April 21, 2011

My 3 1/2 year old Chihuahua is marking my whole house. What can I do?

Full Question:
Dear Ed:

I have a huge problem (or it is to me anyway). I have a 3 1/2 year old neutered Chihuahua who is marking my whole house. I assume that marking is different then just peeing in the house. It's not like a puddle in the middle of the room but rather on the corners of everything. I searched your site for an answer and could not find anything on the subject. 3 family members have acquired puppies (and live separate and apart from us) but frequently visit and bring their puppies, or I have to watch them from time to time and vice versa. They are all between the ages of 8-10 months. 2 females, a lab and a boxer, and 1 male shepherd. I caught my dog raising his leg on the 10 month old lab and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and shook him till he yelped, only because I caught him in the act. So I went out and purchased a black light and lo and behold my whole house has his markings on the corner of everything. I still cannot believe it! I feel I watch him pretty closely. I try to keep him in the room with me (unless he sneaks off and then I'll call him back to me) and I crate him when I leave the house, or when I can't watch him. Please tell me what I'm missing here. Something psychological I'm assuming. I'm bringing a male German Shepherd home in April (at the age of 8 weeks old) and I'd really like to get a handle on this before I do. Please help!! I apologize if this question seems stupid. I pray you can steer me in the right direction by telling me what is going on, and how I can stop this. Thanks so much! Bonnie

PS: By the way I enjoyed your DVD on puppies 8 weeks to 10 months. I plan to use your advice with the new shepherd. And I plan to purchase supplies and other DVDs as well. Thanks so much for your site!!
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
This is a simple problem.
  1. Get a dog crate and crate train this dog. Treat it like an 8 week old puppy. It is NEVER out of your sight and for 4 or 5 months when it’s in the house it is NEVER OFF a line. It takes a dog 3 or 4 seconds to pee on your floor. You may want to read the article I wrote titled The Ground Work to Becoming a Pack Leader. It is also the part of the protocol we use to solving behavioral problems such as dominance and/or house breaking problems.

  2. I can guarantee you that this dog is not well trained. Obedience training is part of the solution. My Basic Obedience DVD has an excellent section on small dogs.

  3. If this were my dog it would be in the dog crate every time another dog came to the house. Frankly with this much urine in your home you have a situation where these other dogs are also peeing in your home. When your family brings a dog it too should always be in a crate or on leash – no exceptions.

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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