Can you help my roommates dog Buddy?

Question

Dear Barking Mad,
Recently I have moved into a home with a good friend of mine whom has a small dog named Buddy. My roommate is obsessed with Buddy and she fulfills his every want and if Buddy does something that is incorrect she doesn't punish him in any way. I also own a small dog, Wilbur, Buddy and Wilbur are the best of friends, but Buddy has decided that the entire house belongs to him and has begun marking it with his own scent. Within the past two weeks he has marked my clothing, my bed, my roommates clothing, our couches, an indoor tree, my roommates golf bag, my laptop in its bag, my roommate laptop in its bag, the two rugs, all of the boxes that I used to move, and hopefully we will find any other items that have been marked soon! Adding to the constant marking of entire house, Buddy feels that the trash is also his as every time we leave our home he knocks over the trash can scattering all of the garbage across the house, he also hides trash in our blankets, under the couch and even in our beds. Buddy also constantly barks if anyone new comes into the house and then he begins to pee on everything again marking his territory. Buddy’s actions are killing my love life being that my boyfriend lives in Pocatello Idaho which is four hours away from Boise which is where we reside. Buddy will never have a chance to get to know him well enough to not bark at him all night. On top of killing my love life we have one of the cutest houses on the entire block, but we can never host a party or have guests without also renting a carpet cleaner along with some ear plugs. I have been an avid watcher of your show and I have seen you work magic with other pets like Buddy. Can you help us? We are in the United States and I understand that you are mainly in the UK, but we desperately need your help.
Ear and noses plugged in Idaho,
Erica Slayton

Answer 1

I think you need to get rid of Buddy. If your roommate can't part with the little pee machine, then tell her she can go also. I think your dog will get over the loss of Buddy if they were to leave. I also think that your dog, house, and love life will thank you in the end. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Sounds like it is an owner problem, not a dog problem.

Don't know what kind of dog it is, that would help, some breeds have more behavioral problems than others.

As far as the marking goes, the dog sounds like he thinks he is the alpha male. Sometimes dogs do that when the owner is "weak" - the dog thinks he is the boss. Same thing with the constant barking at people in the house - the dog thinks he needs to protect the people.

I'd recommend both you and your roommate work with a dog trainer to improve your dog handling skills. Most "dog-training" turns out to be "people-training" - like how to interact with your dog in a way that the dog respects and obeys you.

Are you sure the urination is "marking" and not a sign of an infection? The dog may just not be able to hold it.

I'd recommend putting the dog in a plastic solid bottom kennel when you leave the house. That would at least stop the marking when you aren't there. Dogs generally will work really hard not to urinate in a kennel - they don't want to sit in their own urine any more than you or I would.

I'd also get a Coke can and fill it with pennies. Everytime the dog starts to pee, rattle the can. The dog won't like it.

Or you could go old school, and when the dog pees, grab him by the collar, drag him over to the puddle, stick his nose in it, say "NO" firmly, swat him on the backside, and put him outside. Stay outside with him. When he eventually piddles outside, say "GOOD BOY!", give him a treat, and a big old hug.

Again, I don't think Buddy is the problem, I think that y'all aren't doing a good job of setting expectations for him. He's a dog. He doesn't know you're not supposed to piddle in the house, or bark at people, or knock over trash. That's your job to teach him.

Answer 3

As for the territory marking... he needs to learn that its not acceptable I'm not saying punish him but tell him no firmly and stick to it this will only work if you catch him doing it because if u find it an hour later he may not remember what he did? As for the garbage he needs to be told no as well. Point to the garbage and say NO! and he should get the idea... As for the barking... sorry

Answer 4

first off buddy needs to be neutered asap if he isn't already, then i really think a proffesional trainer will be in order, not only to train buddy but to train your friend that you can still love and spoil your dog and have a well behaved dog. really your friend is only hurting buddy by not correcting this behavior...especially getting into garbage! he could seriously harm himself by doing that, we actually had to but baby locks on our cupboard under the sink where our garbage went cause my spaniel was always opening the cupboard and pulling out the garbage.

Answer 5

you should copy this and send it to "Barking Mad" or send one to "The Dog Whisperer" in the USA. His name is Cesar Millan and I believe he has a show on TV on the National Geographic Channel. He's amazing with dogs. Go to these websites:
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/

Answer 6

You need to move out

Answer 7

get buddy a "belly band". they work wonders for male dogs. find them on ebay...

Answer 8

i would start your dog in a training class