Marking

[stan the man]

I have a friend who has a 6 year old Lab who has recently taken to marking every few yards. He is taken out and pees normally but then when on walks he keeps stopping to mark, after a while he appears to mark but has nothing left to mark with but continues to cock his leg. He is desexed and does not appear to have trouble peeing normally but it is the number of times he tries to dry mark that is worrying she thinks he may have an infection so is arranging a trip to the vet but he appears normal and happy and no signs of discomfort whilst peeing. There was one incident recently where he peed on her sons bed. Any ideas

[Erny]

It's a behaviour, not necessarily something to indicate a health issue. If your friend finds the stopping so frequently annoying, let her know she can take control of the walk - she doesn't have to stop every time her dog wants to. Just make sure she knows her dog has had the opportunity to empty his bladder in the early stage of the walk (even at the beginning) and let him stop each third of the walk (that's what I tend to do when I go the 12klm walk) or half way if the walk is considerably shorter.

[Bundyburger]

My boy has just started this too, complete with the back feet flicking... I'm now really choosy about when i let him stop, and he's slowly improving...

[persephone]

if this is a very recent change - then an infection could be the cause ... and bladder irritation may make him feel like still peeing even after he;s 'empty'

If he gets the all clear at his vet check then erny's advice is excellent - your FRIEND is in control of the walk ..and how often dog pees

[Erny]

if this is a very recent change - then an infection could be the cause ... and bladder irritation may make him feel like still peeing even after he;s 'empty'

If he gets the all clear at his vet check then erny's advice is excellent - your FRIEND is in control of the walk ..and how often dog pees

Thanks Perse - I didn't pick up on the "recent change" comment.