[bluesbarby]

I have a mutt named Riley who is a mix of shih tzu, bichon and poodle. He's male. He's fixed and has been since 6 months. If I get a second dog do I have to worry about marking in the house? Riley does mark on our walks but he's never done it in our house. However, he did do it at my sister-in-laws before I could stop him (she has a male dog). Should I get a female instead?

 

[Amaryllis]

Generally speaking, male/female pairs are considered ideal, but it varies dog to dog. We have lots of members with male-male pairs (and male-male-male-etc) and they do fine.

Does your SIL's dog pee inside? I think it's more likely that Riley smelled dog pee in the house and figured "hey, if someone else is doing it . . ."

 

[Abbylynn]

Well .... Blu Boy started marking inside the house when I got Eddee three months ago ... and so did Eddee. Eddee was not neutered and 6 year old Blu Boy is neutered. They were having a very active contest.

I had Eddee neutered a month ago and it has almost stopped with Eddee ... but not for Blu Boy. Whether neutering made a difference I really cannot say ... just my own experience this year and my own observation. Blu Boy is still upset I believe.

Blu Boy also marked for a bit when Abbylynn came to me over a year ago. Abbylynn was spayed before she came to me. But Blu Boy only marked for a very short time as he adjusted to Abbylynn in his territory. Leeo was still alive when Abbylynn came ... Blu Boy's Brother. Leeo was also neutered ... but did not mark?

Looking at my recent experiences ... I am inclined to believe it is an individual dog thing ... but not 100% certain.

 

[bluesbarby]

Yes, my SIL's dog does pee inside on a piddle pad, and just about anywhere else. It's one of those tea cup dogs. I would like to rescue a Westie or yorkshire terrier. But my DH would go through the roof if they mark in the house.

 

[dagwall]

I think it really depends on the dog. My boy Jubel marks outside on walks but has never marked in my house or anyone elses. We went through five different short term fosters that we watched while their long term foster was on vacation, all females, all had at least one accident in the house during their stays. No marking really just accidents. Now I have a long term foster male, been with us just over 5 weeks now, who will mark in the house. Not accidents, marking. Through all of this Jubel hasn't marked or had an accident in the house. I've definitely heard of other dogs starting to mark in the house in response to a new dog in the home though. So yeah... depends on the dog.

 

[BuggLover]

I would agree with everyone else that it does vary from dog to dog. I know personally I would be very wary of getting another male dog because Winston is bad for marking in my parents house (they have a male dog and cat). I have to watch him like a hawk when I bring him over and take him outside frequently. But, when my parents come over to my house with their dog neither of them mark in the house.