No doubt this has been asked before but the forum is massive.
We have 2 male Bichon Frise [age 18months and 4 years] and have recently had them both castrated to stop the territorial rivalry [which was understandable] and some strange behavious after a bath [which wasn't!]. Prior to and since having them castrated they both [we think it is both??] became a nuisance weeing and soiling in the house ~ even immediately next to the 'bed' they sleep on so it is not unusual for thier bedding to be soiled.

They are both adorable dogs but we are losing our hair over it as it is making the whole house smell. We both work so the dogs are alone indoors during the day but even at weekend [and despite plenty of time out], the problem persists. Neither of them is particularly obedient [we never really trained them in any way].

We know they are only doing a natural thing and the solution must be in something we are doing or not doing.

HELP!!!!!

you just need to go back to basics with the housetraining which will be hard if you're at work all day

Is there anyway you or someone else can pop in every few hours to let them out and then the frequency can gradually be reduced as the dogs get the hang of it again!
(might be a good idea to consider paying someone for a few weeks)

Are they left all day?? because thats a long time for a dog to hold it in!!

Hi Darryl and welcome to the forum.

Have you had them to the vets to make sure that everything is okay with them first of all? If everything is okay ..then you may need to take some holiday from work and try the following:

The main thing to do is to teach the pair of them that outside is good! It is basic house training ..you need to take them outside and give them a command (we use Hurry up ) ...stay out there until they have done the business and then treat and praise like mad. You need to be doing this every hour until it sinks in! Don't tell them off when they have an accident ..but masses of praise when they perform in the correct place.

Eventually it will sink in that they need to be *going* outisde and they will hold it until you come home.

Melody :)

I'm a bit puzzled as to why you had them BOTH castrated? Unwanted behaviour between two dogs is normally a result of two dogs being too close in rank - castrating both of them does nothing to increase the difference (which is what decreases the territorial behaviour, as one dog automatically outranks the other and doesn't have to show it.........) Now they are still very similar they are still having to show each other how important they feel - and one or both of them is marking territorially....... Too late to get one 'uncastrated' though :(

Some basic training may help them to appreciate there is a structure in their lives, as dogs tend to thrive on this. You also need to make sure niether of them has any health problems, and that you clean any mess away (using a biological soap powder solution is the best way, then clean down with white spirit)

It might be worth giving them separate beds (maybe in crates placed immediately next to each other, for example) so that you can discover which one is messing, or if indeed it is both.

As Digger says, it is unusual to castrate both dogs in this situation - normally you would castrate only the lower-ranking one to lower him still further and then there is generally little need for disputes. However, what's done is done, but if you can discover which dog is doing it, an experienced behaviourist would be able to tell you which one to put onto testosterone replacement to get their ranking suitably 'uneven' again.

As you castrated both they are in the same state as they were before, but it now seems that both or one has decided to behave as puppies, if they can't dominate they will summit. Think the best way would be to treat them as such and start again from scratch. May be putting them in different rooms to rest and sleep would help they would not find the need to feel insecure and worried about the presents of the other, and you would know if one or both are effected. Before you do anything, check with your vet that they are both in good health.

Thank you all for your prompt and thorough advice. It seems we were ill-advised by our vet to have them both castrated, but it is done now and we must live with that.

We have recently fitted a dog flap to the door so whilst they are in during the day, they have the run of a fair sized garden, which seems to have helped [3 dry days and nights...........fingers crossed].

We understand that being 'locked-in' all day is not ideal for them but we are both semi-retiring at the end of this years so we will be spending a lot more time with them.

Thanks for your help.

Darryl & Diane