Marking in a New Home

Question: We have 2 miniature dachsies. 6 & 7. About a year ago we moved into a new house and have a 2 year old and a new baby. Both dogs are house trained. The previous owners did a bad job of cleaning up after their 2 dogs and cat and the carpeting has areas where pet smell is very strong. Shortly after we moved in the younger dog began to "mark" in the house. He usually does it when no one is around. I am wondering if it has to do with the previous animal smell, although the older dog does not do this. He does seem to mope around a lot and I also wonder if because he often marks the childrens toys, blankets, etc. it has something to do with jealousy or territorialism. We try to give the dogs just as much attention as we can. I appreciate your response. The dogs are contained during the day when no one is home and they don't seem to mind. What can I do to stop the dog from marking?

Answer: Changing homes and other environmental changes can cause dogs to mark. I do have a few suggestions.

First, continue to keep them contained when no one is home.

You might consider getting some belly bands to put on them when you are home. Belly bands are just bands that go around male dogs waists so that IF they mark, it goes in the band. In my experience, they tend to mark less with the band on, meaning that with the band on they just don't do it, not that they do it in the band. So, this might be a good idea. If there are certain things they always mark, pick them up when you aren't supervising (unless they are too big to move like furniture).

You can also use time outs for marking. When you see him mark (you must see him doing it or it won't work) you say the words "uh-oh, time out" while he is marking then put him in a time out for 5 minutes. The time out can be in a crate, in a pen or on a tether. The real key is rewarding him everytime he doesn't mark. So, if he walks by something he typically used to mark and then doesn't, I would reward that.