Marking On Owners

[Rusky]

I took a dog in who was piddling himself in rollover, which is why he was sent to the vet to be PTS. He piddled on everything, everywhere but mostly in a submissive roll over. He still sometimes pees with excitement ( like when I returned last week from a trip OS) in pure excitement but it is so rare now as to be of no consequence.

I wouldn't allow any loud voices, those and excited voices we increased very gradually. I taught him pee on command in the pee place.

He had just been scared, he piddled and was shouted at so he had piddled more and more to show his submission but his owners didn't get it and beat him.

I know the situation is slightly different but Mr Guinness did not ever lift his leg but would pee next to new people ( in the big wide world) for a week or so. I fell in love with him and adopted him. I still jokingly call him Mr piddle pot but honestly calm and clear instructions so that he understood what was wanted of him plus a lot of work with lots of socialisation has made him a happy very confident little man. The fear piddling rollover stopped almost immediately he came to me,well in our home...new situations did take a little longer, the piddling in the wrong spot was fixed in a short time by using new puppy training.

I am sure the dog you are talking about in this thread just wants to do the right thing and needs some guidance.

I actually do get your first post, the throw to the "get a behaviourist" can drive me nuts sometimes as I am sure people are just looking to talk things out. To look for ideas and sometimes just a shoulder to lean on.

I live in WA...there is actually just one real behaviourist, there are many who would like to call themselves one. I often think from some of the people I speak to that these "behaviourists" have never studied any animal behaviour in their lives. example...a dog jumping an 8 foot fence, went to behaviourist, give some pills, dog still jumping, taken to vet for green dream, vet nurse called me to see if any rescue groups might be able to help.

ummm what about making a secure run or overhang, leaving some toys, some digging pits, some excercise and much more. The dog is still happily living with his mum and I confess was the first time I considered suggesting an electric fence system/collar. A bit of work in the garden and a bit of work to stimulate his mind and body in play and tricks has fixed the problem. Also thanks to whoever gave me the photos on here for that particular fence overhang solution

[poodlefan]

I agree with Vickie.

The first thing I'd recommend is that the owner carefully catalogue the situations when this occurs. All of them, and every single time for a week.

Establishing the pattern of behaviour is the first step in figuring out why it occurs.

Is the dog marking because it's within range of its owners or for other reasons? Documenting the behaviour will help.

Is this an inside dog?

Edited March 31, 2009 by poodlefan

[Erny]

I actually do get your first post, the throw to the "get a behaviourist" can drive me nuts sometimes as I am sure people are just looking to talk things out. To look for ideas and sometimes just a shoulder to lean on.

I live in WA...there is actually just one real behaviourist, there are many who would like to call themselves one. I often think from some of the people I speak to that these "behaviourists" have never studied any animal behaviour in their lives. example...a dog jumping an 8 foot fence, went to behaviourist, give some pills, dog still jumping, taken to vet for green dream, vet nurse called me to see if any rescue groups might be able to help.

Ok - although I think the above is a bit harsh given the amount of help that is given by trainer/behaviourists in their own time to many people on this board. However, if not getting a behaviourist in to assist is what the person wants, yet wants good advice or opinion, then the least should be that a true picture of what is occurring should be described in as best detail as possible. Granted - some people don't know what detail to give. But some descriptions are sorely and unnecessarily lacking.

I'm often helping people out on this forum, but it can be just as frustrating if not more so when obvious detail is omitted from the outset.

Sorry ..... maybe I'm just over-tired .

Edited March 31, 2009 by Erny

[neatz]

This probably doesn't help but my two boys did it to me when my bitch came into season.

I didn't even realise the first time it happened and then I kept an eye out the next time and caught my boy try it. (whilst peeing on command and outside for a toilet break and attached to lead, I wasn't paying attention) I told the bugger off the next time he tried because I was pre-empting him cocking his leg. Then later when I went to toilet the other male he tried to do the same thing. It hasn't happened since the bitch in heat thing.

[MolassesLass]

I wonder if (whatever the initial cause) it has now just become a habit?

Based on your information, I think I would probably try to make a list of when he lifts his leg inappropriately. Then go about recreating each of those situations. So if he does it for a pat...build it up until you can give him a really big exciting pat. It's probably not too hard to stop him lifting his leg while you are doing each thing, just by placing your hand in the right spot & rewarding for not lifting the leg. In other words, force/encourage him to form a new habit.

Being a habit is something I hadn't considered, interesting, thanks.

Is this a "real" situation? From the opinions/advice/tips you gain from here, are you applying (or do you intend to apply) them to a "real" situation by way of giving advice to someone in particular? Or is it a general/theoretical question? Regardless, you need to set the scene a bit more accurately. This is why, in the course of my consultations, I ask questions of the owners. I can't rely on the owners being able to depict the details of the picture for me, nor do I expect them to. I need to know what the situation is before I can give an opinion or give advice. I pair those questions with my own observations as well, because as you see here, the picture you at first paint isn't necessarily the same picture others see.

There is a real dog with the described behaviour, the owners were advised before the first post was made. Any new knowledge that was gained would have been considered for future situations.

For instance, I've already learnt that other people think a dog marking and a dog marking when being harnessed are two very different situations.

Is this an inside dog?

Yes, is inside when owners are home. He's never pee'd inside other than in submission/excitement and now the marking.

Thanks to all who replied.

Edited April 1, 2009 by molasseslass