She is a marker!!

[breezy]

So we took Cowgirl up to my brother's house on the 4th to "visit". They have a male doxie who is about 2-3. I can't remember for sure. Now Cowgirl is 4 1/2.

Anyway, she peed twice and pooped once on their carpet within about 20 minutes. We'd had her out between the peeing and pooping on the chain in their back yard for 30 minutes. My daughter went out with her and said she did both outside. So we let her back in and the poop started.

What's with that? I truly think she is a "marker" and since we've only had her a couple months, I don't know if this can be trained out of her or not? I'm frustrated because we go to our folks houses on weekends a lot and now I can't take her because of this. I was hoping to be able to travel with her. Any suggestions?

[dcole]

Was she pooping (inside) where the male doxie might have gone?

When we first got Trevor, he pooped a couple of times right where our old Am. Eskimo had had some accidents on the carpet. Even though it was cleaned well (or so I thought) Trevor went right to that spot. This was after he was otherwise potty trained.

The upside is once we were aware of the spot he was going to normal potty training procedures applied ( watch closely, catch him right "before" the act, say no, take him outside to a designated spot, etc., etc. ) It took about a month but he eventually stopped going to that spot. So yes, I think there is hope for Cowgirl! +CGIRL+

[Jespah]

Was this her first visit? The pooping and peeing inside could have been nerves or excitement. I'm not sure if they mark by pooping - peeing yes.

It could have been a one-off situation - here's hoping, like Debi said, apply regular house training routines and she may be fine. You did the right thing by emptying her out as best you could first. Hopefully, your borther will be patient and allow her to come back and give her another chance.

[breezy]

Yes, it was her first visit there. I know she was probably nervous and excited. I expected a bit of trouble. But 3 times . . . well, that was embarassing. And all so close. I've noticed when she pees that she just squirts a bit . . .on purpose. So I know that's marking. The pooping surprised me.

I know their doxie is house broken but has and I think does sometimes have accidents. But I wouldn't have expected Cowgirl to find every single spot!! They clean with pet odor/stain spray and a SpotBot.

I'm concerned because my MIL and my dad have dogs, but not my mom. So there are dog smells at MOST of the houses we'd take her to. They'd be WAY unappreciative of her marking. And I hate to keep her kenneled. I just wonder if because I haven't had her since a pup if that is what's making the difference, because she's definately the Alpha Female, and has been mostly and outside dog.

[breezy]

any more suggestions anyone?

I had her in the house last evening, and she peed in my living room. :SHOCKED: She stays in all night and doesn't have an issue, so now I'm lost as to what she's up to.

Maybe I should treat her as a new pup and totally start over with training, since she's been with so many owners. I bet she's a bit confused. How would you all do that?

[Jespah]

I think it might be wise to have her checked for a bladder infection or UTI.

Yes, in the meantime, I think you are right - start training again, get her back in a routine or whatever manner you did it in the first place.

[dcole]

I agree with Deb; rule out any medical reason first, then return to training.

[taflar]

So we took Cowgirl up to my brother's house on the 4th to "visit". They have a male doxie who is about 2-3. I can't remember for sure. Now Cowgirl is 4 1/2.

Anyway, she peed twice and pooped once on their carpet within about 20 minutes. We'd had her out between the peeing and pooping on the chain in their back yard for 30 minutes. My daughter went out with her and said she did both outside. So we let her back in and the poop started.

What's with that? I truly think she is a "marker" and since we've only had her a couple months, I don't know if this can be trained out of her or not? I'm frustrated because we go to our folks houses on weekends a lot and now I can't take her because of this. I was hoping to be able to travel with her. Any suggestions?

Dogs use urine for marking. The pooping is an "accident" or the result of a dog not sure where she's supposed to go potty. Maybe she didn't go when she should have outside. Too busy getting to know the other dog or new place maybe.

Peggy

[taflar]

I think it might be wise to have her checked for a bladder infection or UTI.

Yes, in the meantime, I think you are right - start training again, get her back in a routine or whatever manner you did it in the first place.

Terriffic advice.

As for housebreaking an older dog you do it the same way you would a puppy, the good thing is they should be able to hold it longer. So out after sleeping, meals, play and any time you think she should go out. TAKE her out and make sure you see her potty. If she does not potty when out she goes in her crate. Wait a half hour or so and try again. She only earns the privlege to be loose in the house once she's pottied outside.

And remember the praise when she goes where she should!

Peggy

[breezy]

thanks, Peggy. I will give it a try.

I ran her up to that house again a couple of days ago when I went to get a thing my daughter left there. I took her in on her leash. She acted like she wanted to sniff around to go, but I didn't let her. We were just there about minutes, and she and Jar Jar (the doxie) sniffed about each other. Then we left.

I praised her for being good. I'll try her there again sometime when I have more time to deal with it and see how it goes.

[MVons]

Maybe when you visit your mom, you can bring a crate. Chester had to be crated a lot when my Step dad's health was declining. We couldn't risk Chester jumping on him if he wasn't watched every minute, and then there were the dropped tissues Chester thought were tasty.

Make sure the other homes use something more than soap to clean up. Nature's miracle has a great spray bottle that worked for us. Chester didn't go to any of Pepper's old spots, and there were quite a few at the end of her illness.