Almost 6 year old urine marking

[s_wiss13]

Hi,

Maxx, my neutered, almost 6 year old is urine marking.  I am sure it is due to the stress of having a new puppy in the house.  Jumpshot has been with us for 3 1/2 weeks.  Maxx is not a huge fan but mostly tolerating.  The puppy has figured out not to mess with him too much but really wants to be his friend.  I have made sure to give plenty of quite opportunities for all dogs.  

I read the article on Urine Marking and I think this is a combination between Territory and Stress.  He has mostly marked the area where the puppy spends most of his play time.  It happens to be in my room and it's been on the corner of my bed/comforter, and today, a box that I had used as a snuffle type toy for feeding Jumpshot.  So twice in the 3 1/2 weeks. 

I'm hoping that this gets better with time and I will try to keep the area closed off when I can't monitor.  Maxx is definitely a marker on walks.  I am able to stop this by walking faster and using a gentle leader.  Last fall, even before the puppy, I was getting ready to leave and we were outside in the yard, and he peed right on my leg and foot.  He's peed on my bag after I've returned a few times.

Any other tips?

 

Thanks,

Susan

 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hi there!

The puppy things he has marked, is it the first time he has had access to them? 

Have both these episodes started in these past days?

Any recent changes, like are they spending more time together lately?

Has the marking on walks increased since you had Jumpshot?

 

 

[s_wiss13]

 

The puppy things he has marked, is it the first time he has had access to them? 

I don't think it is the first time he has had access to them. He marked the corner of my bed but it was in the area where the puppy was and I had opened up the gate. So, in that case it was sort of the first time. 

 

Have both these episodes started in these past day?

No, the first time was over a week ago and then today. 

 

Any recent changes, like are they spending more time together lately?

No real changes in the amount of time spent together. 

 

Has the marking on walks increased since you had Jumpshot?

I would not say there is an increase during walks. 

 

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[Adrienne Farricelli]

Thanks for the extra details!

With this kind of urine marking, I agree with you that there is likely an element of anxiety, although we may need to factor in as well the possibility of him simply over marking areas that may smell like puppy pee (like maybe the puppy peed or stepped in pee and walked to an area, like the corner where the bed/comforter is and left traces of pee/pee smell).

I think you are already doing a good job management-wise! Here are some extra tips:

-Clean up Puppy Accidents Properly

If Jumpshot pees in the home, make sure to promptly clean it up using bacterial enzymatic odor eliminating products (like Nature's Miracle).

-Use a Black Light

Sometimes, pups may have accidents in places that we may not be aware of. This is more likely to happen if we get upset for them having accidents  in the home. Even if we don't get visibly upset, just acting frustrated when seeing the pup have a pee accident and cleaning up quickly can be enough to concern a sensitive puppy. I have found it helpful to whistle (or try to whistle!) or hum while cleaning up. 

To identify these previous accidents, you can use a black light. The black light used at night in a dark room will cause the urine stains to become fluorescent. It's pretty cool. Once you identify them, clean them up with your enzyme-based cleaner and test the black light again to ensure you cleaned up all traces. 

-Use management

Sounds like you are doing a great job with this already. Basically, prevent access to the areas your adult dog has shown a preference for marking in the past. Erect a baby gate or place bulky items to make the area inaccessible, especially when you cannot supervise. Once Maxx gets better, gradually allow him more freedom, but always actively supervising closely.

-Do not place any novel objects/puppy objects on floor until Maxx has gotten used to having them around the house and are more familiar. 

-Watch for Early "Pre-Mark Signs"

Quickly redirect Maxx if you notice any signs of him about to urine mark (sniffing intently a spot, intent to raise a leg). Recording his behavior when he is outdoors and marking and then watching it in slow-mo can give you hints on his pre-marking behavior so you can intervene at earliest sign and redirect him to going outdoors. I like to rush towards the door saying in a fun tone of voice "let's go outside!"

-Reduce Anxiety

If the marking is due to anxiety, help ease your dog's anxiety using calming aids such as Adaptil sprays and diffusers. Create positive associations with the puppy, by making great things happen (feed treats!) every time Maxx sees the puppy. 

-Establish Legit Marking Areas

Provide outdoor vertical objects (I like to use fake fire hydrants as pee posts) where you allow your dog to urine mark and praise and reward him for using those.

-Practice Walking By

Basically, before letting him free indoors, walk Maxx on a leash indoors around the commonly marked areas, and then take him outside prompting him to pee in the established legit marking areas, praising and rewarding for using them. 

What to do if you catch him in the act?

Ideally, you should intervene *before* your dog has raised his leg, by carefully watching his body language. So if you catch your dog urine marking, redirect him promptly by calling him away and taking him outside immediately, prompting him to urinate in the appropriate place (legit marking area if available). 

I hope this helps!

Happy Training!

[s_wiss13]

Thank you for all tbe great information. I will be sure to keep a close eye and praise him for going outside. I will also spend some more time making good things happen when the puppy is around!

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Sounds like a great plan! Keep us posted on how things go!

Best,

Adrienne