13 replies to this topic

[murphinator]

Hi all. I tried searching for this topic, but couldn't find it. I'm sorry if it's been posted before.

If anyone can offer some insight and advice for correction it would be much appreciated. Our little guy, Murphy, occasionally will pee on other dogs, outside/inside it doesn't matter. What makes this an even more embarrassing situation is that he usually does it to frail, older, shy, handicapped dogs or cute, tiny, helpless dogs.

Recently we were at the dog park and a smaller dog (jack russel-ish) was cruising around in one of those carts where the front legs are down and the back legs are in a basket with wheels. He was a friendly guy, not too timid, minding his own business. Murph walked up, sniffed him, and PEED on him. I was mortified. I told Murphy "no" mid-stream and apologized profuseley to the owner.

We were at the local All the Best feed store. There was an animal in a crate by the register area. Murphy walked over, sniffed, and peed on the crate. It happened so fast I couldn't get to him in time to pick him up. I apologized, started to clean up, and asked the gal who/what is in the crate. It was her older dog who is blind and nearly deaf!

Murphy is so cavalier about the whole thing. He just sniffs, pees, and walks off. Meanwhile, I am so embarrassed and totally at a loss as to why my usually sweet and well mannered little guy is behaving this way. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[pindrop]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I can't help as I have no experience with this situation as my little girl Layla is ever so lady-like (raising eyebrows!) However, I'm sure there will be someone along shortly who will have suggestions on how to handle your little sweetie.

[pkcrossley]

sounds like pretty conventional dominance gestures. your murphy seems to think that it is okay to pee on anybody he feels superior to. he could have thought it up himself, he could have seen dogs doing it at a dog park, or he could have been on the receiving end of it at some point.

i would guess that a good way to proceed is as you would with any dominance problem. establish that you are dominant, not he. prevent him from doing anything else domineering --putting his paws on you or other dogs, any kind of threatening behavior he uses to enforce his will, and of course trying to hump anybody he wants to claim.

in the meantime you can keep him away from other dogs in public. people usually understand if you just pull him to you, look apologetic, and say you are still working on his manners.

Edited by pkcrossley, 23 January 2012 - 06:43 AM.

[bradl]

So far as I know the main way to get on top of this is to be faster and more vigilant. Eventually you will catch him the act (or even better, the very thought) and be able to give him timely corrections. A stern talking-to in any other context is unlikely to make a connection.

[sanford]

In this context, Ruffy has been both a pee-er and a pee-ee, so I can fully understand your embarrassment.
In addition to the above suggestions, you might want to consider carrying Handi-Wipes clean the dogs that Murphy anoints before you can stop him. Most dog owners understand, but for the ones that don't, the Handi-Wipes might help alleviate your chagrin, or at least show that you had good intentions.

[murphinator]

Hi. Pindrop, thank you for the warm welcome! Thanks to the others who have tried to help. Carrying handi-wipes is a great idea, it's the least I can do actually!

I appreciate your comments. This is such an odd situation as Murphy doesn't really have issues with being dominant in any other way. He's not a big humper, isn't overly aggressive, doesn't show teeth ever. He loves to play with other dogs and is usually so friendly and even patient when they are being domineering. I'm usually so in tune with him, but this is one behavior that I just can't figure out. I will continue to avoid these situations as much as possible. Beyond that, I'm not sure what more I can do except correct him as soon as I see it happening.

Thanks for your comments! I've included a picture of the little stinker below...

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[Rohnda]

What a cute face!! Our Luigi has lifted his leg one me!!! That went over real well.... and most recently at Christmas time out kids were here with their two dogs. The bull dog was sleeping on it's own bed, in a corner of the house that Luigi EVER bothers to go to. So, Luigi walks right over to him, lifts his leg and pees!! I guess he just wanted every one to know who's house they were in. As far as I know these are his only two examples of the canine act of "Who's the Boss." Pee happens!

[pkcrossley]

when i think of "dominance" i include some kind of idea of ownership, as in "this is mine. i am putting my mark on it." i think it is possible that, as in many public circumstances, the dog expects that other dogs will try to cover the mark with their mark, in which case the any self-respecting dog will come back and put his mark on it again. whoever puts the last mark wins. murphy and luigi may be putting their marks of approval/ownership on these dogs, people, and objects. sort of, dominance with a smile.

[murphinator]

This is all fascinating to me. It has made me really think about little things he's done since my fiancé and I first got him. I think that pkcrossley is on to something. I do remember one time when we were at a local park and I was saying how cute another dog was and started talking to the owner while petting her dog. Murphy walked over to my brand new handbag and peed on it! That patent leather saved the day, but I was irritated and couldn't understand why of all things...my poor innocent bag?! After reading these responses I'm starting to wonder if my little peanut just let's me think I'm the boss, but secretly is waiting to take the keys to the car and go for a spin or perhaps have a cocktail party once the uprights leave??? If that's the case, I'm thankful that for the most part he plays along and is usually a very good boy. However, I stand firm on the whole peeing on "challenged" dogs debacle and will continue to monitor his behavior.

Rhonda - sounds like Luigi and Murphy would get along great. In fact, don't be surprised if Murphy turns up - sans human - to pick up your little guy for a night on the town.

Thanks for your feedback. I've really enjoyed this site and getting to know more about this breed. We are hooked on cairns!

[sanford]

murphinator, on 27 January 2012 - 05:59 AM, said:

Murphy walked over to my brand new handbag and peed on it!

I learned early on to never put any of my belongings on the ground in the dog park!

Peeing/marking behavior seems to vary so much from dog to dog. I'm told that even some females do it. I don't think I'll ever understand it. It seems to be a deeply ingrained, fundamental part of canine behavior. Whenever I visit other homes, I need to put a belly band on Ruffy.

P.S. In the past I noticed some sites online that claimed to help teach owners how to train their dogs not to mark. I hope this is true, but never tried it. I suppose you can Google "dog marking" and see what comes up. Good luck!

Edited by sanford, 27 January 2012 - 09:08 AM.

[murphinator]

Hi Sanford. Oh no! I would never set a bag down at the dog park. We were at a small local park and just one other dog was there. I had my bag on the small steps we were sitting on. That was what seemed so weird. He had the whole park to do his business. At the time, I had no idea what came over him, but now I'm starting to understand!

I just looked up belly bands online. I am thrilled! Thank you so much for mentioning that. I had never heard of them. I'm going to order one to use when we visit friends. We haven't had a problem with marking yet, but due to his history, and from what I've learned on this forum, I just think it would be a good idea. Thanks!

[Idaho Cairns]

In both the examples you used to describe Murphey's marking there was a device (basket or crate) and a disabled dog involved. Could that be the object of Murphey's marking--not the dog but the device the handicapped dog was in? Has he actually urinated on a healthy dog? The only reason I ask is that if these were the only cases of his behavior the object may well be the "thing" the dog was in and not the dog itself which would help you identify any future situations where Murphy might mark. I'm not all that familiar with male Cairn behavior as I have never spent a lot of time around them but it is unusual for a dog to actually mark on another dog in what little experience I have had.

[kayharley]

My Remy, who thinks he's the king of the universe, always has to urinate on top of where his sister Madison goes...sometimes he just can't wait for her to finish and ends up wetting her! Not acceptable so now either they go out separately or I go out with them and I'll catch him before the act. I believe it's a alpha thing....he thinks his pee is special!

[pkcrossley]

"he thinks his pee is special!'

maybe that's it. murphy is putting his blessing on these poor, weak dogs to encourage or cure them. and on strangers whom he wants to bless. his own form of holy water.