Re-homing Retired Stud..Worried About Marking Inside Home

[JuneBugs Momma]

I have been actively seeking a companion for Junebug, for me finding another Biewer in a rescue ,like I did him, is few and far between. The breed has now been accepted by the AKC as of April 2014 which has also made it more difficult.


After a couple weeks of contacting the BTCA and doing some networking, I was able to find a breeder in Alabama who is re-homing his 6yo retired stud. He was imported from Westphalia and is the grandfather of this breeders #1 show winner and she is only around 7 months old (picture is attached below). If you click on the pic it should come up a larger image, for she is gorgeous! Anyway, he has agreed to pay to have him neutered as well as a dental and I will be paying the courier fee (I am in PA). I will also be getting his pedigree and vet records. My main issue is that the breeder has told me he has a tendency to mark his territory within his home. This is not surprising and is expected in a small breeding establishment. I am curious as to if it will stop once he is neutered?


JB is neutered and never goes in the home except on pee pads during the day when he is confined in the kitchen when I am working. This retired breeder is also trained on pee pads but I do "NOT" want him going in the house all the time. I am hoping he gets into a routine along with JB. He likes his soft-sided carrier so I ordered one for him to spend the nights in. JB sleeps in a petbed in our bedroom and is not confined but I do not need this new addition to be peeing in the house at night.


Any/all advice is appreciated.

[BorderKelpie]

Oh! what a beautiful dog!

One of the best dogs I ever had was a semi-retired finished champion intact male (the breeder was still using him for breeding, but wanted him in a home, not a kennel). I think he marked all of twice and both times were my fault. When you get your new guy, work with him like you would a brand new puppy. Crate-train (I am sure he already is, but reinforce it). Tether him to you so he can't get a chance to sneak over somewhere and mark something. Take him outside regularly to the approved spot and praise, praise, and praise some more for appropriate eliminating. Don't let him have free run of the house until you're positive he knows what to do and where. This could take weeks to months, depending on the dog. Terriers are a bit more strong-willed than my herding dogs, so it may take a little longer than it did Striker, but he can and will learn with close supervision and proper guidance from you.

This is exciting, I can't wait to 'meet' your new little guy! Don't forget to post pictures.

Best wishes!

[MyFairLacy]

You may be able to train him to stop marking after he's been neutered, but you may need to keep a Belly band on him when he's running the house.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

You may be able to train him to stop marking after he's been neutered, but you may need to keep a Belly band on him when he's running the house.

Love your signature line.

[JuneBugs Momma]

Originally Posted by BorderKelpie

Oh! what a beautiful dog!

One of the best dogs I ever had was a semi-retired finished champion intact male (the breeder was still using him for breeding, but wanted him in a home, not a kennel). I think he marked all of twice and both times were my fault. When you get your new guy, work with him like you would a brand new puppy. Crate-train (I am sure he already is, but reinforce it). Tether him to you so he can't get a chance to sneak over somewhere and mark something. Take him outside regularly to the approved spot and praise, praise, and praise some more for appropriate eliminating. Don't let him have free run of the house until you're positive he knows what to do and where. This could take weeks to months, depending on the dog. Terriers are a bit more strong-willed than my herding dogs, so it may take a little longer than it did Striker, but he can and will learn with close supervision and proper guidance from you.

This is exciting, I can't wait to 'meet' your new little guy! Don't forget to post pictures.

Best wishes!

Yes, she is just gorgeous.


I am trying to understand what you mean by not allowing him free-run of the home? Do you mean keep him confined with gates in the kitchen by himself? I really do not like that idea since JB will be free while I am home. He (Cooper) is also very social and stays with the "pack" which is good so I know he will not wonder off anywhere. He also goes through the night without having to go but is use to sleeping in the bed. JB sleeps in our bedroom but in a petbed and is not confined and also goes through the night. To be safe, I orderd a soft-sided mobile crate he will be sleeping plus it will be in the kitchen while I am at work as his get-a-way.


Won't a belly band deter his training? Terriers are not dumb and with his current owner using one on him once in a while, I am curious as to how that would be implemented in his training here with me, even if I want to use one at all? Plus, he will be neutered by the time he gets here so won't the "marking" stop?


I am hoping that with JB here, Coop will get use to the "routine" and will run smoothly. The main reason I wanted an adult is so I could eliminate all the puppy housebreaking due to my work schedule and not having the time.

