New to the Board and Frustrated

[Mama2Bentley]

I'm new to the board! I just adopted a 3 year old male (not neutered) Yorkie about a month ago from a friend-of-a-friend. She assured he was (and I assumed with him being 3) housetrained, well behaved, crate trained, yada yada yada.

Clearly. He's not.

Here's the issues I'm facing on a daily basis.

1. He poops in the house.
2. He marks his territory EVERYWHERE. I even bought one of those 'wraps' at Petco and he'll still hike his leg and pee on himself basically.
3. His former owner thought it was 'cute' that he 'gives kisses'... Meaning he'll jump up and lick everyone's face.

The crate training we've come very far with. He's doing VERY well. But when I adopted him I assumed I wouldn't have to start over like I had a puppy in my house. And I do.

I don't know what to do about him marking his territory. That's my biggest issue. I literally follow him through the house to keep an eye on him. I will get him fixed soon, but in the meantime I need some SERIOUS help.

Any insight on the potty issue for an adult dog would be MUCH appreciated. I love my little Bentley very much, but I'm also 7 months pregnant and do not have much time to 'whip him into shape'.

[sganow]

Wow! It sounds like you DO have to start all over training him, just as if he were a puppy. Most of this can be fixed with some work. The thing I'd be most concerned about is his "marking". I've had a couple male dogs before that did this and we never were able to break them, and ultimately ended up giving them away because we couldn't deal with it anymore. That is the reason why we have all girl dogs and will only have girl dogs. I know other people who have had the same experience and feel the same way. I hope you are able to resolve these issues quickly. It sounds like he's a sweet affectionate dog.

[Deuce]

I do believe that neutering will help you. I have a little boy who doesn't mark (I had him neutered at 10 months). Until then, keep a super close eye on him, and clean any and all messes with a enzyme cleaner (natures miracle is available at petsmart) and keep the belly band on him while he is indoors. Make sure to change out the pad often as you don't want him getting an infection. If he is in his crate take off the belly band to ensure that he gets plenty of fresh air "down there". Good luck!

[Yorkiedaze]

First have him neutered ASAP. He is laying claims on your house by marking, and having him neutered should stop that.
You either need to start a training schedule just like you would a puppy. Get some information off the web about training in all the areas that he needs.
Good luck to you.

[bellababy08]

Sounds like you need to start from the beginning on potty training...Confine him in a play yard when you can't watch him and take him outside every few hours...and let him mark like crazy outside and praise praise praise and give a treat...letting him know you are happy with his behavior...in the house when you have him out of his confinement area watch him like a hawk and when he goes to lift his leg...say NO in a very firm voice don't yell it...than take him right outside and say good boy...letting him know this is where you want him to potty....getting him neutered will help I'm sure, but at his age its going to be hard to stop that bad habit, if at all...the belly bands are excellent training tools...but you need to put a poise mini pad in it, so it he does mark the pad catches the pee and he won't be wet and neither will the band...hope this helps...good luck...BTW...potty training is a 24/7 job that never ends even when you think you have them trained continue praising and treating for good potty habits.

[roseylovestosho]

Why don't you start off by neutering him? I think that helps with marking?

[Mama2Bentley]

Originally Posted by roseylovestosho

Why don't you start off by neutering him? I think that helps with marking?

In my original post I said he will be neutered SOON. I'm 7 months pregnant and on bedrest for preterm labor so I've got a lot to focus on.

I do have some good news! Today we had some progression! I kept him confined to the living room all day (the living room is quite large) but this way I could keep an eye on him. He played ball with my 6 year old (rolling it to him) this afternoon, played with toys and didn't mark once!

We also had an issue with not being able to take him out in the back yard w/o his leash; he'd dart off to the neighbor's yard. Today I held his favorite treat in my hand and walked outside and he stayed right by me without running off. Then when he did go potty outside I gave him a tiny piece of the treat to reward him.

So halfway through the day and no potty issues and he's made progression on going outside w/o his leash.

ETA: We do use a belly band. We've had issues with him still peeing even though hes wearing the band (YUCK) but no issues today!

[gemy]

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but at three years old marking is firmly established, and neutering only has a small chance of changing that habit.

Belly bands with a pad insert frequently changed should be placed on the dog when he is allowed to roam free in the house. The use of an enzymatic cleaner is a must for any accidents

Urinating in the house is a linked but different issue. You should be able to housebreak that with due diligence.

And while not common some females actually do mark their territory as well.

[Mama2Bentley]

Originally Posted by gemy

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but at three years old marking is firmly established, and neutering only has a small chance of changing that habit.

Belly bands with a pad insert frequently changed should be placed on the dog when he is allowed to roam free in the house. The use of an enzymatic cleaner is a must for any accidents

Urinating in the house is a linked but different issue. You should be able to housebreak that with due diligence.

And while not common some females actually do mark their territory as well.

That's my fear. Getting him neutered and him still marking. But I WILL neuter him anyways. We do use the bellyband though.

