Two dogs three issuses...........

[kittyfly]

#1) Neutering the male WILL alleviate him marking in the house. Lower testosterone = less urge to mark everything in sight = less marking, inside AND out.

It won't prevent him from marking COMPLETELY but he will have a much much much much less of an urge to do so.

#2) If he is eating her food and/or not allowing her to eat, then you MUST feed them in separate rooms and monitor them while they are eating. In your case I DO NOT suggest free-feeding because then you will not be able to monitor how much they each eat. Feed them at a schedule at the same time(s) every day. Place the bowls down, allow 10-15 minutes to eat in SEPARATE ROOMS (separate by a closed door or baby gate), and DO NOT allow him in until she is done eating. After 10 - 15 minutes remove the food, even if they are not finished eating. This will train them to eat when the food is put down, not eat a little here, eat a little there, or whenever they feel like it, and will help IMMENSELY with him eating her food. But key here is separate and monitor them during feeding time.

#3) I may have misunderstood, but did you say your vet recommended breeding him one more time? Did you know that unaltered males have a much much much higher risk of cancer? Not to mention roaming, and I am assuming your yard is not fenced because of the poop problem, he is at a MUCH higher risk of roaming or getting loose and roaming the streets, where just "anyone" can pick him up or, worse yet, be hit by a car.

#4) The poop problem... have you tried putting up "No Tresspassing" signs? Or if you watch and find out who is letting their dogs poop on your lawn, contacting the local authorities? That can be a health hazard to not only you, your children... but also your pets. If nothing can be done, then have you thought about fencing your yard? I think fencing is a great option ESPECIALLY since you have an unaltered male in your household, it will decrease his chance of getting out or roaming.

I can not stress the pros of neutering enough. The puppies may go into "good" homes, and nobody here is arguing that point with you. But for every puppy you bring into this world and place into a good home is a puppy at the shelter that gets euthanized.

Bottom line you are going to do what you wish regardless; however, I only wish to educate you so that no matter what route you take or decision you make you will be educated in it. I have two BEAUTIFUL purebred Aussies, but will I breed them?? HECK NO!!! Eventhough MANY MANY MANY people have asked me "do you plan on breeding? I'll definitely buy a puppy!" but my answer is always the same -- I'm not a breeder. I'm not a puppy mill. And I am certainly not a Backyard Breeder. I refer these people instead to an Aussie rescue.

EDIT: I thought I would add -- the next time someone inquires about wanting a puppy, instead send them to petfinder.com where there are thousands upon thousands of animals needing good homes - some are on their last days. If it is a friend or family, I still just recommend sending them to the site just to browse around... they never know who they will stumble across and maybe save a life By neutering your male and referring people to petfinder.com or a local shelter instead, you are saving lives instead of adding to the overpopulation problem

Thank you for not seeming so attckfull and all the advice is so helpfull I will be tring it all. We are getting ready to make a long move and there are other female dogs there so he will be getting fixed. I just don't feel it is right I would not have been to happy for someone have had me fix before I was able to have and offspring and I did not like having to make that happen to my babys because thats what my dogs are to me because I can't have children of my own. Thank you for helping in this matter.

[Jessika]

kittyfly -- I am VERY excited to hear that you chose to have him neutered! I promise you that you will have an easier time with him after it is done! Good luck and good luck on the move!

Also, a random side-thought, your female -- do you plan on breeding her as well? Because I will obviously recommend strongly that you have her spayed as soon as you can. Like unaltered males, unaltered females are at a MUCH higher risk of getting ovarian cancer as well as other medical problems. Dogs are not missing anything if they never get the chance to breed or have puppies - they do not know the difference. Some mothers are actually very bad mothers and most puppies will die because of negligence.

Another common mistake people often make is humanizing their dogs. Dogs are dogs, dogs are not people. Dogs do not think like people do, they do not have rational thought. So if you neuter or spay them, they will not think "Oh man, now I will never know what it is like to have a baby". They will actually be happier for it because they have a much less tendency to roam, plus your female will not be as stressed from males around "that time of the year".

