Hey all...New to the forum...Co-founder of Coastal WGSD Rescue Referral (www.coastalwgsdrr.org) and recently started fostering a boy (Maker's Mark) that seems to have an excessive need to mark everything! He is pretty much housebroken, except when left alone. HATES crates and looks much like Marmaduke all sprawled out when trying to crate him, so it really isn't an option at this point.

When he goes outside, he uriniates just a little on a gazillion trees, bushes and grasses...He never just goes full stream. He doesn't seem to have any problem urinating, he just wants to mark everything.

He recently "marked" my $1500 TV and our slate pool table. We are NOT AMUSED! He is really good when in the car and does fine sleeping overnight in our room with our 3 permanent resident GSDs (two males and one female). There is no competition in this marking game, he plays alone!

Got suggestions? If so, please email me directly at image_instinct@yahoo.com

Regards,
CASEY SPEAS
http://www.imageinstinct.com

Coastal WGSD Rescue Referral, Inc.
http://www.coastalwgsdrr.org
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Email: image_instinct@yahoo.com
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW! What a Ride!" – Author Unknown

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” - Will Rogers

A dog new to a home will often mark a lot.

Crating is the answer.

Search on this board and on Leerburg.com for approximately 13 zillion crate-training threads and articles, and you'll see that it is an option. It is THE option.

http://www.leerburg.com/housebrk.htm

Also, I do correct for marking, although I do not correct for accidents during housebreaking. I see from your message that you do indeed know the difference.

 Quote: casey speas

HATES crates and looks much like Marmaduke all sprawled out when trying to crate him, so it really isn't an option at this point.

Feed him in his crate, everytime and it will become the option for him. Also give him something he likes to chew on (Kongs w/ Peanut Butter work great) while he is in there. Never use the crate as a punishment and always make the enter experience a great fun one.

As far as marking, I would take him out on lead and not let him mark. If he tries to mark, correct him. Praise like crazy when he goes more than just a little "marking" bit.

Your dogs may not think there is competition but this dog sounds like he does. My Bloodhound was great in the house and now that the Lab came home he will mark in the house if I am not watching him. I had him all checked out by the vet before that was the conclusion I made. There are 5 males and a female here so yes, the boys think there is competition. My female will actually go over the top of where the males go.

My 13 month old Malinois is also an excessive marker. He started marking at 3 1/2 months old. When he is in the house, he is either in his crate, or at one end of a long line wearing a prong collar. I never let go of the other end of this line. Twice he has tried to mark in the house, but I was able to correct him in time. He will always have the crate. He will be on a long line until I'm comfortable with his manners. And with this jerk it will probably be quite some time yet.