[Kerryn915]

The belly bands help bc once they realize they aren't actually marking anything and they don't smell the urine (bc it's in the belly band) they eventually give up trying to mark. Territorial males continue to mark even after they are neutered. So I agree that he will need to be closely watched but with the belly band and supervision he will get it. Is that the pic of the new boy? He is gorgeous!

[Jakester]

wow that is a VERY BEAUTIFUL dog! Good luck with retraining!

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Kerryn915

The belly bands help bc once they realize they aren't actually marking anything and they don't smell the urine (bc it's in the belly band) they eventually give up trying to mark. Territorial males continue to mark even after they are neutered. So I agree that he will need to be closely watched but with the belly band and supervision he will get it. Is that the pic of the new boy? He is gorgeous!

Also, depending on how old he is, how long he has been a stud, you can not think neutering is going to work like a light switch and turn off the marking behavior. Realistically, he may not ever quit marking, despite neutering. The belly bands will keep your furniture and walls protected while he is inside. Just take it off when he goes outside, and put it back on when he comes back inside....that way, you KNOW he is not peeing on anything, off in an undisclosed spot!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Also, depending on how old he is, how long he has been a stud, you can not think neutering is going to work like a light switch and turn off the marking behavior. Realistically, he may not ever quit marking, despite neutering. The belly bands will keep your furniture and walls protected while he is inside. Just take it off when he goes outside, and put it back on when he comes back inside....that way, you KNOW he is not peeing on anything, off in an undisclosed spot!

Exactly!

To the OP: if you have a real serious aversion to this, you really should rethink this pup. If you were talking to me about adopting one of my rescues, and he had issues like this, I would steer you away and see if another might be a better fit. If you think it is going to be an issue please do not get him....it will be a big adjustment for him...only to end up having to be placed again should you not want to deal with it.

[MyFairLacy]

Honestly,with an older intact male, even being neutered I would expect him to continue marking. He MAY stop with a lot if training but I think you'll consider yourself lucky if he stops completely. I would purchase belly bands and have him wear them in the house...he may always need them, but if you are able to train him to stop marking,then you could stop the belly bands at that time

[JuneBugs Momma]

Originally Posted by Kerryn915

The belly bands help bc once they realize they aren't actually marking anything and they don't smell the urine (bc it's in the belly band) they eventually give up trying to mark. Territorial males continue to mark even after they are neutered. So I agree that he will need to be closely watched but with the belly band and supervision he will get it. Is that the pic of the new boy? He is gorgeous!

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I just want this transition to be a good one for Coop and Junebug. I will do my best and do what the breeder advises, for if I do see him lift his leg in the house with the belly band on, I will discipline him accordingly.


Also, any of you know where to get these belly bands? The larger retail pet stores have them for around $20 and that's for one! Had no idea they were that expensive.


Also, that picture is not of Coop but of his grand-daughter.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by JuneBugs Momma

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I just want this transition to be a good one for Coop and Junebug. I will do my best and do what the breeder advises, for if I do see him lift his leg in the house with the belly band on, I will discipline him accordingly.


Also, any of you know where to get these belly bands? The larger retail pet stores have them for around $20 and that's for one! Had no idea they were that expensive.


Also, that picture is not of Coop but of his grand-daughter.

There is a lady who makes really nice satin lined belly bands for, I believe, $12 and under. They are SO well made and are custom made. All of the money goes to YHR. If you are interested, the site is on Facebook (if you use FB).
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Best-...4840?ref=br_tf

[gemy]

You put liners in the belly bands so that the dog marks/pees in the removable liner.. I usually have two, one in the wash, and one belly band on.

[matese]

What a magnificent pup. She is simply beautiful. Good luck in your decision.

[Scoobstersmom]

I recently adopted a 2 year old, un-neutered rescue. I honestly think he had lived his life outside, and he marked like a water faucet.

The most reasonable place I found belly bands was through Amazon.

Our Ranger was neutered right away, the first week. He has been with us nearly three months now. We've got the marking about 90% under control. He does not mark in the house during the day, but all eyes are on him. All the time. If we can't watch him he's either wearing the belly band or in his crate. He has just graduated from night time crating, but I do keep a belly band on him over night still. He hasn't wet the band in a few weeks but I am still not comfortable to trust him 100%. Initially we seriously could not take our eyes off of him or he would hike his leg.

I really hope it works out great with your new little guy. Due diligence works. Good luck.

Diana