[Biba]

Must admit I'm cheating here, since what I'm about to say/ask perhaps should be a new thread. This is only my second post but it does concern e collars.

I'm six weeks into owning my first dog (and I'm definitely no youngster) - part Lhasa Apso; about seven; 17 pounds; male; not been neutered and definitely falls under the dominant male catagory. Problems stem from him never wanting me to be out of his sight, barks continuously if I'm away, and he's a serious marker of his territory.

I feel the e collar is most likely the way to go but what I've read, for it to be effective, it must be activated within a second or two especially after the unwanted marking or barking begins.

However, he rarely marks where he shouldn't when I'm around. He uses it in my office/living quarters only when he's been left alone longer then he thinks is okay (not long). Peeing in the shop area I believe is marking his territory - but again never when I'm around. He loves riding in the car but starts barking about the time I'm a hundred feet away (this is especially where I think the e collar would be effective).

My main question is, how best can I stop him from marking his territory in the office and shop when he does it so slyly? He's definitely not a dumb dog. I'm told that neutering him at his age is essentially too late.

Regarding the marking in the shop a friend suggested I spray cayenne pepper on areas he likes to mark. Shop is full of cars, so lots of tires and lots of corners. When I first did spread it around, he walked around the shop and was obviously observing the pepper. As soon as my back was turned he peed on some items in between two places I'd spread the pepper.

I need to point out I definitely don't have unlimited time to train him. I work seven days a week as it is. Oh yes, I walk him frequently with plastic bag in the back pocket. Though an industrial group of units, there is nice green grass and trees in the front.

Help! Dog's smarter than me.

Biba

[Curbside Prophet]

Since you don't have the time, you're best bet is management. If he's marking in the home, use a product like Nature's Miracle to clean it up. Use a crate when you're home but absent. Use a belly band if you're not willing to crate your dog.

[TooneyDogs]

Agree with the management, especially if you can't keep an eye on him. You may not like the results of the e-collar for the barking. You might stop the barking but, do you really want to take the chance that you could replace it with whinning, trembling and fear when you come within sight of home? The other problem with e-collars is that you do not have 1 or 2 seconds to respond...it must be instantaneous and applied correctly to change the behavior and has many secondary problems...ie: dog gets shocked just as he looks at you...that wasn't the intent of the correction...it was for the barking but, from the dogs point of view he got shocked for looking at you or being too close to you or for standing in that particular spot or because at the very second of correction, someone came through the door.

[poodleholic]

I'm six weeks into owning my first dog (and I'm definitely no youngster) - part Lhasa Apso; about seven; 17 pounds; male; not been neutered and definitely falls under the dominant male catagory. Problems stem from him never wanting me to be out of his sight, barks continuously if I'm away, and he's a serious marker of his territory.

Dominant dog or not, dominance doesn't play a part in this issue because you're not a dog. I recently added a Shih Tzu who needed to be rehomed who displayed the unwanted behaviors of which you speak. I established a daily routine w/structure, did not allow him freedom of the house (until he earned it), and basically ignored the unwanted behavior (barking when I left the room), redirected him to wanted a behavior (i.e., sit), and followed up with positive reinforcement. He also hated his crate, and I was told he refused to eat dog food. Well, 3 wks. later, he eats what's put in front of him, and willingly goes into his crate. He no longer barks when I leave the room (he learned it didn't get him what he wanted, but being quiet did). Lhasas are velcro dogs, too. Just ignore him and redirect to something you want him to do, and then reward. For marking, it's no freedom of the house or shop until he stops. Treat marking just as you would with housetraining a new puppy.

I feel the e collar is most likely the way to go but what I've read, for it to be effective, it must be activated within a second or two especially after the unwanted marking or barking begins.

I feel this is a bad idea. Even if you get a professional to train you how to use the e-collar, you've stated you don'rt have the time. And it MUST be done w/precision. Frankly, I think an e-collar for this is not called for. It's pretty basic, simple stuff. Use an e-collar, and you're likely to really get some behavioral issues, along with a messed up dog.

However, he rarely marks where he shouldn't when I'm around. He uses it in my office/living quarters only when he's been left alone longer then he thinks is okay (not long).

Then contain him in a crate until you return.

Peeing in the shop area I believe is marking his territory - but again never when I'm around.

Then don't give him the opportunity.

He loves riding in the car but starts barking about the time I'm a hundred feet away (this is especially where I think the e collar would be effective).

This is too vague to reply to. Are you leaving him in the car and walking away, or what exactly is the scenerio?

My main question is, how best can I stop him from marking his territory in the office and shop when he does it so slyly? He's definitely not a dumb dog. I'm told that neutering him at his age is essentially too late.

I personally know many unaltered dogs (friends w/show dogs who breed) who never mark because they've been taught house rules. Prevention is key, so when you can't keep him w/you, contain him. When I brought home my male as a 16-mo. old unaltered rescue, he lifted his leg only once in my house. I caught him in the act, calmly said, "wrong," and took him outside. I then placed him on potty training procedure (tethered to me, or contained to one area of the house, or his crate). Only took one day for him, and he never did it again.

Regarding the marking in the shop a friend suggested I spray cayenne pepper on areas he likes to mark. Shop is full of cars, so lots of tires and lots of corners. When I first did spread it around, he walked around the shop and was obviously observing the pepper. As soon as my back was turned he peed on some items in between two places I'd spread the pepper.

Don't give him the freedom of the shop UNTIL he's earned it. Simple as that. Remember, each time he marks, the behavior is being reinforced, and the harder it will be to stop/change. Be proactive rather than reactive. It's much easier!

I need to point out I definitely don't have unlimited time to train him. I work seven days a week as it is. Oh yes, I walk him frequently with plastic bag in the back pocket. Though an industrial group of units, there is nice green grass and trees in the front.

Help! Dog's smarter than me.

Nah, your're smarter! Contain this little guy, or keep him with you on tether. No freedom to roam around until he's earned it.

Hang in there!