[roseylovestosho]

Originally Posted by gemy

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but at three years old marking is firmly established, and neutering only has a small chance of changing that habit.

Belly bands with a pad insert frequently changed should be placed on the dog when he is allowed to roam free in the house. The use of an enzymatic cleaner is a must for any accidents

Urinating in the house is a linked but different issue. You should be able to housebreak that with due diligence.

And while not common some females actually do mark their territory as well.

You are probably right, but regardless even if it doesn't fix the problem the dog should be neutered

[babiegurl]

I beg to differ on the age and marking thing. I bought my mom a dog 4 years ago and he would mark up her house until NO END. After years of begging, I finally convinced her to get "Waver" fixed and almost immediately, he stopped marking her home, so neutering shouldnt be discouraged in terms of helping to stop the dog from marking. Waver is much older than 3 too and he was just fixed last year.

[DJDB]

I don't think anyone would say neutering the dog is a bad thing, but I think it's doubtful that it would change the "marking" behaviour (not saying it CAN'T happen, but it's hit or miss). I think the other posters had some good advice. Diligence, lots of praise for going outside, and the belly band when roaming free inside are all good.

[roseylovestosho]

Originally Posted by Mama2Bentley

In my original post I said he will be neutered SOON. I'm 7 months pregnant and on bedrest for preterm labor so I've got a lot to focus on.

I do have some good news! Today we had some progression! I kept him confined to the living room all day (the living room is quite large) but this way I could keep an eye on him. He played ball with my 6 year old (rolling it to him) this afternoon, played with toys and didn't mark once!

We also had an issue with not being able to take him out in the back yard w/o his leash; he'd dart off to the neighbor's yard. Today I held his favorite treat in my hand and walked outside and he stayed right by me without running off. Then when he did go potty outside I gave him a tiny piece of the treat to reward him.

So halfway through the day and no potty issues and he's made progression on going outside w/o his leash.

ETA: We do use a belly band. We've had issues with him still peeing even though hes wearing the band (YUCK) but no issues today!

I read that you were pregnant, just didn't see the connection between your pregnancy and the dog getting neutered. When Teddy was neutered it took him less than a week to recover. Anyways, congratulations on your progress, hopefully everyday you will see improvement. Consistency is key.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Mama2Bentley

In my original post I said he will be neutered SOON. I'm 7 months pregnant and on bedrest for preterm labor so I've got a lot to focus on.

I do have some good news! Today we had some progression! I kept him confined to the living room all day (the living room is quite large) but this way I could keep an eye on him. He played ball with my 6 year old (rolling it to him) this afternoon, played with toys and didn't mark once!

We also had an issue with not being able to take him out in the back yard w/o his leash; he'd dart off to the neighbor's yard. Today I held his favorite treat in my hand and walked outside and he stayed right by me without running off. Then when he did go potty outside I gave him a tiny piece of the treat to reward him.

So halfway through the day and no potty issues and he's made progression on going outside w/o his leash.

ETA: We do use a belly band. We've had issues with him still peeing even though hes wearing the band (YUCK) but no issues today!

You sure have your hands full with a 6 yr old, one on the way and a 3 yr old marking dog. Are you sure this is really what you want at this time? Trying to housebreak a dog is as difficult as potty training a toddler. Being on bed rest is just further complicating the situation. If you are really serious about committing to his retraining I would suggest a large supply of bellybands to start. Restricting his access to your home was a very good first step in the right direction. I would further restrict his movement by keeping him on a leash at all times and only allow him to move about AFTER he's peed outdoors. You need to take him out minimum once an hour and keep him on the leash when you do. Out for potty and right back in. If he goes potty your son can play with him for about 20 minutes but after you need to go back to restricting him again. I'd also keep the bellyband on him at all times while he's indoors. Just because you had an afternoon without accidents/marking he is by no means trained. This is going to be a LONG HAUL!

As for the bellybands, the ones from the pet stores are horrible. I buy mine from Washable Belly Bands by T. Bumpkins & Co. and Doggie Pee Pads

They have a liner inside that is also washable and they are fit to size so there are no accidental marking is he does lift a leg.

As for the neutering, I do not understand why this cannot be done immediately. If you can't find a way now I don't know how you will find a way with a newborn baby. Please don't think that I'm trying to be rude but I am a mom as well and know how exhausted having a new baby can be. With a male there really isn't too much recovery and he will be home the same day. I personally would want to be well on my way to stopping his behavior is at all possible by the time the baby get mobile and truthfully it could take months for you to get to that point. Neutering will in the very least prevent future health problems but there have been plenty of dogs that neutering slowed or even stopped marking issues. It's not a magical guarantee but it would be in my top 2 things to do NOW.

Good luck in whatever path/advice you decide.

[babiegurl]

I've never even heard of belly bands until recently. All I know is that neutering stopped a lot of dogs that I've had and people I know have from eventually marking. I just dont want her to think her dog is too old to change his habits.