Hey Guys,
Question? 3 year old male German Shepard, Kenneled 95% of the time, in an individual run.
19 month old German Shepard Male Kenneled 95% of the time in an individual run.
The 2 males get along great when together always supervised by me when together on walks or exersice time, once in awhile they have a stand off and play ruff no confirtations except when the pup tried to take a toy 9 months ago from the older one, 5 stitches in the muzzel of the pup. The 2 will come into the house for visiting the family and occasually an over night at the house. The minute the 3 year old comes in the house he starts to walk around and lifts his leg <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
I am not sure if he's doing this because of the other male? or he's just doing it because he's in the kennel most of the time between shifts and exersicing, and doesn't give a rats ass where he does his bussness! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> He will also shit in the same spot in the kitchen when I let him in and turn my back.
I have seen him walk right up to the other males last spot of bussness and do the same outside.
I don't crate them when their in the house it's only for a few hours to socialize with the kids and to play then it's back to kennel.
My wife is to the point of wanting to clip his nuts I have finished all his training in Protecton, Obedience and Tracking for work, is this going to effect his drive which he's got tons of. I was just wondering.
All you K9 Gurus's Help!
I could just kennel him 24/7 except during work and exercise but I'd rather have him socialize with the family once in awhile.
The 19 month old is not doing this at all or will he start as soon as the other stops and he tries to become the leader of the pact LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Anyway I like to hear from the Guru's
Be Safe All!

Lewis/Argo and Rley

I'd suggest that if you don't already do this, take him for a brief walk before bringing him in. This should give him the opportunity to "air" himself. If you catch him getting ready to hike up the leg, interrupt him with a firm "No", or "leave it", "Hey!!!" or whatever. Praise him if he lowers the leg and doesn't pee. It would be ideal if you could catch him before he even raises the leg, like if you see him bringing himself parallel to a vertical object, or even approaching the "regular" spot. If you catch him hunkering down to poop, interrupt him and take him outside on leash. Give him about five minutes to do his business, and if he doesn't, then take him back inside, but do not take your eye off him for a second. After he has pooped outside and you have praised him for getting it right, you can relax.

Make sure that you clean up any "mistakes" with an odor neutralizer. Very important. If you use just a regular cleaner, there will still be some residual odor, that while undetectable to a human's puny nose, will attract the dog back to that spot again and again. You can buy such a cleaner at a pet store, or you can mix a solution of one part white vinegar and three parts water, and keep it in a spray bottle.

It's kind of a male dog instinct to "mark" any new place that they go. It's the doggy equivalent of "tagging"; or pinning the business card on the bulletin board. Since he doesn't spend too much time in the house, he probably doesn't understand that it's a living space, and not just another place for him to mark.

My mom has this sofa that has been peed on by several dogs. One time while I was there, my dog went over and marked it! I couldn't believe it! He NEVER marks inside MY house! So, I went and cleaned it up, but my mom didn't have any odor neutralizing cleaners, only some regular carpet stuff, which was REALLY perfumy and strong smelling. I used what she had, and saturated the place good. I'm thinking NO dog's gonna smell pee over THAT stink! Not 15 minutes later, another relative came with their dog, who promptly proceeded to pee on the exact same spot. I think that unless my mom can find some super power cleaner, that couch is destined to be the "hydrant". My dog was neutered young, and that certainly does not stop him from marking over the top of another dog; so you can tell your wife that while it might be satisfying, it won't solve the problem! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

L Swanston,
Thanks! I do let them do their thing prior to coming in! I have used the nuteralizer on several spots that have been marked, I will do the correction/praise routine with him outside and in and see how that goes, I also think he's just being pig headed about having another male around. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> They both go through their posturing thing daily but a quick word from me and their playing again. I'll work on Riley and see where it takes me.
Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Be Safe!
Lewis/Argo and Riley

Oh good, it sounds like you've got the basics covered. I think that with a little extra vigilance and consistency, he should get the message.

Stay in control of the younger dog also. At 19mo he is just commming into his own and may start to do some serious marking himself. The daily postureing could also get more serious if he decides to move up the ladder on the older dog.

Oldearthdog,
Yes the 19 month old Argo is starting to posture alot more often, the 3 year old Riley will play ruff with Argo and vice a versa, some days one will be more posturing. I notice it more often from the older when they are let out of their individual runs and are exercising, bowling into each other, it's really strong when they haven't had contact with each other for awhile.
The 19 month old is just starting to lift his leg, hell talk about a late blummer LOL! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> When the 2 are together for awhile there is not alot of posturing. Hell when I take one out with out the other one their looking like crazy for the other one, it can become annoying sometimes, especially when training, a bit of a distraction at first.They act like long lost buddies!
I will keep an eye on the younger one he's due to come into his own soon!
Thanks for the advise!
Be Safe!

Lewis/Argo and Riley

i'm just wondering if you ever officially house trained the dog before you kenneled him. It almost sounds as if he has no idea that he is not allowed to exhibit that behavior in the house.

That said, be aware that you mey never be able to break him of the habit of marking in the house.He is 3 years old and the behavior is now set in pretty well. I would think that if was kept in the house exclusively) and crated you might have a shot, although if the other dog is around it might not matter.

I don't want to be a pessimist, but I had a male that we were never able to break from marking and eventually he became a full time kennel dog.( predominantly shep x -95 lbs- found on the street 3or 4 years old)For socialization we went for lots of family outings and walks and played out on the property with him and his kennel partner.

Good luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Jennette,
Thanks,
Yes Riley I got at 15 months old I rescued him from a very bad situation, he had been left in a home and small pen where he got round worm, hook worm, tape worm his coat was so bad, he was 55 pounds now he's gourgeous, and a super patrol dog for my job! alot of people were so surprised at the Schutzhund club and the sherriff department when it came to his tracking and bite work fully confident in all with no malice or reservation in his work! He stayed in the house for almost a year before the new kennels were built, he was house trained as well as crate trained this was all part of his intital training and bonding which we really did alot of for the first 4 months.
I probably will have to kennel him most of the time when not at work or exersicing.
I thank you for your advice. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Be Safe!

Lewis/Argo and Riley