Peeing on the Sofa

Question
The past 2 months, my 4 year old male pug (who is not neutered) Jonas has developed a habit of jumping on the back of the sofa. It is always in the same spot. The first time that this happened I though he was angry because me husband and I were outside eating dinner and we had left Jonas in the house. Then he continued to do it various times when no one was paying attention specifically to him, such as when I was washing dishes. Now it is to the point where he will pee on the sofa while I am sitting on it! Jonas has been housebroken since he was about 8 months and has never been a problem until this began. He does not go anywhere else in the house either. The vet has determined that he has no physical problems and that it must be behavioral. I have tried a few things that the vet suggested such as putting a blanket on the back of the sofa and putting balls of aluminum foil around the area so that he would be uncomfortable. He chewed up the blanket, ate the foil, and continued peeing. I have caught him in the act and punished him but he continues to do it. He even runs in his cage after he goes because I believe he knows he is not allowed to do that. My $4000 leather sofa is in ruins and I have no ideas left on how to correct the situation. My husband says that Jonas is peeing his way out of having a home and I cannot bear to give him away. I absolutely love my dog. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Answer
Your dog is apparently making a statement.  This may have been precipitated by your being outdoors enjoying one another's company while he was confined indoors (and able to see you, possibly, surely able to hear and smell you.)  The back of the sofa is a favorite spot for many dogs, mostly the small breeds but even larger.  It is a place of "power" because it is the highest spot the dog is able to obtain (other than the top of stairs, another place where dogs can be found who are making a statement.)  Punishing the dog for marking and making his statement is totally NON productive and may make it worse. The dog runs to his cage not because he "knows" it's "wrong" to mark the couch; he runs because he is conditioned to the fact that the presence of urine causes you to be ANGRY and to treat him in a way he cannot understand.

You have to interact with this dog in a manner that clearly communicates that he is SECURE and that YOU are IN CHARGE with fair, consistent leadership.  Forget "punishment" and start to teach the dog.  Learn about positive reinforcement training and teach him one strong response to one simple command for behavior, using a made up word.  While you are doing this, and for some weeks after he has obtained this behavior and is offering it 100% of the time he is asked, put him on a long, lightweight house leash.  Prevent him from getting up on ANY furniture from now on by removing him using the leash (not your hands).  If you must, put your foot on the leash so the dog cannot persist in jumping up onto the couch; he will soon get the idea that it is more rewarding to stay OFF the furniture. Also, do not allow him to obtain any other positions of "power"; if he sits at the top of the stairs, remove him; if he blocks your way, move him with the leash and say "move"; if he leans on you, get up and move away; if he attempts to solicit interaction by being demanding or offering a behavior you do not want, IGNORE IT.  Once he has learned the trained behavior, ask him to earn being fed, being petted, being allowed out AND IN.  Keep this up for a couple of months.  Do not allow the dog to have free run of the house when you are not there; this places a large burden of responsibility on the dog and gives him the wrong idea about his place in your family.  Confine him to the kitchen with a soft bed, toys, etc.  At first, your dog may appear depressed, and this is a legitimate reaction to being reduced in rank.  Don't worry about it!  In the long run, he will be far happier as a secure "beta" in your "pack" and he will certainly be happier having not lost his good home.