Ask Ashley: Great Plains SPCA

Our six-year-old Beagle/Coonhound mix loves to lift his leg all over the house. What gives? – Katherine B.

It appears that he might be marking his territory. Urine marking is when a dog urinates in multiple spots in the same area, usually a small amount of urine at a time. It is normal for them to not fully express their bladders when they mark. There are many reasons for this behavior such as stress, new pets in the home, environment changes, being an unaltered (not spayed or neutered) pet or around other unaltered pets. I recommend going to the veterinarian to rule out anything medical like an infection. Clean soiled areas well so the scent is removed from the area and handle him like a puppy that needs housetraining. Provide lots of potty breaks, positively reinforce when he urinates outside, and keep an eye on him all the time. I find it helpful to leash dogs to my belt and have them walk around with me so that once they start sniffing, I can take them outside immediately. - Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I have two seven-year-old schnauzers. My husband and I are retired so we are normally home with them all day. The dogs are very protective and territorial. Our three-year-old granddaughter does not have any pets at home and is coming to our house for the week for the first time. Any suggestions on keeping the peace? – Elaine Welsh

I recommend talking to the kids before introductions and asking them to remain calm and quiet to not scare the dogs. Teach the children to be gentle and go slow with the pets. If your dogs are nervous, separate them as needed. Always supervise children around dogs and go slow with introductions to set everyone up for success. Taking a family walk with everyone and the dogs before going into the home can make introductions go a little easier. There are tons of online resources on how to acclimate dogs and children to one another, so check them out.  – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Both of our dogs hate our neighbors’ dogs. At first our dogs responded with curiosity and attempts at playing/running with them, but it has escalated to our dogs fully barking and snarling back at the neighbors’ dogs. We have tried introducing the dogs through the fence, erecting a secondary three-foot fence to create a buffer zone and a squirt bottle with water. None of these have stopped their instinct to escalate. What can we do to get them to just ignore the other dogs. Any ideas? – Dorena Gibson

Teach your dogs the “leave It” command when they are inside. Once they have learned this command reliably, take them outside on a leash and get close enough to the fence so that your dog is still listening to you and will follow basic commands, but can view the dogs in the other yard. Once the dog barks at the other dogs, say “leave it” and make them sit. Reward calming behavior and redirect them into “watch me” when they are reacting to the other dogs. Do this routinely until they learn the command, then try it closer to the fence. This will take patience but is highly effective. It would be even better if your neighbors practiced this with the dogs on their side of the fence. Train your dogs individually for even quicker results. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Help Find Pebbles A Home – A Fantastic Hiking Partner

I like to explore and would be a fantastic hiking partner. I’m very social, outgoing, and I adore people and dogs. I’m still rusty on some manners which is why it is recommended for me meet all children in a home I might go to, but I am learning, and I’ve learned several commands. I have been in the Puppies for Parole program where I learned a lot of life skills, like how to not jump on people and to not pull so much on the leash. I’m very playful and would love to go to a home with another dog, but it’s not required. I love playing with toys, going on walks, exploring, playing with dogs, and cuddling. Hope to see you soon!

If you would like to meet Pebbles or learn more about her, please contact our Adoptions Team at adoptions@greatplainsspca.org or by calling (913) 831-7722.

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered here in KC Parent magazine.

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter serving approximately 6,000 animals annually in the Johnson County community. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Lake Quivira, Johnson County Parks and Recreation, and unincorporated Johnson County.

Great Plains SPCA

5424 Antioch Drive Merriam, KS 66202

(913) 831-7722(SPCA)

https://www.greatplainsspca.org