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View Full Version : Dogs out marking each other


tooeebarber
Mar 3, 2007, 06:55 PM
We have 2 Miniature pinchers, both males, both fixed. They keep peeing in the house, out marking each other.
I suggested that they stay outside all day while we are at work, however we have another female dog that is over twenty years old and it would not be fair to her to be locked in the house all day while the other two are outside. We have a doggie door but they keep lifting their legs on the furniture, on corners of walls, etc.
Do you have any suggestions that we help?

labman
Mar 3, 2007, 07:13 PM
If you put 2 dogs of the same sex together that both have a high drive for dominance, you may have problems. There may not be a good solution to this. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete (http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/) For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm) A better pack structure may, or may not make much difference.

One alternative would be doggy day care. After supervised play with other dogs all day, you might be able control their reduced energy levels.