Just when I thought all was going well, Simcha has developed a marking problem. For background, he was neutered by a shelter back in early June, at approximately 1 year and 6 months age. We adopted him in late June. Except for a few incidents, he has been housebroken from the beginning.

Last week, we had contractor people on our property and inside the house virtually every day. They were doing some exterior painting, other maintenance work, and window removal and cleaning. Last Wednesday, he did mark the upstairs room with a small urine spot; the contractors had been working up there cleaning windows and he had previously been barking quite a bit. We did remove him from that room and put him in his special bedroom, which is an attached enclosed porch. It is his equivalent to a crate, although it is about 9 x 13 feet. He has absolutely never urinated or defecated in there, and always stays in there overnight for a nearly 12 hour stretch, plus occasional quiet time-outs when needed.

Today, he again marked the upstairs room with a small urine spot. We were home at the time, and he showed no desire to be let out to relieve himself. However, he had been barking a short while prior to the incident. Time of the incident was fairly clear because the spot was still warm. It is his habit to look out the window from that room, and will often bark at passersby or squirrels or God knows what. He is extremely territorial.

An hour or so later, he again went on a barking fit, this time in the master bedroom, although the source of his agitation was not visible. Ruth observed him sporting what she described as a 'giant' erection, the first time any of us has ever seen major erectile activity. Also, the last couple of days, he has occasionally been humping a large towel we use upstairs as a pillow for him. Distracting him and temporarily removing the towel stops the behavior.

The resurgence of sexuality and the marking are somewhat puzzling. Any suggestions? Any chance our veterinarian could help with a medicinal approach? We were intending to see her soon for a semi annual checkup.

I think this dog is extremely upset by the contractors/workers. He is marking HIS house and telling them 'this is MY house". I wouldn't let him anywhere near them, and he would be in his room, unless I was there and he was on leash.

Yes the vet can give something to calm him, but I'd try the pheramone that you can get at the pet shops. Name is Comfort Zone. (Dr's Smith and Foster have it in their catalog.) I also use a thunder shirt for anxiety, which this pup is showing.

I used the pheromone plug in to lessen the stress on one of our cats who was marking (because of a combo of a urinary infection and moving stress) and it was amazing! He has some behavioral issues but they have been better ever since we used the plug in for only 30 days.


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I will have to look for Comfort Zone. The last week was very difficult. The contractors were painting a large outside deck and our front steps, and cleaning all 54 windows in our home. We would put him in his room, and he would be barking furiously at the two workers on the outside deck, visible from his window. There was no location in the house, except perhaps a windowless closet, where we could confine him without his seeing these evil intruders. In retrospect, it would have been worth paying a few dollars to use a doggie day care center.

P.S. What are Smith and Foster?

Foster & Smith are 2 vets that have gone into the catalog business. You can request a catalog if you go to their website. Catalog is called Doctors Foster and Smith. Also you can get these at PetCo/Smart. About 25$ I think.

Their phone # is 1-800-826-7206. Web site is DrsFosterSmith.com