By Tracy Dewhirst, doctor of veterinary medicine
Dr. Dewhirst,
I have a 3-year-old male sheltie dog. Several months

ago, he started marking the furniture in our living room. We banned him from that room, and now he is marking furniture in another room; how do we stop this behavior?

Martin T.

Martin,

First, it is important to confirm that this is a behavioral issue and not an underlying medical problem. Dogs with urinary tract infections or metabolic diseases will often urinate in inappropriate places. Other behavioral problems, such as excitement urination, separation anxiety or inadequate training, can also lead to house soiling. So a quick consultation with your veterinarian will help pinpoint the exact problem. Jot down notes about when the behavior started and what triggers it each time; this will help your veterinarian determine the cause and treat the problem.

Marking is characterized as a male dog urinating on an upright object in response to territorial stimulus or anxiety. This is typically done on, or around, odors left by other dogs, or as a reaction after seeing or hearing another dog. Identify and remove any stimulus or stress that causes him to mark. Sometimes it can be as simple as closing the drapes so he cannot see a dog outside, but it could require more intervention.

If your pup is not already neutered, you should consider it now. Seventy-80 percent of dogs will stop urine-marking once they are neutered. Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to see the behavior change after surgery. If he is already neutered, then you must work to correct the marking and reward appropriate behavior.

When you catch him in the act, he should be corrected with remote punishment. This means he cannot associate the punishment with you. Do not scold him; this will only create distrust in your relationship. When he marks, make a loud deterring noise; a can filled with coins or a mini air horn may help. Also, remote spray or static correction collars can be helpful; use a low setting to get his attention. The correction must interrupt the behavior but not cause fear. Always reward him when he eliminates in an appropriate location. And lastly, during the training period, he must be closely supervised, so that you can properly correct him. This will require confining him to a small area of the house or crating him while you are away. It is very important that punishment and reward be consistent for several weeks to achieve success.

Tracy Dewhirst is a doctor of veterinary medicine. Send your questions and find more pet information at www. askthevetradio.com.