But if you are already planning on spaying her or if it is already done, kudos to you!!!!

Good luck and I do wish for you to stay around on Pet Talk... you will learn that everyone here is passionate about the care and well-being of all animals, and some topics may hit sore spots and some may be overly emotional in their replies, or may come across as harsh, but they all intend well and have the best interest of pets in mind always!

[buttercup132]

I just don't feel it is right I would not have been to happy for someone have had me fix before I was able to have and offspring and I did not like having to make that happen to my babys because thats what my dogs are to me because I can't have children of my own.

It's not the same thing for dogs though. They don't feel the same as humans and they sure don't care to have babies. There are alot of dogs who actually refuse to be a mother to their babies. Alot of people think that dogs enjoy breeding like humans (if you get what I mean) so they breed their dogs and don't get them fixed. People need to stop viewing dogs as feeling the same way as humans. e love them like we would our own human children but you can't treat them the same way.

Anyways I'm glad your getting him fixed and taking everyone's advice.
Oh and I don't know if this was already asked but what kind of dogs are they?

[dukedogsmom]

Jessika, that was so well said! You are much wiser than your years. I 'm too blunt at times but that's just me.

Very glad to hear the male will be neutered and hopefully, the females spayed.

[Jessika]

dukedogsmom - thank you so much for the compliment! Going into the field that I am, I have to learn how to be "professional" at all times, so guess what PT... I'm starting to post again in the more "controversial" threads for practice... you are all my guinea pigs!

We love them like we would our own human children but you can't treat them the same way.

Ah, you reminded me of something I want to elaborate on from my previous post:

I love my dogs as my own children too, but bottom line is they are not human children. I treat my dogs with more respect and care and attention than most dogs receive, that still does not make them human. Humans have rational thought. Humans can also put two and two together and come to a conclusion, ie "I threw my crayons all over the floor so mom took them away because I misbehaved". Dogs simply do not think like that. Dogs live "in the moment" - not saying they don't have a memory (how else do you teach them tricks like "sit", "stay" and "beg"?), but a memory is very different from rational thought. So by saying you would never put your human children through something because you would feel bad does not apply to dogs. Humans can realize WHY things are happening and WHATS going on. Dogs do not. YOU are the only one who will "feel bad", your dogs won't know the difference one way or the other (except they will most likely live longer, healthier lives!).

Unfortunately... no matter how much we'd like for them to be, dogs just aren't people. I am by no means saying I don't love my dogs, but I've come to the understanding that their mentality is not the same. We have the tendency to put human emotion or reasoning behind their actions. "My dog pooped on my rug because I took his toy away and he is mad at me!" No, your dog pooped on the rug because he is sick or just needed to poop and you weren't available to let him outside.

When you can learn to discern between the two, then you will gain a much better understanding of how dogs REALLY think. And usually it's just "BALL? FOOD? TREAT? CAR RIDE?!!?!?!??!"

[Catlady711]

then you will gain a much better understanding of how dogs REALLY think. And usually it's just "BALL? FOOD? TREAT? CAR RIDE?!!?!?!??!"

You forgot to add "Butt Rub? Head Pat?" ROFL I can't tell you how many dogs I've encountered that immediately present their rumps to me for a good massage! lol

[kittyfly]

It's not the same thing for dogs though. They don't feel the same as humans and they sure don't care to have babies. There are alot of dogs who actually refuse to be a mother to their babies. Alot of people think that dogs enjoy breeding like humans (if you get what I mean) so they breed their dogs and don't get them fixed. People need to stop viewing dogs as feeling the same way as humans. e love them like we would our own human children but you can't treat them the same way.

Anyways I'm glad your getting him fixed and taking everyone's advice.
Oh and I don't know if this was already asked but what kind of dogs are they?

