dog jelousy

Question
WE HAVE A 7 YR OLD LAB AND HAVE HAD HIM SINCE HE WAS A LITTLE PUPPY. HE'S A WELL TEMPERED EASY GOING PART OF THE FAMILY KIND OF PET. RECENTLY WE ADDED A YORKIE PUP TO THE FAMILY AND ALTHOUGH OUR LAB PAYS LITTLE OR NO ATTENTION TO HIM, HE DOES "MARK HIS TERRITORY" INSIDE THE HOUSE, SOMETHING HE HAS NEVER DONE BEFORE. BOTH OUR MALE AND NEITHER HAVE BEEN NEUTERED.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Answer
Hi, Trisha,

Thanks for the question.

It sounds to me like your Lab sees the new dog not as a packmate and friend, but kind of the way a wolf in a sanctuary would relate to a new addition to the group, as if the Yorkie were from a rival pack. His urination is a sign of nervous tension, that's all. Given that he's going it out of nervousness it would be counterproductive to scold or punish him for the behavior. Dogs can't learn how NOT to do things, particularly when their emotions are directly involved.

What I would do is take the two dogs on long walks together in as natural a setting as possible, and set up some situations where they could play together. The more they walk together and play together the more bonded they'll become. And the more bonded they become the less tense the Lab will be with this interloper in his house, and the less likely he'll be to "mark" inside the house.

By the way, how recently did you acquire the new doggie?

LCK