How can I stop my dog ‘marking’ the flat?

Dear sir,

My dog, a small breed male has been acting very strangely for the past couple of months and I was wondering if you could help me decipher his behaviour. Although he is house-trained he has repeatedly been marking around the house on various upright surfaces and whenever I attempt to tell him off or pick him up to take him outside, he growls at me. Can you help? I love my dog to death but this is unacceptable behaviour.
Marianna, Nicosia

Urine marking is normal, instinctive dog behaviour mostly in males and should not be considered an insult. On the contrary, the dog who urine marks may well be stepping up to offer his life if necessary to protect his pack. Although it is often difficult to assess exactly why male dogs urine mark, it normally has something to do with testosterone that stimulates them. However, the single most effective thing you can do is to have your veterinarian neuter him prior to his forming the habit.

Studies have shown that neutering a dog at any age will help, so it seems that the testosterone of being intact plays a role in urine marking. Donna Kyriacou, dog trainer says that it is also very important as it lowers chances of prostate cancer, an illness apparent in 40 per cent of male dogs. Another way you can eliminate urine marking is by placing a handful of food on the spot where your dog has been marking. Dogs do not eat where they toilet! But in all cases, the dog should not be allowed to roam unsupervised, so confining him to a small area is always a good idea.

Donna Kyriacou: 23-725572 or Stephen Ellis: 99-756076 (Paphos)

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