Marking!

Hi everyone! Our sweet little female corgi, Nibbler, did some marking today. She is 8 months old and fully potty trained. She hasn't done this in our house. She did it twice today, once at my boyfriend's grandparent's house and also at a friends house. We were absolutely shocked and it happened so quickly that we didn't have a chance to intervene. Is this a phase? Any advice?

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Permalink Reply by Joanna Kimball on December 24, 2009 at 3:49am

If she sidled up to something and lifted her leg against it (and female dogs DO), she was marking. If she was dribbling or ran and hid and you came in to find a puddle, she probably has a UTI. It makes them feel like they have to pee all the time and they have a very hard time holding it. So before you worry about marking, run her in to the vet for a quick check, especially if you notice that she's peeing more than once outside (in other words, peeing, walking a while, peeing again, walking, peeing a few drops, etc.).

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on December 24, 2009 at 8:01am

relapse at that age is normal, when you visit a new place, introduce her where is appropriate before entering the house.

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on December 24, 2009 at 10:42am

I agree with the others but also sometimes the new places have a spot that was not de-scented (use a special cleaner on urine) from another dog and yours will smell it and think it is OK. Also if she was having fun or was confused about how to ask how to go out in a different house accidents happen too.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on December 24, 2009 at 11:20am

When Jack was 8 months old and "fully potty trained" I brought in my Christmas tree and he peed on it. *sigh*

With all the excitement, they can forget themselves. That was Jack's last accident inside, ever. Also not all dogs fully understand that housebreaking means no peeing inside, anywhere; they may think it means no peeing in their own house or houses they frequent.

Just keep her leashed in strange places and keep an eye so you can give calm "no" if she does it, so she understands. And as Joanna mentions, watch for signs of a UTI.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on December 24, 2009 at 11:22am

I think they have said it all and very well.

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Permalink Reply by Mary on December 24, 2009 at 5:32pm

Thanks for the replies. I'll elaborate a little bit. These are all places she has been several times before and she has never had a problem. And she didn't lift her leg, actually, so we will keep an eye on her in case she does have a UTI. However she has not gone potty in the house today. And the first time she did it, we took her outside and she did eventually go potty. The second time she didn't. Also, she didn't let out a full potty, just a little bit.
I will bring an enzyme cleaner with me when we go to friend's houses today. I think both homes we went to had or have had dogs in them, but I don't think they know about using enzyme cleaner on urine so it doesn't give dogs the "go ahead".
Thank you very much for bringing the UTI to my attention Joanna. I didn't even think about it. Our cat would get UTIs very easily and one of the first signs was dribbling without making it to her litter box.
I will keep an eye on it.