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Originally Posted by Nancy1999  I've only owned male dogs, but this isn't about my opinion, it's about science. Yes, the studies are old, so are Pavlov's experiments, that doesn't mean classical conditions doesn't happen because your dogs don't salivate at the sound of a bell. These studies changed the way scientists look at behavior, and what can be learned, and are at the very foundation of learning theory, which many of you know as behaviorism. Marking is considered a "wired in" behavior, meaning a behavior that is almost impossible to modify. These studies weren't about dog training they were about the brain/body connection in learning theory. There are exceptions to every rule, in science; they talk about probability not what will happen in one individual case. I really wish I never made the comment, and don't understand why some of you are giving your dogs as examples. I already said most neutered males don't mark. I just think people should be aware that it's extremely difficult to teach an unneutered dog not to mark, once marking behavior is clearly established. |
Sure some older studies are still relevant, but tons of things people originally thought about behavorism are now considered incorrect. Science progresses. And you can find tons of information about Pavlovian experiments on the web. Why is this study not accessible?
I know I am using my personal experience as an example because the OP was asking about her own dog marking, and I took your original comment to say that it was a crapshoot whether she'd be able to train her dog not to go indoors, since you said that many owners say their male dogs are trained, but they aren't really.
I also disagree with your statement that most neutered male dogs don't mark. I would say almost all male dogs do, fixed or not. I'm using Thor as an example because he had years of experience marking indoors, so I think this is relevant. His habit is certainly established, and I expect he will mark outdoors his entire life.
I've grown up with male dogs who have been bred (not yorkies though), and they did not mark indoors. Your statements don't tie with my experience at all, so I'm challenging it. To me, this would be like someone saying "most dogs don't like walks."
I'm sure it is deeply instinctive, since wolves also mark their territory. I think barking is deeply ingrained too, and it would probably be extremely difficult to train, say, a dashund to never bark. But again, why would you care, as long as it was only outdoors.