Dog keeps marking territory, should we get him fixed?

Question

My boyfriend and I have a Pekapoo that is a little over a year old. We decided when he was a puppy not to get him fixed because we didn't think it was necessary since he would not be in contact with other dogs who could reproduce. We have been having a problem with taking him to other houses because he will pee on furniture. This is our first dog and we have no idea what to do. My boyfriend's parents told us to get him fixed, but will that solve the problem? I don't want to spend money on an operation if it's not going to fix anything.

Answer 1

Yes, it will help, and it will also keep him healthier. He will be less stressed, from not dreaming about 'girls'. And it eliminates any chance of several types of cancers.

Answer 2

Definitely get him neutered. This usually helps - especially done in younger dogs. The sooner the better. There are also other benefits as well. Keeping him home for one. Just because you plan to keep him home does not guarantee that he won't sneak out for a night on the town. There are health benefits as well. Your pet is still very young and has a lot to learn. Once you have him neutered, it would be good to find an obedience class that you can attend together. It would be a good bonding experience and you can learn all sorts of useful hints to deal with common puppy owner problems.

Answer 3

Neutering used to be the 'safe' option for a long time. Whether your dog was over excitable, urinated indoors etc. But it doesn't seem to be now because there is a good alternative ....Also and because, quite often, should the dog not change ... Owners would believe they had done 'everything' it didn't work, so the problem was with the dog and ... Ended up getting rid of their dog.

You should get in touch with a dog psychologist aka canine behaviourist. He/she will come to your house, watch the dog acting in his own environment and in your case, maybe visit a friend/family with your dog to see how he interacts there as well! Solutions will be offered to you, but only after watching the dog, how he reacts, also what you do/say when he does.

Dogs will always be territorial, it is in their nature but this doesn't make urinating in other people's homes acceptable. The basis of dog psychology (Canine behaviour) is to discourage bad behaviour while rewarding good behaviour.

I haven't met your dog, haven't met you with your dog but it seems to me that his urinating when visiting could be triggered by a few factors, from over over excitibility to fear, maybe feeling left out etc.

I totally agree with you when you state you do not wish to spend money on a procedure, not unless you know for sure that it will work. So try asking your vet for your nearest behaviourist because he/she will be able to give to tell why your dog acts as he does while also giving you answers and ways in which you can discourage him from doing so and change his behaviour so that taking him with you remains a pleasure, not a worry

Best wishes

Answer 4

Well it could fix the problem but then again it may not since he has developed this as a behavior. It is a smart thing to get him neutered if you are not going to breed him. Later in life he may develop problems with being unneutered, such as cancer and diseases.
If money is an issue there are many clinics and shelters that will do it for a low cost or even free.

Answer 5

Dog still mark their territory after they have been fixed (unlike male cats who usually stop). The problem is in properly house breaking your dog. You need to make sure he had been properly house broken at home and be attentive to his needs while you are visiting.

Also, neutering has more benefits that just keeping down the pet population. Some benefits include:

• Reduces the distracting and destructive behavior associated with the male's efforts to get out and find a mate

• Reduces the urge to roam. This makes it less likely that you will lose your pet, which in turn makes your pet less likely to contract a disease, get in a fight, get injured, or become a victim to cruelty, poison, or traffic.

• Eliminates sexual discomfort, distress, or distraction ... making your pet happier and more content.

• Eliminates testicular tumors and reduces prostate gland problems.

• Reduces the urge to fight.

Answer 6

Neutering a dog will help a dog not to mark if it's done when he's immature. But if the dog has already begun this behavior, neutering probably won't make a difference. You might want to check with an obedience trainer for a training solution.

Answer 7

That will absolutely help with the problem. Not only that, neutering him will prevent him from getting testicular cancer and keep him healthier overall. Some dogs will continue to mark after being neutered because it has become a habit and you may have to work with him to modify that behavior. Believe me, the money you'll spend is a great investment.

Answer 8

Neutering will make it *easier* to train him not to mark, since you will then only be dealing with a habit and not with hormones as well. It will not eliminate the problem on its own, though, you will still need do do remedial housebreaking, since the behavior has gone on long enough to become a habit. It also takes a few months after neutering for the hormones to fade away.

Answer 9

Get him fixed immediately!! It is worth doing, even if sometimes that doesn't solve the problem on its own. You probably have to do some training as well, but he won't stop unless you get him fixed.

Answer 10

You should go dogchannel.com and ask the vet - he's a great resource and a pro! His name is Jon Geller, DVM. They are actually relaunching their site and you can call in and leave a voice mail and they will read it on the web next week for you.