Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi and thank you in advance for your help.

My father-in-law recently adopted a stray that wondered up on Christmas day. "Nick" is a St. Bernard/Lab. (or anybody's guess). He is a wonderful dog,well behaved, gentle and a joy to be around. He does have a small issue, whenever he is around another animal, he marks all of the time. They took him to their house in Wisconsin which is currently occupied by my worthless brother-in-law and his cat. Every time they left the house, Nick would go urinate in the cat's food. Truthfully, I found this to be pretty funny and further proof that he was a fine dog. However, my wife recently took our Staffy, Mabel, to visit and she and Nick got along fabuously. She is dominant, so I was a little surprised but very pleased. However, Nick "marked" the house constantly. My f-i-l thinks that because Nick was abandoned, he is very territorial and terrified that he will be booted out by another pet. Is there any good solution to this problem? He is altered.
Any help would be greatfully appreciated.

Also, Mabel is about 18 mos. old and is slowly but surely becoming a great dog, however, she seems to be getting a little more headstrong. Is this just a stage or is this an indication of her "adult" temperment?

Thanks again.

JW

Also, Mabel is about 18 mos. old and is slowly but surely becoming a great dog, however, she seems to be getting a little more headstrong. Is this just a stage or is this an indication of her "adult" temperment?

I would think the latter. The phrase "bull-headed" didn't come from thin air!

As to the marking, some of it might be decreased by using a cleaner to eliminate the odor of prior pees. But it does seem as if this boy is making a statement, dog-style. MY place, DARNED cat! etc. Try to catch him in the act and remove him outside. Correct him "NO!" while in the act and take him outside and underline "Outside, yes" Not here - out there is your rule. Never mind his wanting to claim the territory, tick off the cat. (Someone jump in here and bail me out before I drown....)

It's late and I really shouldn't be posting when I'm half-asleep.

Tasha

About your dog, she won't be fully mature in the head until she is about 24 months old. Then she should be pretty much there if now there. Why the dog is doing that is anyones guess. It could be that he was an outside dog to begin with and they decied to bring him in after adoption. Maybe he feels more at home outside. Being part lab and bernard I think it would rather be outside where he could mark all the time without any problems. Then let him in the house when you could supervise it....

I do know labs, and they are puppyish until about four, often. But they housebreak quite well and thoroughly. Only had one Saint and it was a girl, so I can't really speak to that.

Tasha

When you talk about your girl getting headstrong, it sounds as if she's testing you. She's getting to that age where she's pushing her boundries and seeing what she can get away with. As a human teenager would as for later curfew, your pup is trying to see what you will let her do.

Just stay firm and consistant and this should pass. She will respect you as the alpha in the pack that is your family and she will be happier in her place.