pup from a shelter and saved a life versus going to a pet store. I am guessing he is nuetered by now, if not get him done ASAP, it may help with the marking some though it may take a while. Being an older dog its going to be harder to stop him than if he were a puppy. However it is possible. Nuetering is a big first step though. Sometimes it is a matter of "new home" gotta mark my new territory, and it might wear off or at least get managable. The first week or so is always the hardest. I have had now 58 foster dogs thru my house, many of them males, newly nuetered, so I can truly sympathise with you. Constant vigilance for a while, a squirt bottle for "long distance" help is a plus. watch him and as soon as you see the leg start to go up, a loud "no" accompanyed by a squirt and a trip outside will stop him in action.
Its a learning process and can be done. Something we use too, and it is available on our website(www.drfl.org) is a belly band, which is for male dogs, it is a strapped on band with a pocket for a feminine napkin. the dog hikes and of course it all goes into the napkin, sounds silly but they work well and save the furniture.
Janet
Dachshund Rescue of Florida

... I've had male dogs before, but never had a problem with them marking anything. Our new boy, Kaze, has so far marked a few moving boxes, my stereo [his opinion of my musical tastes? *laugh*] and my hubby's den door, which did not please the hubby at all as that is HIS space. (Hubby joked about peeing on the door himself to get the point across. )
So the question is: how do I curtail this marking behavior? I've got spray bottles filled with Nature's Miracle to clean up the spots, but it would be SO much easier if they didn't happen in the first place. How do I get him to figure out this is unacceptable bahavior? (He reacts limitedly to "No!", so I dunno if he's ever been trained even basic manners...)

Part of me wonders if it will go away over time once he feels more comfortable here and gets his 'place' in the heirarchy figured out. However, I'd like to handle the issue before then if at all possible...

[Mandy]

As always, Janet gave great advice!

If he is only reacting a little to a loud, low-pitched "NO!", then you might want to add something else as an attention getter - maybe a soda can with pennies in it..something loud which gets his attention.

If he isn't neutered, definitely get that done ASAP. And dogs often do some marking when they first come into a home....even when they are potty trained. They are in a new place with new smells...nothing smells familiar...nothing is "theirs"...so they try to make it a little more of their own.

Since you really don't know his history, I suggest you start with basics as far as potty training and command training goes. Pretend he is a puppy and do everything that you would do with a puppy. Being older, he will most likely learn much more quickly. I have also found that rescues are much more eager to please as they tend to be grateful. So a little praise will go a long way. The praise that you would use with a puppy means so much more to a rescue dog.

Good luck and feel free to post any other questions. We have a lot of great people here and a lot of experienced rescuers. keep us posted! I love the seniors!