Doggy 'marking' advice please.

sadiej_2

My dad has had a dog for 9 years. A few months ago it started pee-ing in the kitchen, it really is terrible. He cocks his leg up and pee's against the fridge. What makes it more frustrating for my dad is that he does it after he's been out for walkies. I explained to my dad that I think he is 'marking'.

Dad has eventually had to buy a new fridge because his doggie has actually marked that much against the bottom half of the fridge freezer that rust marks appeared all over it. Dad bought a new fridge freezer but obviously it hasn't stopped the problem.

I can see that my dad has come to the end of his tether, he spends so much time cleaning down the fridge door and various other places around the kitchen.
I did some online research and the dogs behaviour fits in with 'marking it's territory' and it won't matter how long my dad keeps him out walking, his dog will still 'mark' his territory.

I have read about a spray that can be used to deter the dog from doing it but can't find the name of the spray anywhere.

Can anybody offer any advice please?

Caroline_a

Is the dog entire, ie has he been neutered? Sometimes neutering will stop spray marking.

krlyr

It might be "Get Off" spray you're thinking of, for the deterrent.
It's also important that the area is cleaned with a proper cleaner to remove all traces of urine. Although the fridge freezer has been replaced, the flooring around it may be retaining traces of his urine, even if you used a regular household cleaner - you need something that will break down every last trace, such as a specific pet urine cleaner (I've used the Simple Solutions one with good success - handy to keep around for household stains too actually, it worked magic on a big coffee stain on a rug!) or biological washing powder often works (but the proper stuff might be better in your case)

It might also be worth considering a medical reason behind the behaviour. A vet trip to rule out a mild UTI or perhaps even the start of canine dementia - the latter has no cure but there is treatment available that will ease symptoms and slow down progression, like Aktivait.

If it's just behavioural, it could be worth breaking the habit, is there any chance of blocking access to the fridge freezer? Standing a kitchen chair in the way or anything? I know of someone with a dog showing incontinence but only in one spot in the kitchen. She blocked the dog's access and the dog returned to being fully housetrained.