We have two dogs - a larger, older hound mix and a smaller, younger spitz type.

[hedgehog]

Both dogs are neutered males. We've had the hound since he was a puppy, and got the spitz from a rescue shelter several years ago.

The Problem: even though both dogs have full access at all times to an out door run, the spitz will mark inside the house if no one is around. He sleeps in our room, but will go downstairs at night to make his rounds. If we are away overnight, he marks more places. If anything is left on the floor - grocery bag, back pack, suitcase, etc, he'll mark that. Otherwise, it's table legs, chair legs and (unfortunately) the occasional book shelf.

Since he only does it when no one is looking, can anyone suggest a good way to make him stop?

[riderinthestorm]

1. Confine him! Will he crate? Close your bedroom door overnight so he stays with you

And doesn't have access to wander to mark.

Can you rig up the outdoor access so he can get into the garage (shelter and water) if you have to leave the house entirely?

That sucks!

[murielm99]

3. That worked for me.

Years ago, I had a male dog who had to be in the bedroom with me, with the door closed. No matter what else I did, there was one room he liked to mark.

[marzipanni]

2. I hope he doesn't pee on a power strip or electric outlet!

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/05/09/firefighters-dog-pees-on-electrical-outlet-starts-fire-inside-chaska-home/

http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=910637

On the other hand (or should I say leg?), dogs sometimes pee on electric fences, and and some guy tried peeing on an electric fly swatter- I'd bet they don't try that again!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+pees+on+electric+fence

[hedgehog]

4. As it happens - he was peeing on an outlet and we didn't realize it until the day

I heard a zap, a yelp and the sudden patter of little feet. The scorch mark on the wall told the story, and when my husband opened the outlet, we found the corrosion. That outlet was replaced with a covered water proof exterior outlet!

[hedgehog]

5. I think I may have found the answer -

I noticed the other day that he was getting patches of something akin to eczema/extreme dry skin on his back under all his fur.* Then I recalled - he pees in the house when his skin is itchy, and the way I keep his skin in good shape is to give him a fish oil capsule daily. Well, it's only been a couple of days, and the house is staying dry.


*We used to have a dog that looked like a grosse spitz with the same skin problem. The spitz type dog comes in sizes ranging from Pomeranian up to American Eskimo dog, so I'm wondering if this problem turns up for all of them.