I am terrable because I can't spell there breed, (chauwau) chance is my male he is full blooded. But Onna (my female) is half minni black lab.

[kittyfly]

dukedogsmom - thank you so much for the compliment! Going into the field that I am, I have to learn how to be "professional" at all times, so guess what PT... I'm starting to post again in the more "controversial" threads for practice... you are all my guinea pigs!


Ah, you reminded me of something I want to elaborate on from my previous post:

I love my dogs as my own children too, but bottom line is they are not human children. I treat my dogs with more respect and care and attention than most dogs receive, that still does not make them human. Humans have rational thought. Humans can also put two and two together and come to a conclusion, ie "I threw my crayons all over the floor so mom took them away because I misbehaved". Dogs simply do not think like that. Dogs live "in the moment" - not saying they don't have a memory (how else do you teach them tricks like "sit", "stay" and "beg"?), but a memory is very different from rational thought. So by saying you would never put your human children through something because you would feel bad does not apply to dogs. Humans can realize WHY things are happening and WHATS going on. Dogs do not. YOU are the only one who will "feel bad", your dogs won't know the difference one way or the other (except they will most likely live longer, healthier lives!).

Unfortunately... no matter how much we'd like for them to be, dogs just aren't people. I am by no means saying I don't love my dogs, but I've come to the understanding that their mentality is not the same. We have the tendency to put human emotion or reasoning behind their actions. "My dog pooped on my rug because I took his toy away and he is mad at me!" No, your dog pooped on the rug because he is sick or just needed to poop and you weren't available to let him outside.

When you can learn to discern between the two, then you will gain a much better understanding of how dogs REALLY think. And usually it's just "BALL? FOOD? TREAT? CAR RIDE?!!?!?!??!"

You know you are right with that but I am just learning about dogs I know more about cats. I just kinda got turned into a dog lover (not in that kind of way) When I meet my hubbie 6 years ago his family is dog aholics but they seem to know alot about it. I came here to get a wide range of advice from all sides good bad and the hard to take.
I THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH !!!!!

[kittyfly]

I love my dogs as my best friend may say way----too----much.
I have spoiled them quit a bit I might say there's not much I can't do too them. I toss her or him in the air slightly and bring them down and blow on there bellys like you would do a child the will let me back filp them off my lap. The list relly gos on and on. They are relly smart he has leared not to leave the year and has been tested quit a bit and he will not leave all the treats and food won't make him leave it. She is nearly there too though she still tests it from time to time.
This thing with dogs it is not easy to get it all in a few years I am just starting my search on the net landed here and I hope not to loss my net for quit some time.

[Jessika]

You know you are right with that but I am just learning about dogs I know more about cats. I just kinda got turned into a dog lover (not in that kind of way) When I meet my hubbie 6 years ago his family is dog aholics but they seem to know alot about it. I came here to get a wide range of advice from all sides good bad and the hard to take.
I THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH !!!!!

That's what PT is all about -- learning!! Don't ever hesitate to ask questions or help here

[kittyfly]

So called chance's vet his app. is next thurs. we have seperated both dogs and are doing great with that but we are having trouble.
Chance is acting like Onna is in heat there are no signs as far as we can tell.
she will be a year in may and I have been told that she could be going into early stages of heat. What may help to keep him from doing the things he is doing like the painting realy hard as if he was hot the wining all the time getting over stressed about notting getting to her?

Since I was harded and did not get him fixed earlyer? Do any of you have advice?

[Jessika]

She may very well be going into heat. Jamie's first heat was at 11 months. My only suggestion is to KEEP THEM SEPARATED by a heavy closed door and DO NOT leave them unsupervised!

Can you call your vet to see if you can get his appointment bumped up a little earlier? I'm sure that will definitely help. Can you get her in too to be spayed? Because trust me, a female in heat is almost worse than an intact male.

If she is going into heat please be sure to keep a hawk eye on her, not just from your male dog but from other dogs as well!