Deaf dog suddenly peeing on me and my partner - help!

[lennysmummy]

Hello all,

We have a beautiful 16 month old jack russell called Lenny - up until the last month we've muddled through quite happily, training him basic commands and keeping him on a lead during walks etc.

We moved house in February which Lenny seemed to adapt well to, he was a little more clingy but nothing serious and he seemed happy. About three weeks ago, Lenny appeared to have a personality transplant. Our kind and loving pup turned into an aggressive little dog, barking and snarling at anyone and everyone, jumping up constantly and then peeing all over me and my partner (even when he's just had a walk or the door is open to the garden).

The vets have checked him over and he's completely healthy so we're sure there is no underlying health reason for this.

Two weeks ago we took him to be castrated. Obviously its too soon to know if this will have any effect or not but the peeing has stepped up a notch (he's now doing it on our bed and on us at least 3 times a day) and Im starting to despair. Im almost 8 months pregnant and exhausted from the constant washing and scrubbing of clothes and carpets etc and worried my newborn will become another 'toilet' for troublesome Lenny.

I absoutely do not want to re home him, I am willing to try anything before we do this. He's one of the family and Im not prepared to just give up on the little fella but Im in tears again over this and I know something needs to give. Any help or advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Rosie33]

Oh, poor you, no wonder you're at your wits end.

Although Lenny appeared to adapt well to the house move, it seems very likely that's what's behind this change in him. It sounds as though he's feeling very insecure and has gone into overdrive with his scent marking around his new 'territory'.

All you can do really is give him time to settle in his new surroundings. Having him castrated will help once his hormones have settled down and that could take a month or two. He will be far less inclined to scent mark.

Try to keep him in a very strict routine, to make him feel secure, and let him out as often as you can.

If you clean where he's weed with bicarbonate of soda in hot water, it will remove any smell. x

 

[KateandSam]

I agree with Susan , most likely the combination of the two events, the house move and the castration have un nerved him and made him feel insecure . As said, it can take a while for the effects of castration to be seen , so yes, routine is vital as he needs to feel safe and secure . I do feel for you , it must be very hard indeed x

 

[Nomad]

I don't know if it works or if it even has a smell that humans can detect but you can buy a spray - I can't remember the name of it or the brand name, that is meant to stop cats and dogs urinating on whatever you spray it on, from memory it was closer to being a tenner than a fiver so it is not cheap. Pets@Home sell it - which is where I saw it in with the training aids.

nomad