We have a 3 year old Westie who insists on scenting in the house.  The door can be open for him to go outside but he still will scent indoors unless push outside.  He also scents in other peoples houses making it hard for us to take him with us.  As soon as he has done it he knows its wrong and cowers but he still insists on doing it.  I am due to have a baby shortly and really need to get this problem sorted does anyone have any suggestions?  We have asked our vet and he cannot find a medical problem with him.

Any suggestions would be gratefully recieved!

> As soon as he has done it he knows its wrong and cowers

Dogs don't cower because they have done something wrong - they do so because they are afraid of the reprisal used by the owners, despite being unlikely to associate the two.

It is unlikely to be a medical problem and more so a training problem.  It would help if you ensure any area where he has urinated is thoroughly washed down with bio washing powder mixed in hot water.  Follow cleaning by a wipe over the area with white spirit.  Don't use any products with bleaching agents in as these smell the same to a dog as the amonia in urine hence encourage re-marking in those areas.  For soiled carpets, ensure the underlay is cleaned too - the top surface alone is insufficient.

As to retraining him, ensure that he never has an actual "need" to urinate, i.e. that his bladder is empty.  Leave a long lead or line attached to his collar (only under supervision of course in case of accidents or injury to him) and if he shows any signs of sniffing or being about  to lift his leg  say "Ah, Ah" in a very firm tone and grab the line/lead and take him outside.  If you have never used a "command word" for him to toilet, introduce one now such as "busy" or "be quick".  Use the word or phrase everytime he eliminates outside and praise him for doing so.  With patience and 100% undivided attention to this behaviour it can be overturned quite quickly.    Regards, Teri :)

Bailey (also a westie) peed in everyones house once to mark it he doesn't now but i don't know if its because he's castrated. I used to hate taking him out because of it i have now got another male 14 weeks old and its the first time he has been upstairs pee'd and poo'd in every room doesn't bother now. (touch wood). I remember bailey done it to my mums brand new kitchen units she was well chuffed.