[chaminox]

We have a chance to adopt a former champion who is being retired. What are the chances an older male can be taught not to mark the whole house after he has been nuetered?

[Todd]

chances are as high as you make them out to be. Hard work and diligence on your part is key. House training an adult dog is no different than house training a puppy. If anything, it's easier because adult dogs can "hold it" much longer than young dogs. Once he is neutered, this will stop him from marking in the house in most cases. If not, just go about the same methods as house-training. When you catch him in the act, correct him and put him outside and praise him when he goes outside. You may also want to purchase some sort of scent neutralizing product make specifically for dogs. He remarks his scent where he smell his previous scent, which is why you want to cover that smell up. dogs noses are MUCH stronger than ours so soap and a sponge is not enough to eliminate the smell for him. you need the neutralizer. If you aren't farmiliar with how to housebreak a dog, here are some stratigies that can be found online;

House-training an adult dog isn't much different from house-training a puppy - in fact, your adult dog should be able to "hold it" for much longer than a puppy, making retraining an adult less labor intense. Dog crates can be useful training tools when it comes to correcting house soiling problems, because dogs generally will not soil in their immediate environment. However, if your dog has never been placed in a crate, take care to introduce him slowly. For some dogs that are crate phobic or have been forced to soil in them in the past, crates will just not work.

Also, consider that your dog may define "home" differently than you do. To you, home may be a multi-story house, but your dog may see everything beyond the kitchen (which he has kept spotless) as "outside.

" By restricting your dog to a smaller area for a while, and then gradually extending his home area, you can help him learn the ropes.

The procedure: Take your dog outside, on leash, to a regular "toilet area" and give him a food treat for eliminating there. Try to keep "toileting" walks brief: If he's going to urinate, it'll probably happen right away. If you do not have immediate success with him, take him for a longer walk, try using a different leash, or try exiting from a different doorway. This way you can emphasize that a bathroom walk has only one purpose. If he doesn't cooperate in time allowed, return indoors and supervise or restrict him, then repeat the bathroom walk in 15 to 30 minutes.

If you discover an "accident" after the fact, clean it up without a fuss - punishment today won't stop the behavior from being repeated tomorrow. Usually, consistent supervision or confinement and regularly scheduled bathroom walks (don't forget the rewards!) will eventually teach your dog what is expected of him. If you catch him in the act, tell him ``no,'' but resist the urge to shout. Instead, reward him lavishly when he goes where he's supposed to.

Good Luck!

[Yogi]

Though a nice thought this is not necessarily true. When it comes to marking this is is easily avoided when neutered at approx 6 months of age. As an adult dog this then becomes a habit. Unfortunately neutering in no way implies discontinued marking as now a habit. Though an adult dog can holder it longer does not mean it will when it is accustomed to marking as a habit. I have 8 rescued adult males all neutered before they came to me. Once a habit nearly always a habit. The process of training a pup is easier than an adult dog that has had years of marking as a norm. In fact the assumption that neutered males no longer will roam is a falsity. They can and will very often if a bitch is in season and will still even tie with one. This holds true for their now habit of marking. Can they be house trained, yes. But do not assume neutering will be a simply solution as this is very rare case when it happens. I have rescued dogs for years and after neutering can attest that they will still continue to mark and it does take a great deal of time and work to adjust this habit and teach them the outdoors is where to go. Patience and a lot of time and effort if you are willing to spend it could reap a great reward. Good Luck.

[Lara's mom]

If one has a male who is not going to be neutered, at least for a few years, how do you prevent marking?

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

If one has a male who is not going to be neutered, at least for a few years, how do you prevent marking?

That is the difficult part as the hormones etc are kicking in. This is normal for a male more so when there is a bitch in season. Out of season, they are not prone to heavy marking. Emphasis on monitoring and pushing the outdoor training as much as possible helps. Also, leaving the dog out longer so it marks more outdoors than in. With my breeding males, as soon as I see them drink from the water bowl, they are outside. No sense in letting them re-load so to speak so they can fire away in the house.

[Lara's mom]

Thanks Yogi! Good advice.

[Yogi]

It is just part of the fallout from having breeding studs. A pain so to speak but the extra effort is worth it in the long run if you have quality dogs. Granted, I am at the age now where slowing down and it is getting better. Two of my 3 breeders have caught on and are less inclined to do so in the house. The newest member has not bred before so this is all new to him and will again take time.

[Lunareclipse]

I have an unaltered male and he doesn't mark anywhere. But he also knows that everything in the house belongs to me. He doesn't even mark outside. He has tried before and I gave a sharp yank on the leash. I never wanted him to start marking anywhere. I set boundries as soon as I got him.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

I have an unaltered male and he doesn't mark anywhere. But he also knows that everything in the house belongs to me. He doesn't even mark outside. He has tried before and I gave a sharp yank on the leash. I never wanted him to start marking anywhere. I set boundries as soon as I got him.

That is the key when it is a pup. To work on the issue before it starts if you know you do not plan on neutering. Unfortunately most people do not take those steps thus maturity kicks in and before long you find yourself dealing with a bad habit.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Yogi

That is the key when it is a pup. To work on the issue before it starts if you know you do not plan on neutering. Unfortunately most people do not take those steps thus maturity kicks in and before long you find yourself dealing with a bad habit.

True that. It's a shame you are getting a dog with a habit as bad as marking. The previous owner should have trained it not to. My advice would be to get a 6 foot leash and tie it to your belt loop. Whenever you see the dog trying to mark, yank the leash. Wait 3 seconds and give him a treat if he stops his bad behavior. When he is not strapped to you, put him in a crate. Don't leave him unsupervised or uncrated until you break this habit. It may take several weeks to a month to break him. Always reward or praise a lot for the correct behavior. (If everyone else in your house doesn't think you are crazy, you are not giving enough praise).

[Lara's mom]

So, with Lance I have to "nip it in the bud" so to speak. He hasn't started doing it yet but, when he does, I'll have to make it perfectly clear that it is not allowed. Thankfully, both my girls are spayed so hopefully, he won't have so much "incentive."

[Ward9320]

Very creative idea (i like it) but it sure does sound like a lot of work