Help! 2 older bishons won't stop marking in house!

[jss56]

I have 2 male bichons ages 13 & 12 and have had trouble with them marking in the house ever since they turned about 1 & 1/2 years old. They both were spade at 4 months old, which I was told might help them not to do so much marking, but it did not help. If any one has suggestions I would be glad to hear them. Thanks jss 56

[Lee at Delayre]

After more than 11 years of letting them mark in the house , it is a little late. I you have new furniture or rug and this is why you need them housebroken
I would suggest a puppy playpen and gates to keep them in an area where if they piddle it wont matter. If you take them into an area that you don't want marked do so only on leash New rugs are only covering up 11 years of urine which the dogs still will smell and mark .

[Deaf Dogs]

There are doggie diapers that you can use. The one for boys is called a belly band. it's a strap that you put around their bellies, over the end of their penis. inside the band you put a sanitary napkin, so it absorbs the urine. it will stop the urine from getting on the furniture or carpets. Sometimes the dog will stop marking, just because it's useless, but I wouldn't expect that to happen. Your dogs have been marking a long time.

[MaryAnn]

Are you cleaning the area with special enzymatic cleaner specifically designed to remove pet urine?

Next time, watch them as as they get in the stance to pee...make a loud distracting noise and immediately take them outside.

[Janbeach]

My 14 year old Yorkie (Bosco) died at 14 years of age...no problems with him marking. However, the 8 yr. old Yorkie (Biscuit) constantly marked, on the floor & furniture legs. After Bosco died, Biscuit quit marking inside. I think it was having 2 males together. I now have a female Yorkie (year old) & she is piddling everywhere. Biscuit still goes outside, unless it's raining....he doesn't like to get wet. I still love them & most of my house is tile now!! You might be surprised if you use a "black light" in your room, with the lights out, but it's not pretty.

[Janbeach]

I have a friend with 3 Yorkies. The diaper worked on the one that wouldn't stop marking.

[Sarah]

Very good point JanBeach. The two males are fighting for territory, and marking is the way it naturally happens.

I would like to ask, are you Bichon's neutered? You treat marking the same way you treat any bahaviour problem. You are apparently not the Alpha in the house, your 2 Bichons take their turns. If you were the Alpha it is YOUR house, YOUR things, and there is no need for marking, because it would be clear to your Bichons, they own nothing, and are grateful for being there,.

I would suggest you clean the areas where they mark with vinegar and water to remove the smell. Then start claiming your furniture to be yours, no one on the furniture, no one in a room without supervision. If you have to get kennels then do so.

I never believe it's to late to train a dog, but I will say you are going to have a fight, because they are use to having their way about things.