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We are almost at our wit's end. A week and a half ago our dog got sprayed in our backyard at 5:30AM when H let him out to pee. This came on the heels of having spent a week vacation away with us at Cape Cod, basically stressed out because our grandson was there, as well as their dog. Their dog is definitely the alpha dog, although technically smaller than ours. But I know he was stressed out. We get home on a Saturday, and 18 hours later he was sprayed.

We used our hydrogen peroxide/baking soda/Dawn dish soap concoction, but he still has a slight lingering in one of his ears if you pick it up (he's got floppy ears) and sniff. We took him to the groomer on Friday, and they did their best with whatever they have that's professional, but it somehow got in his ear that we're just going to have to give it some time to dissipate.

But since we got back, he's been marking; we've had to wash sofa cushions, decorative pillows (which are BRAND new), bed pillows, and a BRAND new dog bed I got him before we went on vacation - I got it because he's getting older and needs something different. I've now washed this new bed three times - the second and third times being yesterday and today. He does it when we're gone as well as when we're here at home, so there's no rhyme or reason. He could have just been out, peed, and an hour later I find he peed again. On the other hand, he go through the night without needing to go out, so I don't think it's a matter of him needing to pee... he's just plain marking.

I told H tonight I wonder if this has anything to do with his still having a lingering scent of skunk on him. Is he trying to mark in places that he thinks the smell is coming from, not realizing it's coming from his own ear.

I had him at the vet last Friday for a wellness exam, and everything was fine. They did a stool sample to check for worms and parasites, but did not get a urine sample. I guess in desperation, I could take him back to have them check for that. But it wouldn't be logical since he can go long periods at night without going out.

Ugh, this is so frustrating! Could it just be his way of rebelling after a week in a new house with a toddler and alpha dog, then getting sprayed?

Sorry for the doggie drama that you don't need! I can't speculate on why he's doing this now, other than what you mentioned already. Our oldLab/Shepherd got sprayed several times by skunks he charged, mistaking them for other critters, but he didn't do that. He did reek for days, however.

What breed of dog may be helpful to figure out the behavior. And age/stress etc.

You would need a good enzyme cleaner to clean where he has been marking. And you may want to look into a belly band for him.

I don't want to speculate on what is causing it. Who really knows? We've had males sprayed by skunks before (oh, the story I have on one!) and I've never seen behaviour like this result.

I would definitely get him checked for an infection and kidney function labs to make sure nothing new is going on since this is a new behavior.
Have you seen him marking or is it possible he is leaking when sleeping? This can happen as they get older too, and it that is what it is there is a rx med called Proin and it fixes it.

If it's behavioral then I would order some belly bands from Amazon if it's a male. It prevents them from being able to mark. Take out frequently. Limit water when you can't be available to let out frequently.

Also wanted to add that natures miracle is the best for removing urine from pets. They make both a dog and a cat formula I keep a bottle of both on hand. Since my youngest dog was still having some oopsies when playing and distracted, and I have a cat that is pretty particular on her box being clean, and if it's not up to her standards will use alternative spots, usually on a throw blanket. Both the cat and dog formulas work fantastic to get the odor out.

Sounds to me like he's stressed out. Google confirms that one of the top 5 reasons for marking is stress or anxiety. I would ask the vet for some trazadone or gabapentin for a week or so and see if that helps settle him back into normal.

We have a high anxiety Heeler and he has to be on anxiety meds when there's a disruption to his routine.

ask the vet for some trazadone or gabapentin for a week or so and see if that helps settle him back into normal.

Interesting that you should mention this. We happen to have both on hand! Will give it a try (as I'm currently listening to the washing machine starting up after yet another marking incident on his bed this morning... after he'd been laying in it for a while!).

natures miracle is the best for removing urine from pets

Is this an enzyme cleaner like SackofSorry suggested?

All I've really read about it is that it's not as effective as the concoction we made up to clean him with after the skunk spray.

But it may work differently for urine smells?

I would take him to the vet and rule out any medical issues, especially if he is older.

Nature's Miracle is what I use for pet urine. It's an enzyme cleaner.

I hope you get it figured out.

No advice on the behavior, but I also use Natures miracle when my cats have tangled with skunks. It works. (And you do NOT want to bathe a cat twice… so it has to work!)

Please take himnto the vet. If he was laying in it that seems more like leaking than marking. Which could be an indicator of infection and also stress, anxiety, or just plainnold bladder weakness. Like I mentioned before there is a med that fixes this.

And yes Natures miracle is an enzymatic cleaner. Specific foe dogs or cats.

We are familiar with Proin. Our last dog was on it for a few years, so I have no hesitation giving it to him if it is indicated.

But yes, I will call the vet's office tomorrow (they're open weekends) and see if I can get him in for a urine sample - he's NEVER allowed us to collect urine from him - we've never been able to sneak up on him while he's peeing to catch it. I think it's harder with boy dogs than girl dogs. Our previous girl dog did not mind us sneaking up on her to catch it in a cup. So pretty much every time we've had to get a urine sample, they've had to do it.

The reason I'm thinking it's behavioral is because I see what he does just prior to marking... he nests around in excitement, digging at pillows, his bed, our bed, a blanket, etc., then just casually pees.

My vet uses a needle to extract urine from the bladder… maybe they can do that instead of chasing your dog with a cup

My vet uses a needle to extract urine from the bladder… maybe they can do that instead of chasing your dog with a cup

Yup, that's what they've done in the past.

I have a 4:30PM appt. on Monday for him, with the option to call at 7:30AM to get an earlier appt. that day that they don't release until the day of.

[This message edited by number4 at 8:29 PM, Saturday, September 14th]

We made a device for one of our Bouviers growing up to collect as she was prone to UTIs. We basically duct taped a small Tupperware to a broomstick. She did not like you getting close when she peed. This worked great. Just an idea.

I'm really interested to hear what the vet recommends. I hope your pup is okay.

Took him to the vet today. They catheterized him to get a sample after a failed attempt to get him to pee while walking him. She will get the results back tomorrow. The vet said they tend to use needles for female dogs, and catheters for male dogs when they can.

In the meantime... another mark our bed last night, and one this morning in the new bed. Ugh!

The vet also said, if it's not at UTI and probably just stress, there are some things we can try before moving to the belly band. She mentioned some sort of spray which emits some pheromones that can calm some animals. She also suggested we might try some gummies.

We basically duct taped a small Tupperware to a broomstick.

We've tried something similar in the past, but somehow he senses when something is coming at him from behind. And boy dogs... well, their stream is erratic and more difficult to catch even if they do let you sneak in.

I'm so tired of constantly doing laundry, and I forgot to pick up some Nature's Miracle when I was out today. Will do so tomorrow.

This evening, he hit the bed we keep for him in my office, which I only use several times a month. 'Nother load of laundry.

Ugh. How frustrating. I hope you all get to the root of the issue.

I’ve tried the pheromone thing with my cats- seems to make a difference with the bitchy cat.

Good luck!!

We used a pheromone thing with puppies to help them adjust to their new homes.
I hope you get answers.
Good luck. Let us know what happens.