How do I deal with a male dog who marks?

Question

My two year old male Shih Tzu never marked in the house until our female came into heat. I did not know that he would mark in the house or I would not have let them breed, I would have gotten him fixed a long time ago. After her heat he stopped marking in the house, but now that she has had the puppies he has started marking again. I know that if I get him neutered there is a chance that he will still mark, but I am hoping that is a slim chance. He has also changed from a sweet family pet to a mean dog who snapps at our children and growls every time anyone but my husband goes around him. Does anyone know for certain if his attitude will change after he is neutered? And after we get both of them fixed will that help his urge to mark in the house? Please help me, I just can't deal with this problem anymore but I would never get rid of him, he's part of our family. Please give me some ideas on how to change this devil back into our sweet boy.

Answer 1

Definitely get him neutered! Some dogs do continue to mark after being neutered but they are in the minority. Getting both dogs fixed will increase your chances of solving this problem. Neutering also helps with some aggressive behavior. Good luck and have fun with all those cute puppies!

***Came back and what the heck? I call my daughter a little devil all the time because she is. It is understandable to be frustrated by this situation and no one should try to make you feel bad for looking for advice.***

Answer 2

As you said, neutering at this age may not change anything, because now this is a habit. However, since the dog marks when the female is in heat or has puppies, neutering both is likely to work. Eg. my dog marks when he sees another male pass by, so if I put him in a room where he can see no other male pass by, then he dosn't mark.
About the growling, you must establish a hierarchy in the house. Consult a good trainer, NO VIOLENCE MUST BE USED, or it will get worse. Neutering calms them down anyway, but after 4-6 months.

Answer 3

I had the same problem with me Dachshund, but as soon the heat was over and the pups had left the house he went back to normal. It has to do with the hormones that are produced in the dog while she is in heat and pups are around. It is normal for a dog to do this. If you get him neutered and not her, he should not make the house as the hormones will not be made. However, when the pups are born, you will need to keep him away from the pups as the mother will not accept him around and the pups could get injured.

Answer 4

There are just so many issues here. First he should have been neutered long ago and marking is just one of the reasons. It is also better for his health. Intact males tend to get testicular cancer later in life. Then there is the whole pet overpopulation thing. Here is some greay info in case you are not aware of the facts. Are you not aware that there are 15 dogs born for every one human? http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.cause&cgid=1&rgid=2&stid=10

Are you not aware that there are millions of dogs killed every year because of not enough homes? http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost/voices/voi.valdyke.animal.html

Are you not aware that only 1 dog in 10 gets a permanent home? www.safehavenforcats.com/main.htm

Are you not aware that one female and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in just six years? http://www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com/SpayNeuter/didyouknow.html

That coupled with the health benefits of spay/neuter WHY would you breed your dog? www.sniksnak.com/benefits.html

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/myths_and_facts_about_spaying_and_neutering.html

Answer 5

Well We used to have a dog like that well two dogs both of them were like your dog now. we got them both fixed. Blue was one of them he calmed down he was alot better. but sadley to say we had to put JoJo the other one down because he bit my sister and she ended up havin to say in the hospital for a few weeks. My sister is only 5 years old. So I hate to tell you this but there is a 50% chance that it will work and a 50% chance that it wont. If I were you I would go talk to a vet about it.

Answer 6

are you a reputable breeder?shouldn't breed if not, and getting him neutered will stop him marking this is why they do it to mark there territory.

the reason he has changed is if you had him first then brought in another dog got her pregnant had puppies and he is being ignored.what do you expect the poor fella to do

Answer 7

get him neutered. as soon as u can. males will always do tht unless they get fixed. he also marks coz he feels threatened about the puppies, either coz they could replace him, or coz he is marking to protect them. but the best way to solve this prob is get them fixed.

good luck

Answer 8

First off, don't listen to ms. PETA up there-we all know you weren't calling your pup lucifer! Anyway, getting him fixed is the only way to solve your problem. It shouldn't cost too much-as long as he is up to date on shots and there are no issues in surgery, you are looking at no more than 150.00

Answer 9

First of all, no dog is a "devil." Do you refer to your kids as "devils" when they do something wrong? This is a difficult time for the poor baby. Be more understanding. Every dog is an individual, with feelings. If you can't "deal" with it, give him to someone who will love and care for him. How horrible.

Answer 10

thats terrible i had the same problem