Dog marking in the house.

[notwoo]

Have had our rescue lurcher for 7 years now (he's about 8). He had terrible separation anxiety at first and has always had a tendency to mark in the house if stressed when left but it seems to have increased recently to a rate of about once a fortnight.

Have 2 young children (born after we got him) whom he tolerates but tries to avoid. Not aggressive in any way but prefers to be left in peace.

I have found that the marking tends to happen if we leave the house in a rush / chaotic way or if the toddler is crying a lot in the night (obviously we try to avoid these things but can't prevent them altogether)

He hates being confined to a small area so this isn't really an option - he has the run of most of downstairs.

I do all the right things in terms of cleaning it up but he tends to have favoured areas to mark on.

Any ideas? It's really getting me down.

He sounds like a sensitive chap who has a habit to relive himself when feeling a bit stressed. As he is getting older it may be worth getting him checked for a uti. Do you take him for a good walk and play before leaving him and then feed him so that he hopefully zones out when you leave. Also he will have done his piddles on the walk so less in him to wee with in the house. Perhaps a stuffed kong, chew and radio on just to give him something to do or focus on when you are out. Chewing a chew toy may give him physical relief from feeling stressed rather than weeing in the house. Good luck

He certainly is a sensitive soul.
He doesn't always get a walk before we go out but the marking doesn't tend to coincide with this.

We have a kong but haven't used it for a while so will try that again.

It isn't usually much wee-just a token marking but pretty unhygienic all the same!

If it is any consolation, healthy urine is sterile.

As it leaves the body yes! But after a couple of days hiding on the DVD shelf (my latest discovery) not so much!