Chuffy
Posted : 1/31/2007 7:41:38 AM
Firstly, the moving house has the dog scared. Regression in house training is very common when moving house or if anything changes in a dogs environment and IME it makes no difference if the dog is neutered or not. Marking is not just something related to over sexed animals. It is often connected to stress (moving house is stressful enough for us humans but at least we know whats going on - if only we could explain it to our pets). It is linked to insecurity - he's telling everyoen (and reassuring himself) that this is "his home".
He should be confined in a secure, easily cleaned dog proof area when left so that he can't access things like food packets or tear up furniture. Forbidden things should be kept out of his reach. There is no way to teach him to do these things when you are not around, the only way is prevent the habit from occurring or becoming more ingrained by using confinement.
Give him plenty of opportunity to eliminate outdoors at regular intervals and praise like mad when he does. Give him an extra special treat as well taht he only gets at this time - this will make him work ten times harder to get the treat and once he's figured out how to get it he will be really keen to "hold it" until let out.
He doesn't know he has done wrong. Really he doesn't. Don't get angry if you come home and find mess. If he looks "guilty" it's because he is displaying submissive gestures to try to deflect your anger. He's not doing this to "get back at you" or because he is "unhappy with you". You haven't met his needs and he is frustrated. In order for him to be settled, well behaved and happy, you first need to meet his needs. You can't have it all for nothing. Having a dog is hard work, if you don't put the work in, then you get the kind of problems you have been experiencing. I have a feeling you know this already.
He needs more stimulation.
Walk him. Labs needs
loads of exercise. All dogs need a fair bit of mental stimulation too - they are intelligent and if you don't give them a job to do, they'll find one and you probably won't like it. Play games with him - ones that engage his body AND his mind. Train him every day. Practise old cues and teach new ones. Give clicker training a try - it's tiring for dogs. When you leave him, leave him with an interactive toy like a Busta cube or a stuffed kong and some safe chews.
You said the car is like a kind of "crate" - does he actually have a crate? This would be useful and I highly recommend it but you should introduce it kindly, make it a place he likes to be, never use it as a punishment and don't leave him cooped up in it for long periods.
In addition, leaving him in your car is not safe. On warm days (it doesn't have to be that hot) the risks are obvious. Black dogs are more susceptible to heat exhaustion than lighter shades so he's even more at risk. Someone could steal him. Over here, the interior of your car is classed as a public place (if the car is parked in a public place) So if you leave a window a little bit open for the dog and a child stuck their hand in and got bitten, the dog comes under the DDA, the owner is liable and the dog could be destroyed. It's worth checking out dog laws in your area to make sure you aren't risk from something like this.
You don't say what house training you have given him or what efforts you are taking at the moment to ensure he is empty before being left or taken into a building, these things are relevant.
You should take him to your vet for a check up and stop buying cheap food. For him to be peeing so much and unexpectedly may be a sign of infection or similar. The vet could also help you out to find a food more suitable for him. Again, I think you already know this.
You need to make this dog a priority in your life. If any of the above is not possible for you, please consider giving the dog up to someone who can meet his needs.