How to Keep Your Dog From Marking His Territory

I have the sweetest dog. He loves to cuddle up next to be on the days that are cold, when I'm reading a good book and when I'm not feeling so good.
I love him to death and I wouldn't trade him for anything (depending on what day you'd ask me).
He has this one bad habit. He loves to mark his territory. On walls, on my bed side tablecloth. You name he'll mark it.
No matter what I did I couldn't get him to stop. I thought he was purposely peeing on my things, but one day while doing some research I realized that he was not peeing just to pee, but marking his territory.
This is not of issue of house training, my dog is fully trained. Dogs leave there scents to send another dog a message- about who's territory it is, to show dominance or to claim something that belongs to them and sometimes is a sign of feeling insecure or have separation anxiety. Marking their territory is also a confidence builder.
Here are some ways to help your dog to stop marking his territory.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Determination
• Patience

1. Neuter
   Early neutering will stop marking behavior.
   For older dogs, neutering will help, but the marking behavior may have become a habit that you will have to break.

2. Supervise
   Catch him in the act.
   Confine your dog to an area or barricade areas off with baby gates

3. Praise him when he pees in the right spot.

Tips & Warnings

• Another opition is to put your dog on an retractable leash so you can have total control
• You may also be able to keep your dog from peeing on furniture is to place strips of aluminum foil
• Scat Mats- touch sensitive training pad that quickly teaches pets to avoid prohibited areas with a harmless, low-power electronic pulses similar to static electricity

[starlet67]

on 5/28/2009 Great tips and cute title photo!5*