Female Marking or what??

[lcmwest]

Scout is 10 months old now, and she is 99% housetrained. She tends to have an occasional accident when there are changes (such as traveling with us and staying with friends) But, she also has accidents like these, that seem to me to be more like marking behavior: We live in a 3 floor townhome, she has access to second floor, also hallway and stairs and our bedroom on the third floor. We block off the first floor because she would go down and go on the carpet, we block off the study and spare bedroom because she has accidents there, and we block off the bathrooms, same reason. So, this weekend we had my family here and as soon as they got here they went downstairs to settle in, she followed them and within minutes, she squatted and peed a very small amount on the air bed right in front of us all. She also did that later in the weekend. She goes for 5-7 days with no accidents, but if we let her in to the space she is usually not allowed in, she will pee. Usually, it seems like she is just peeing a little not emptying her bladder. She has regular times to go out, and the last few weeks we have made a renewed effort to treat and praise her generously when she potties outside.
So, what do you guys think is going on here? I am open to any and all advice or feedback. thanks, Lynne:confused:

[lcmwest]

anyone with any ideas?:confused:

[Chris&Eti]

It sounds like territorial marking behaviour-both males and females engage in this-she was definitely sending out a message to your houseguests .
< http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Marking.php >

[Roland]

It sounds to me like she is just not house trained. Perhaps she doesn't recognize those rooms as being part of the family "den"-and doesn't realize she shouldn't go in them. At least she isn't lifting her leg on anything!!!! Females who mark lift their legs like a male does-and they tend to do it on special surface (i.e. the table where food was left on). Her accidents may have been prompted by excitement or distractedness rather than true territorialness. Just keep working on housebreaking with her. Increase supervision, take her out more frequently and give her treats for going in the right area.

[Roland]

Oh, and try spending some time with her in those rooms she has the accidents in. Encourage her to nap next to you while you read a book there. Introduce them to her as part of your living space-and watch her closely so she doesn't pee!

[franp]

It sounds like territorial marking behaviour-both males and females engage in this-she was definitely sending out a message to your houseguests .
< http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Marking.php >


Yes,Chris I agree with you.Dari has done this when we have gone to someone's house for the first time.

She would hightail it straight for the bedroom and up on to the bed..(much to my dismay and embaressment).

Or she would go to the dog's bed and pee on it..
Now when we go to someone's home for the first time, I keep her leash on and follow her..At the first hint of this behavior, I tell her NO!.I think she finally has figured it out...

Fran

[franp]

[QUOTE=Roland] Females who mark lift their legs like a male does-and they tend to do it on special surface (i.e. the table where food was left on).
Roland,
My Dari marks and does not lift her leg.. She pees on every male dogs' pee..Dari is a very alpha bitch and lets all the dogs in the area know it by marking..

If you would watch her and not know that she is a female, you would think that she is a dog.. Her breeder has seen her and is amazed...

Fran

[Roland]

It definitely does sound like Dari is marking! But are you sure this other dog is? One thing I have read about certain dogs peeing in a stranger's house is that it is caused by dogs not being able to generalize their training in different environments. Also the thing about introducing different rooms in your house to a dog comes from my "Puppy Primer" book by Patricia McDonell (the author of "The Other End of the Leash", etc.). But actually, I could understand if she was marking stuff everywhere-but she stated that this type of behavior happens in certain rooms and not other rooms. So that was what my opinion was based on. I've noticed that my own (not entirely housebroken) 5 month old pup likes to go to areas of the house that we don't use much to have her sneaky little accidents (occuring about once a week or less nowadays). It is much easier to housebreak a dog if you live in a small house or apartment.

Well, it is just a thought.

[franp]

[QUOTE=Roland]? One thing I have read about certain dogs peeing in a stranger's house is that it is caused by dogs not being able to generalize their training in different environments.
Roland, I can not answer for any other dogs; Dari KNEW she was in another home and was establishing territory..Because it was ALWAYS on the bed..
I had to make it clear to her that I was alpha. Thankfully , she has figured it out.At almost 6 this behavior is far far behind us..


It is much easier to housebreak a dog if you live in a small house or apartment.

I think if you confine your dog to a small area it is easier..As you trust your dog more; give it more freedom.
I live in a one bedroom apt.Dari did not have the run of the apartment until she was over a year old.
The size of the home is irrelevant; the area you give the dog is.
Fran

[lcmwest]

Thanks, guys, that is good information. I will try spending time in those rooms with her, good idea. Normally, they are blocked off. Today, the gate was down for a short time (because it is a passage we use and someone forgot to replace it) and wouldn't you know, next thing I see is # 1 and 2!! I think you are both right, one she is marking some territory, and she also doesn't see those rooms as part of her den. BUT, what about the bathrooms? She does go in there with us sometimes, for instance when she is getting a bath. Is it anthropomorphizing too much to think she thinks it is ok to go there because the humans do? It is so frustrating because it seems she does so well for 5-7 days, then she has an accident and then, like this holiday, it was the domino effect. I am going to pick up the book you mentioned, I already have "The Other End of the Lease" and it is the best book on dog behavior I have read so far.

[franp]

Lynne,
I think you need to go back to step one; start crating her again.Pretend that she is just at the beginning of her housebreaking..

If I remeber correctly,Dari was about 16 months ; she started to have "accidents".Right back into the crate as though she was not housetrained at all. The "accidents" stopped...

Fran

[Piperloo]

Hi Lynne
Piper is a marking female also - isn't that lots of fun! :lol: But she doesn't usually do it in the house. We had an incident or two that I would chalk up to marking behavior when she was much younger but never anymore. What I would suggest is that you have a urinalysis done to make sure 100% that it is indeed behavioral and not a UTI. Having a marking female as well as one with recurrent UTI's I've been both roads and sometimes they are a bit tough to differentiate.
Piperloo

[lcmwest]

Thanks, she has not had a problem since we had company for Thanksgiving. That is something I was considering if she did it again. She is doing better with pooping outside this week, too, despite the 6 inches of snow we have. She has a new sweater she is so CUTE in, and I purchased some "Mushers Secret". its' a salve that they use for sled dogs to put on their paws to protect them from snow, salt, etc. She seems to enjoy me putting it on, and goes out much more readily.