Marking Advice Please

[Mommy2Max]

The following question has to do with my dog's sexual maturity so - consinder this a forwarning. :)

I think Max just started marking but, I'm not sure so I'm asking you your opinion.

Some facts:

Max - male mini LD - 17 weeks old - testicles have descended - he mounts/ "humps" everything and nothing (yes - even air)

My vet wants to neuter him @ 6 months. I asked him if we could do it earlier because I'm afraid he'll start marking but, he didn't really entertain the idea.

This evening Max was playing with his stuffed toy cow which included "humping" and I saw him crouch over it and urinate on it. I was kind of shocked. He had gone potty not too long before that. So, I don't think he had to go potty but, I could be wrong. I wasn't too happy the last time he had an accident so - He is either marking his territory or he didn't want to make mommy mad.

What do you think?

~Danielle

PS - It wasn't a lot of pee.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Get him neutered now!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Lucca started marking at around the same time and lifting his leg but never in the house. We had him neutered at around 5 months. It's been much better. We have noticed a big change in him. He had way too much testosterone!! The only thing he tries to hump now is ME which is a dominance thing!!!

[Mommy2Max]

He isn't lifting his leg yet so, would that mean he isn't marking?

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Combination of maturing and dominance

I would get him neutered right away and if you havent already started training I would enroll in a training class ASAP.

I have adult male breeding dogs that live in my house and they do not show this behavior unless I have a girl in heat and even then they are not air humping or mounting stuffed animals (only other dogs). This is because we have an established pack order in our house.

Some things to do to establish pack order

1. When you come home from work, totally ignore your dog for the first 5-10 minutes. Do not
look at the dog. Do not blow kisses to the dog. Do not talk to the dog. Let me know if you need me
to clarify this.

2. Do not make any big deal of comings or goings from your property

3. Always eat first, and feed the dogs after you have eaten. Do not feed your dog from the table.

4. You must, must, must go to basic obedience and socialization classes. These must be based
on positive reward only.

5. Do not let your dog on your bed or on your couch. There is nothing wrong with restricting
your dog from certain rooms in the house.

6. For 10 minute sessions at a time, put your dog in a crate and ignore them, or tie their leash
to a post or similar for 10 minutes and ignore them. Do this at least 3 times weekly for the first 12
weeks, and then every so often. Do not look at the dog. Do not blow kisses to the dog. Do not talk
to the dog. Let me know if you need me to clarify this.

7. Exercise your dog every single day. They must have more than walking. Teaching them to
retrieve is the absolute first "trick" you must teach. Then they can do lots of running, which they
need to get every day.

8. Absolutely the dog is part of your family, but everyone else in your family must be higher in
the pecking order than them (yes, even your partner must be higher than them!)

9. Do NOT carry your puppy or dog around.

10. Ensure all guests and family members follow all the rules as listed above.
Now tick these off and let me know which ones you CAN'T or are NOT prepared to do, and we'll
problem solve those together.

[Mommy2Max]

I'm guilty of number 1, 5 (sofa) and number 9 when he was too small to make the stairs to outside but, I don't carry him anymore.

Thanks for the advice!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Good luck!

I am confident that training and establishing pack order will help

[Mommy2Max]

One more question - if I may?

How much walking should he get?

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

OH this is debatable... it really depends on the dog.

When the weather is nice I take a daily walk of 2 miles, I sometimes take a puppy along with, the puppies can usually make it a mile, I plop them in the bottom of my sons stroller so that I can finish. I have also had pups that can only make it 5 minutes. It will also depend on your pace.

My big dogs love the 2 mile walk and really do well when walked daily, anything shorter and they tend to still have energy to burn.

[Mommy2Max]

Update: Max is getting neutered this coming Wednesday.

I have noticed lately that he is becoming more picky about where he goes potty. Would this have anything to do with marking? He always marked around the perimeter of our property but, he is really wanting to go to the front yard or a very specific place in our yard. He'll pull on his leash to try to get there.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

another dog may be using his front yard as his potty and your dog is trying to defend his property! :) That behavior may not stop.

[Mommy2Max]

Makes a lot of sense!

[Stella]

It could be worse, I was at the dogpark today and saw a male dog lift his leg and pee all over his owner!! I don't know what that says about the respect he has for her, but it can't be good!!!