I have a 3 yr old welsh springer spaniel and a 8 yr old GSD, both not neutered as i show the welshie. I have had my welshie since he was 8 weeks old and always taught him that no means no and he understands this. But, he insists on marking my sofa and bed where i sit when i leave him to go out or to work. He never marks in front of us. When i come home and tell him off, he growls at me, walks slowly and has his tail raised. I have tried ignoring him when he does this behaviour, but it does not bother him, i have reprimanded him, but again it doesn't bother him, he just growls more. How can i stop him marking, when telling him off does no good? He knows that he must relive himself outside. The GSD is very submissive and we have never had any problems with him and he is happy being bottom of the pack. I am getting VERY distressed at this, it is causing problems between me and my partner as he wants me to get rid of the dog and i want to sort his problems out and keep him, when he is a good boy he is a joy to be with, but i cannot carry on with the marking and the growling.

Hi,
I think the best thing you can do is put him in a safe place when you have to go out - the kitchen, utility room, or maybe a crate. Somewhere so he physically cannot get to the places where he marks.

These places will need a thorough cleaning with either a solution of biological washing powder or a proprietory scent-remover that you can get in petshops. Some household cleaning products leave a scent that, to a dog, is similar to wee and needs covering up.....

If he never marks in front of you, why do you tell him off when you come home?

His reaxction for you telling him off for nothing (as he has no way of knowing that the weeing is the issue)is undersatandable. Welsh males are usually not particularly submissive, and he is telling you in no uncertain terms that he thinks your being unreasonable.

As he sees it you come home and have a go at him, and he in return gets a cob on! You cannot tell him off for the marking unless you catch him doing it. You would be best to keep him to an area with no sofgt furnishings or curtains, or in a crate (assuming the length of time isn't excessive. Teritorial marking is a natural behaviour, and he must learn that it is inappropriate in the house, and this he can only do if you catch him and tell him off.

Thorough cleaning with a prioduct that does not contain amoniaaa, and that has a neutral smel is best. Otherwise to him he will want to mark over this other smell, as males do on walks. Alsop how can you be sure which male is doing the marking?

Keep him kenneled when u are not home (ground him). When u are home keep him on a leash so every where u go so does he, do not allow him free run, and treat him like a puppy again (basically rehouse train him). When u cannot watch him kennel him. If u catch him in the act spray him with water (try to do this without him seeing it, the idea is for him to associate leg lifting with getting wet very unpleasent for him). Clean the area real good. Also feeding him/or/and putting his bed, toys in his favorite marking area also helps.

Good luck and hope this helps some :)

ttfn :)