New dog owner and I have questions??

[Jill]

My family and I have recently fostered a dog until we see if him and the cat are going to get along. I keep the dog in the back porch at night (I keep him in with a safety gate). Any way my question is I took the dog out this morning to relieve himself and he went 4 times in 4 different places (including my slipper then when he came inside he tried to pee on my wall. Do all dogs go in several different places all the time? Or will this stop? I know nothing about the dog he was picked up as a stray. My husband thinks he is about 2 years old. ANY SUGGESTIONS!

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!!!!!!!!

[ October 07, 2003, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Dawn ]

[fullhouse9873]

Is he neutered? If not - he could be marking his territory.

[Jill]

Oh!! ok I didn't know that they had to be fixed in order for them not to mark their spots!!
He will be fixed SOON!!!!!
Thank You!

[Dawn]

Umm..that will help. If he is that old though and he's been allowed to do it, it will not automatically eliminate the problem. You will have to continue working with him.

[hilliary]

Yes, especially if it is an un-neutered male.

[lou3]

neutering doesnt always work (my fixed FEMALE still marks - but not in the house) but will help a lot. All dogs will go in several places, its just a question of teaching them that clothes and inside the house are not "their" territory but yours so they have no right to mark there.
Lou

[fullhouse9873]

Chance marks his territory at every single tree, bush, post or fire hydrant. After the first couple he runs out - but he still lifts his leg. He knows he can do it outside as much as he wants - just not in the house.

[Lou]

Originally posted by fullhouse9873:
Chance marks his territory at every single tree, bush, post or fire hydrant. After the first couple he runs out - but he still lifts his leg. He knows he can do it outside as much as he wants - just not in the house.

I had to chuckle at this. Reminds me of our old pal, Rebel (choc. lab male).. you would have thought he was a camel, with unlimited capacity for fluids. He marked with "air" but he was not going to leave anything he hadn't at least attempted to let it be known he had been there! Boys will be boys.. God love 'em. NEVER had a problem in the house. Just takes being watchful for a while and catching them in the act and then directing them to the correct behavior... and then make a fool of yourself with the praise for doing it right! They'll catch on.... again, consistency in the training.