Dog peeing on the couch

Question
QUESTION: I have a 10 month old Cavachon (XCavalier and Bischon Frise) He was very hard to toilet train, I have had him since he was 12 weeks old. He was 6 months of age before he started peeing outside, then occasionally in the house. For the past month or so, I have noticed he is marking his territory all over the house and has started peeing on my couch. I have had my couch steam cleaned and put plastic down and he still continues to do this. I always clean up with "Urine off"
He is only ever in the house while I am home, but I never seem to be able to catch him out doing this.
This is driving me crazy, please help!!

ANSWER: I am not trying to offend you, but you made a classic mistake - you bought a "designer dog", probably from an Internet puppy mill.  I don't know how to say that any more nicely because it is the precise reason that your dog is hard to house train.  First of all, had you purchased from a reputable breeder, you would have probably signed up in advance for the litter, and you would get your pup at age 8 weeks, not 12.  Secondly, while Cavs are notoriously easy to train, Bichons are notoriously difficult.  Add to that the fact that your breeder should have had the dog mostly house trained by age 12 weeks if the pup hadn't sold before then, and you have a prescription for failure.  Chances are that this pup spent lots of time in a crate, probably learned to soil the crate, making it that much harder to train him.  Since you weren't aware of "puppy mills" being disguised as fancy breeders on the Internet, I assume that you are new to dogs - which means that you may have punished him for pee'ing in the house.  I never scold my dogs for accidents.  Dogs that are scolded often learn that it's "dangerous to pee in front of the human", not that "I shouldn't pee indoors".  So, then you get the dog that wants to hide to do his biz.  Is he neutered yet?  If not, do it yesterday!!!!  This is the age when dogs learn to mark, and neutering doesn't always stop it, but sometimes it does.  If he is already neutered, you simply attach a drag line (leash) to his collar or harness and when he gets up on furniture, just gently guide him off as you say "off".  When you cannot watch him, crate him.  Then, he will have no opportunity to get on the couch or to pee on anything inappropriate.  Back to house-training 101, I'm afraid.  Also, this is just until he is reliable in the home.  You have given him too much freedom too soon, with the lack of training under his belt.  Most dogs that are sold by reputable breeders and have owners that go to puppy class are trained by age 3 months or so.  Keep that in mind when you get your next dog!  I don't mean to be harsh - you didn't know what you didn't know, but the sooner we stop puppy mills, the better it will be for all dogs.  Your dog is lucky to have a committed owner seeking information.  Many others like him end up in shelters...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advise, and I hear what you are saying about designer dogs, I did buy this dog from a breeder who bred both cavaliers and Bischon's. My dog was from a mistake litter and the breeder did inform me that they do not breed this type of dog deliberately.
I have taken my dog to puppy school and have never scolded him for his accidents. I really think you hit the nail on the head with the fact that he was in a cage for 12 weeks. Yes he has been neutered, though it was only done a couple of days ago.
Can I ask about your suggestion to cage him when I cannot keep my eye on him?
When this dog is left alone, he constantly  barks with a very high pitched bark, ( I am talking hours) and when I put him outside he bangs on the door and barks, which has sparked complaints from the neighbours. This is the third dog that I have owned, and have never had so much grief. Admittedly the first two dogs were Cavaliers.
I am really at my wits end with this one, and this will definately be the last "designer dog" I own.

Thanks for you time

Answer
Here's a good resource for you: "I'll Be Home Soon - Preventing and Treating Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell.  Some links:
http://www.dogforme.com/pages/STOP%20That%20Barking.html
Some people advocate no-bark collars.  I don't like shock collars and won't use them, but in cases where a dog stops when presented with an aversive stimulus, this would be an option: http://www.premierpet.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/sprays/spraysens
Some dogs bark right through, however.  So, I like this a whole lot better, but it requires some commitment to training by the owner:
http://www.premierpet.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/newproducts/mann
You will not see immediate results from the neuter, as it takes some time for the testosterone to diminish in his system.