Help! What can I do about marking?

Belly bands are your best friend!

As I'm sure you know, marking has nothing to do with the physical need to pee but is a territorial thing. Just because a dog is thoroughly house trained, yours is not his house. I have attempted to use the method Brandon McMillan (Lucky Dog TV show) does in which a dog is tethered at the scene of the crime for about 15 minutes (a timeout). Since dogs don't like to be where they've peed, the theory is that he shouldn't do it again. It hasn't worked for me but, then again, it has to be reinforced constantly and I just clean it up with enzymatic cleaners. Oh yes, get yourself a black light to see where you might have missed.

The only sure fire way to ensure a dog doesn't mark is for him to wear a belly band. I have one that has been staying with me for years and he just likes to do it. His owner ships me disposable belly bands from amazon before or during each stay, depending on what's left from the supply.

You can purchase belly bands of varying sizes, depending on what size dogs you take in, and use those. Remember, they are a business expense. You might even ask the owner to supply them just as I have. It is likely the owner knows what his/her dog does in other people's homes.

Dogs will pee where other dogs have peed, simple as that. So if you have had quite a bit of accidents in your home, even if humans cant smell it, dogs can. I have been boarding dogs for many many many years and very rarely will a dog do more than a tiny piddle in my home because of how I clean the urine. You need a very thorough clean up using steam and enzymatic cleaners. Another product that works wonders on both flooring and laundry is K.O.E. Kennel Odor Eliminator, it is a bit pricey but really does miracles. I add it to my floor cleaning solution and use it in my dog laundry and for my couches and chairs.

And as far as your chair and any upholstered furniture, you probably will need a real professional cleaning with a pet odor eliminator enzymatic solution because if it smells enough for a dog to detect, the smell will keep encouraging them to pee.

You can also meet the dogs outside and take them for a pee before they even enter your home. Once they are peeing outside, give them a high value reward letting them know that peeing outside will get them the bestest of stuff. Directly supervise any new dogs and redirect them outside as soon as they start to pee indoors, just like you would with a puppy. Once outside, repeat the rewarding for peeing outside.

Belly Bands on every male unless you have watched them and know that they will not mark! It saves a lot of heartache and needless scrubbing. It does not hurt the dog but saves your peace of mind.