JRT urine marking

Question
Oscar was a pound adoption three years ago and is about 4 1/2yrs old. 14lbs,male/neutered, Nutro brand diet, submissive personality. Oscar is crated when I am not at home. He used to sleep with family members (he could choose whom).

Oscar has been a fantastic pet...however.... my boyfriend and I have been dating for six months now after my being single for about 2years after the dissolution of a previous relationship. I also have two children g15 and b10.

Ever since my boyfriend started sharing my bedroom, the dog has started urinating at the base of my bed. I have found fantastic products to clean and supposedly remove the pherenomes, however, the marking continues.

I was told to assert my dominance by rolling him onto his back, looking him in the eye and telling him in a stern oice "no pee". Its not working. I now put up a babygate so that he can not get into my room and the kids bedroom doors are kept closed. I have to use a babygate for mine as the cat litter box is in my en suite and so the cat needs access through.

The cat is a 14 month old male, neutered. He and Oscar are best of friends, seek each other out to play and groom. We have never seen any trouble between them.

In addition to the urination in my bedroom, when we hug the dog is between our legs and if he thinks we are taking too long, he will start barking at us and jumping around. I don't know what to do now, he is a lovely boy and greets my boyfriend warmly. My boyfriend is fond of him in return.


Answer
Hello Yvete,

It's important that you catch Oscar in the act of urinating and correct him sternly and immediately when he does it. Going back and correcting him hours or even minutes after the fact is useless. If and when you do catch him in the act you give the correction NO and take him immediately outside where he is supposed to go. The gate is a good idea and hopefully working for you.
Oscar is most definitely jealous of the attention you are giving to your boyfriend but it doesn't give him the right to step in between the two of you.  You have to stop this right away and don't laugh about it because that is giving Oscar the desired attention he wants. You need to stop him BEFORE he gets in between your legs with a snap of your finger, a "psst" from your mouth and a quick poke to his shoulder to make him back off and back up. Once he is in between the two of you it's already too late so don't bother with the correction. You can also lavish him with attention while your boyfriend is there (except NOT when you are hugging/kissing, sitting next to eachother or being close in any way. He has to learn that this is an important person in your life as well as him but he will get his turn when it's time!  He sounds like a great dog and is just going through some adjustments with the new man in your life. Best of luck to all of you!
Carol