Weird, bad, habit

[Sandy]

Toby has been doing something for the last little while that I'd like to stop. During the winter, while the deck was covered in snow, quite often he'd pee on the deck. Now that it's not covered, he's still doing it! Not poop, but pee. And he's bigger now, so it's not a little bit of pee. So, since I can't be out there every second with him, how can I stop this? Clearly we will need to pressure wash the deck in the Spring.....

Just as an aside, I thought perhaps we'd broken this habit when he was neutered, as I was out there with him on a leash all the time, so we always went down to the grass.

[Adina P]

Sounds just like a typical man! Too lazy to aim where he should ;-)

[Deena Womack]

LOL Adina. We all know that too well.

Anyway I think the snow confuses them. I know with Cali, normally when I take her out, she always goes pee in the grass and usually a specific spot. However when it snowed and the snow covered everything she would just squat anywhere, in the middle of the driveway, the steps to the porch, etc. She only does this when it is snow covered, so I am thinking it confuses her and throws off the scent. I don't know but that is my thinking...

[Chris & Boys]

Well, I was lucky enough to have a nieghbor whose dog liked to come and pee on my kids playset, sandbox, my flower garden, patio and our deck. So, of course, my dog started to pee on it as well ( after 12 years of never doing it). The smell is in the wood, so I don't know if you can ever break the habit without constant supervision. If you have success, let me know. I don't even let the puppy on the deck because I don't want him to start. I figure I will have to replace the deck before it quits being a toilet.

[Sandy]

I'm wondering if we power wash it, and then use Thompson's water seal, that would erradicate the scent, and stop the habit.

[Chris & Boys]

I would give it a try - you'll only be out a couple of days labor and a few bucks for the sealer. Beats the alternative.