adult dog urinating in the home

Question
My 2 year old German shepherd has begun urinating in the house even though he has been completely house trained in the past.  At first I thought it was just in one spot, but it is all over the house now.  I am not sure what is wrong, I am not sure if he is "marking his territory" or what.  I am going to have new carpet installed in a couple of months and I don't want it to be ruined by my formerly house trained dog.  His last checkup at the vet they said he was healthy and he demands and receives alot of attention, vet recommended food, and he doesn't tend to urinate when he is excited.  He has also been nutered.  O am at my whits end with him and an desperate to find a solution.  I feel I can't trust him in the house even when I turn my back.  And also, he will urinate right after he is brought in from being outside or from a walk.  Please help if you can.

Answer
It really sounds like marking.  It sometimes starts any time in the first 3 years before they are mature.  Neutering is a big help, but sometimes you must follow it up with good leadership and careful watching.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

When you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. If you catch it in the act, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and take it out. When you can't watch it, crate it.


A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.