Ok,
I hope I am putting this in the right place. We are getting a Epagneul Breton (French Brittany Spaniel) male in a few months. We are getting a male, and because of the blood lines are not planning on fixing the dog unless he does not meet breeders approval at the age of 2 to the breeders standards to lift the "Limited" on his registration.

We live in an apartment complex/town home area. Our male is NOT allowed to be outside of my apartment unless on a leash. We are very very diligent on this because this is a Bird dog, I don't know if you would qualify him as "working", but he definitly does have drive to hunt and find birds. He will be very "birdy" because its bred into this breeders lines.

Anyways, now for my question. I have been hearing if you have a male (I have only ever had females) and if the dog is not fixed they like to "Mark" their areas. This being the case can you train the dog NOT to do it in the house ie: my daughters toys and stuffed animals.

We are following Ed's advice to the letter when crate training. If the dog is in the house and outside of crate its on a leash no if ands or buts.

Now I understand the issue of "Opps" litters and there are always opps' that happen. My daughters both were opps'.

So on this note I will end my question. Yes I did search to see if anyone could tell me about males "marking" their areas and if its in the house how to train them to do it only outside. I couldn't find anything but please ANY advice that will prepare me for whats to come would be wonderful.

Mary McKeever

Mary, I grew up with a large, mixed breed intact male who never, ever marked in the house. I've also had a neutered Standard poodle male who DID begin marking in the house. I know it is not a cut and dried answer, except that all intact males do not mark in the house and vise-versa. I'm sure some of the very expereienced folks will chime in over the next few days...

males that marked when intact will continue to mark after they've been nuetered. Intact females will also mark. the key is to properly house train your puppy from the beginning, crate training is one of your best tools

Wonderful! We are following our breeders potty training instructions which actually incorporate a bunch of Ed's advice! My breeder was the one who told me in the beginning to come here.. I'm addicted. Dennis thanks so much for the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak.

I was very worried that there was going to be no way to stop this and it was just nature of an unfixed male dog. Training him correctly is something that I can control!

Barbara thank you for the personal experiences. I was getting a few "Newbie" dog owner jitters lol!

Mary

 Quote: mary mckeever

I was very worried that there was going to be no way to stop this and it was just nature of an unfixed male dog.

Mary

We could have a lot of fun with this post if we removed "dog"...

You'll do fine. Train him right, keep him exercised, etc... and I bet he does just fine. Isn't his mom "JUST" pregnant??? LOL! You are going to be nuts by the time you get this pup!!!

*sheepish* My dad raised me when I was little. He is a "planner" drives the family CRAZY. Hubby loves me thankgoodness otherwise Divorce is in my future. I plan ahead for everything. Be it a couple of weeks to a few months. She is due end of April actually. So not to late. Wish the breeder would email back though. Hubbys got to put in for vacation time so we can get the puppy.

Mary

I have an intact male (have had 2 other here also)& a whole female in my home now. I have NEVER had any marking in the house with any of my dogs. If you crate & housetrain properly, there should be no problems. Enjoy your new pup.

 Quote: mary mckeever

... We are following Ed's advice to the letter when crate training. If the dog is in the house and outside of crate its on a leash no if ands or buts.

Add tethering to this list.

You will love the results of tethering the new dog to you. And it's the ultimate "manage-the-dog's-environment" boost.