Our 6-year-old housebroken Jackapoo (Jack Russell and poodle mix) started peeing in the house again when a family member started working again, leaving just me and the dog in the house on weekdays. Is there any way I can get him to stop marking his territory?

Also, he's not neutered.

Of course, getting him neutered will help him live longer and cancer free. A vet check is in order to rule out a uti or something else. He may be suffering from separation anxiety. He isn't marking his territory, I'm betting.

Neutering will definitely help.

Sounds like he doesn't like the change in his schedule (the family member working). He's showing his displeasure.

Starting from scratch is in order. You need to retrain him to potty. Since he's older, and was potty trained, this won't be that difficult. When he potties inside, a firm no, and take him outside. Use a potty word (I use potty time) and wait until he goes outside. When he does, tons of praise, a treat, huge party, what a good dog!

He needs to realize that just because he's not happy, doesn't mean that the rules aren't still in place. But, do take him to the vet just to make sure this isn't a UTI, or something medical. Then, if he's healthy, start retraining.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Of course, getting him neutered will help him live longer and cancer free. A vet check is in order to rule out a uti or something else. He may be suffering from separation anxiety. He isn't marking his territory, I'm betting.

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WG, separation anxiety usually manifests in crying, freaking out, severe behavior issues, mostly excessive barking. This marking doesn't sound like separation anxiety at all.

I do agree that this is most likely due to the change in the household, but not due to separation anxiety. The fact that he isn't neutered may also be a huge factor.

My question would be this. Is the person that went back to work male? Is he the dominant male in this dogs life? With that person absent, it's entirely possible that this un-neutered male is marking in order to gain status, take the place of the dominant male that's no longer in the house as often.

My advice in my first post still stands. :)

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Originally Posted by Alty

WG, separation anxiety usually manifests in crying, freaking out, severe behavior issues, mostly excessive barking. This marking doesn't sound like separation anxiety at all.

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Hey, I'm just a cat person, after all. My cats pee when feeling separation anxiety. :)

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Hey, I'm just a cat person, after all. My cats pee when feeling separation anxiety. :)

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It wasn't a bad guess WG. Not at all. I just don't think that's what's going on here.

I do agree that this person going back to work has precipitated this behavior, but not because of separation anxiety. More as a way to get ahead in the pack. When the dominant dog is no longer around, others will vie for position. Since the rest of the members aren't dominant, this dog is vying for position. I'd bet on it. He's starting by marking his territory, so that the former dominant leader knows he's taking over.

Simply reinforcing the rules, and cutting off one of the main issues, literally (a neuter), will set things back to the way they were. :)

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Originally Posted by Alty

-snip-

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No, the family member that went back to work is female.