Neutered Marking Dog

[hshireman09]

About the time I found out I was pregnant, my 2 y/o Brussel Griffon/Pug mix starting marking in the house.  Up until that point, he was housetrained.  He is neutered and has been since a puppy.  We had it done right away.  We can't leave him for even 10 minutes without him marking in the house even if it is just a few drops on a doorway, corner, table, chair, or one of the baby's swings, etc.  He never does it in front of us, so I can never catch him in the act, and you can't punish him after the fact.  We started crating him again and he does great.  He actually loves it and will lay in there even when we are home.  We also have a mini-pomeranian (she is spayed), and there does not seem to be any dominance issues.  I also clean wherever he marks with a vinegar solution, and have even tried putting food on all corners of the house...he then finds somewhere else to mark.  Our "Brug" is so sweet and loves to cuddle, and is a great dog outside of marking.  When this all started I took him to the vet to see if he had a UTI and they even did a secondary blood test, and the vet said he was medically okay.  I have since had the baby and my dog loves himand will lay by him when he plays.   Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[Margot49]

Not much more I can add then to keep doing what you're doing so you can keep an eye on him.  Won't resolve overnight and hope he accepts that baby into the pack soon. :-). He will have to realize he just got bumped down a notch.  Do continue with the training and try to give him some individual time daily whether it be a walk or even a short play period.
I would keep a baby blanket in or on top if the crate,  he can smell it from inside.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[hshireman09]

He did really well on the leash last night.  This all started back last year in June when I got pregnant so the baby scent wasn't in the house yet.  Sometimes I think they know something is up, though.  He does know quite a few commands and whenever he is by the baby we make him lay down.  My husband brought home the hat from the baby 2 nights in a row before we came home.  Should I keep putting something with the baby scent in his crate?

I looked up that training, and we try to always make him earn treats, but I will work on doing it with everything.  Today we were working on not coming in the house until I told him it was okay to do so.  He learns really quickly so hopefully he will catch on quickly.   Thanks!

[Margot49]

I am pretty sure this is scent making due to the new baby and probably some anxiety with the new addition.  Did  you try introducing the baby scent before bringing the baby home?  
You need to keep him tethered to you so you can catch him.  Don't punish, just use a firm"No!" And take him out.  Limit his area with closed doors or gates, if you can.  When you can't watch him, use the crate.  
Is he trained at all?  Does he know Sit or Down?  If so, when you go to care for the baby,with him tethered to you, give him a command and praise him.  
Look up NILF training.
I would opt for a belly band over a diaper.  You should know when he bp needs to relieve himself, etc.  hopefully, he will eventually feel more secure, realize his place in the pack order and will stop the marking.  This will most likely not happen overnight.  
Dogs do do best with routine and rules.  I think once you get into a new routine with him, you can hope he will stop the marking.  Try not to leave the baby stuff around unless you can watch him.
Worth a try.

[hshireman09]

Thank you for your suggestions!  The baby is here and my dog seems to love him.  I was thinking it could perhaps be separation anxiety because he is a snuggle-pup.  However, just today, I had got home and let him out to potty and I let him back in and I go into the nursery to change the baby and he went and peed on the baby's play mat.  Ugh!  I think I will try leashing him and holding him to me for awhile to see if that works.  Other than that, I don't know how to catch him.   I have wondered about the belly bands, but do they help TRAIN them not to mark?  I have seen the doggie diapers too, like the peekeeper.   Can you eventually take them off permanently?  

[Margot49]

I am impressed as you certainly seem to be pretty knowledgable.  I see you have tried some if the things I would have suggested.
My best guess is that is the baby and the new things in the house and he is claiming territory.  Hard to break these boys from doing that.
Glad you realize you can't do much after the fact except clean with an enzyme cleaner or vinegar.
If possible, you can try leash ing him to you with a leash or flex lead.  That way you have some control and can correct him if he marks.
I am a firm believer in crate training!  If you can't watch him or you go out, crate him.  
Again, back to basics and let him out regularly and praise/reward when he goes outside.
You can check into trying a belly band (do a search if not familiar with these). They can come in handy but, of course, needs to be taken off periodically to take him out.
Is the baby there yet or not?  If so, you may try putting something with the baby smell (blanket?) in or near his crate.
Good luck!