Can anyone shed light on why dogs mark in the house? We take Echo out 5 times a day - 6 am, 1130am, 1600, 1900 and 2200. He is an almost adult male ( hsi estimated ae is 18-24 months). I just caught him raising his leg on a door post the other day. It seems to be when someone goes out he marks that doorway, or when he's asked to leave a room, he marks the door. We just wipe up with bio powder solution and say nothing, but I wonder why he does it? If hes left we always leave a kong or a treat ball or similar to keep him amused.

They are, as you say, marking their territory.  Washing down with bio washing powder will help - but it really should be followed up with a spray of white spirit or white wine vinegar as this will help to break down the fatty acids which hold the scent to the object - if this isn't done the dog will be drawn back to the same place time and again as he recognises it as *his* scent place.

I'd be inclined to use some training techniques to prevent it happening and to break the cycle as well.  This shouldn't be too hard as you've already identified the occasions on which this happens, so whenever these things occur, make sure you keep an eye on him and disrupt his behaviour by perhaps clapping your hands, then when he looks at you, calling him to you and rewarding him.

I would think that there is still some sort of insecurity here - you've done wonders with him, in less than a month!

I believe that you said he was living as a stray before ending up in the Pound - quite probably, he is automaticially marking "safe" places.   Once he feels sufficiently safe, I would think that this behaviour would cease.   Are you intending on taking a holiday this year & is Big Eck going with you?   That might be sufficient time to break the habit - although I'm sure that if you use Digger's techniques as well, you would almost be there.

Margot

I have 3 rescue Labs at the moment, and the 1st thing the boy did when he came into my house was mark.  The only other time he has done it was yesterday, I took dogs to a show and was away a little long than expected.  When he came down from his bedroom, he went immediately to the same place and marked. I just cleaned with Bio powder and white wine vinegar. These are the only times he has done this.  I think not only is he marking his territory, but being a rescue in a strange place, he needs to make his mark to feel 'comfortable' in his new surroundings.

I take my hat off to you Lorelei, what you have achieved with him in such a short space of time is to be admired.

I think its a wee territory thing - copper never did this until my mum got a pup and then he lifted his leg a couple of times in her house  and then when they came to visit he started doing it in our house, but only on the door posts or on the bin.  When they both went out in the garden, copper followed the pup round and pee'd in exactly the same spots as the pup.

It has only ever been a quick "splash" and never a normal pee so I've just cleaned it up no bother.  I think its just a "this is my house" thing and I don't worry.  I'm sure Echo will stop once he's truly settled.

CG

Thanks for your replies, especially the white spirit/vinegar thing. No holidays planned, but if we did go away, Big Eck would be coming too. His car training needs a major boost to make this possible though. He is such a lovely dog and his dog walker says he's the best dog on her books :) Ill start whipping out a toy when someone leaves, I already drop his stuffed kong or ball when I leave and use a different coat for dog walking as going out "alone". Marking in house is OK by me as long as he comes when called outside :)

When we go on holiday abroad my Cairn goes on his holidays to an 'ANIMAL AUNT' but without fail on his return home he re marks the house 'indoors that is' for a few days until he settles back in and then it stops.
I have just accepted it as 'one of those things' he has to do. I just hope he hasn't felt too unsettled by us leaving him for a week or so though.
A

My mate's BC marks other dogs   

ha ha ha ha

Oh the big dog piddled in the wee dog's eye
The wee dog said "gorblimey"
I'm sorry son, big dog replied
I' didna ken ye were behind me!

:D  :D

Margot

:D :D :D :D :D

Hi Lorelei, Budmag here.
I hope you don't mind me bringing this up but i saw your post about Morse a few days ago. I don't visit the board much now and rarely look at 'rainbow bridge' threads cause i always get upset.
Anyway i read about Morse and was so shocked and upset. I hope time is proving a healer and i see you have a new 'friend'. My best wishes to you and your family.

Maggie and Buddy (he's 3yrs old today)
XX

Hi Maggie, time does fly. Thanks for your good wishes and I hope Buddy has learned to stay on the grooming table now :)