My spayed female (a little over 1 1/2 years old) has started marking on our walks. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on the first pee, but she will then go at least one more time over the course of a short (15 minute) walk. Sometimes twice... (and this is after she has done her business in the backyard, upon waking)

Should I prevent her from doing this?

 Quote: lynne barrows

My spayed female (a little over 1 1/2 years old) has started marking on our walks. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on the first pee, but she will then go at least one more time over the course of a short (15 minute) walk. Sometimes twice... (and this is after she has done her business in the backyard, upon waking)

Should I prevent her from doing this?

Anything else new going on?

If not, my POV is that my no-issues dogs can do whatever they want during "free" times on walks. Walks are spent marching along quite briskly, but with plenty of releases at my discretion for the dogs to pee, sniff, whatever.

Sometimes I even deliberately choose a pole or clump of vegetation or hydrant that I know is the neighborhood pee-mail spot, just because it's fun to watch them have such a thoroughly satisfying sniff/mark/pee session there.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Sometimes I even deliberately choose a pole or clump of vegetation or hydrant that I know is the neighborhood pee-mail spot, just because it's fun to watch them have such a thoroughly satisfying sniff/mark/pee session there.

Yes, these are the areas she targets. (and seems to really enjoy!)
As far as other issues, we are working through some that are related to my son's (6 years old) interactions with her(growling issues). Mostly the solution seems to revolve around me being VERY clear and consistent with pack structure in the house.

We are seeing improvement there...

I don't think the marking is related to the above...

 Quote: lynne barrows

Yes, these are the areas she targets. (and seems to really enjoy!)
As far as other issues, we are working through some that are related to my son's (6 years old) interactions with her(growling issues). Mostly the solution seems to revolve around me being VERY clear and consistent with pack structure in the house.

We are seeing improvement there...

I don't think the marking is related to the above...

Well, I meant more that I might not be such an easygoing releaser-on-walks if there were pack issues elsewhere.

A small thing: When you say "the areas she targets," well, that's not her choice. It's yours. That was what I meant by released on walks at your discretion.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Well, I meant more that I might not be such an easygoing releaser-on-walks if there were pack issues elsewhere.

A small thing: When you say "the areas she targets," well, that's not her choice. It's yours. That was what I meant by released on walks at your discretion.

Point well-taken, thanks...

Hey Lynne, maybe I'm missing it but why do you think she's actually marking?

 Quote: steve strom

Hey Lynne, maybe I'm missing it but why do you think she's actually marking?

Much better reply than mine! LOL

I did have a marking-crazy female, but I would think UTI (or something) before new marking, in general.

I think because we have plenty of dogs in the neighborhood, and she wants to get her pee in the mix, so to speak.

I think it's ocurring now because we haven't been in this neighborhood for too long, and she's just figuring out that this is what dogs do...
(I feel certain it's not a UTI; no excessive peeing in the backyard, or any other symptoms)

(and, to add, at our prior house, she would very rarely encounter dog scent on our walks)

Our Yellow Lab was never able to MT the first couple of times. On any walk she would go a couple of times before the dam broke. At home in the pea gravel she didnt do that. She wasnt a dog you would mistake for any rank or confidence issues. I just thought she was searching for just the right smell to assist with releasing.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Well, I meant more that I might not be such an easygoing releaser-on-walks if there were pack issues elsewhere.

I agree with Connie - sometimes these things are more connected than you think.
Oscar developed some "issues" around the time we moved a year ago - we dropped the ball with pack leadership because there was so much going on, and he definitely took advantage of that and started to be an a$$ in all the areas we know he's specifically prone to backsliding.

Tightening up our leadership in this case (and it's the area we're most susceptible to slacking off in general ) meant nearly NO more freedom when out walking. We don't have a yard, so ALL outside time was controlled. I have to say, it was pretty amazing how quickly his whole attitude changed once he stopped being able to sniff and pee so freely - it effected his house manners as well in that he was just more respectful.

We've since been able to return some of his freedoms, but the walk is such a perfect daily opportunity to re-establish leadership, as long as you're conscious of it, you can maintain a nice balance of control, respect and privileges that will have effects throughout all aspects of the dog's day.

~Natalya