Hi there,

I posted a few days ago I was rehoming a dog from a rescue centre. He came home on Friday and we're amazed how well he's settling given his nervousness. He's warmed very quickly to us and sometimes follows us around the house, but I think he's just curious rather than worried about being on his own.

He's doing fine in his indoor kennel, and doesn't get worried about it being closed up. We got him inside it on his first night with no problems and he stayed there all night! Housetraining wise, it's coming on slowly - he's had a few accidents but this is due to myself and my partner not watching! He's not messed in his kennel on a night - the staff at the centre said he was generally very clean in his sleeping area so we weren't too worried with this.

The only problem we're having is the concern I initially had during the visits before rehoming - marking indoors. Murray will every now and then mark on things around the house - chairs, the settee, the bin, his indoor kennel and my partner's coat. He has been castrated - it was done shortly after arriving at the rescue centre in December. I've looked online and articles mention using a shaker bottle/can, but I'm worried this could frighten him.

Any advice? Other than this he's doing so well considering it's early days. I just want to nip this indoor marking in the bud!

Dont under any circumstances use a rattle bottle, pet corrector or even loud shouting. You said he is nervous anyway, such things will make him more so,they can also make dogs noise sensitive and even worse noise phobic. Any techniques such as these could also ruin bonding and trust in you, especially as you only got him Friday and hes is just settling in and getting to know you.

His marking could even be part of nervous unsure behaviour. You can try Dap products, one of the uses is for behavioural toileting problems,you can get plug ins and collars, from your vet and pets at home I think too. Although tend to be cheaper on line. It is also used to calm unsure nervous dogs and for dogs and pups in a new home.

Other than this I would at the moment keep taking him out like toilet training a pup and praise and reward him everytime he does it outside. If he has been in kennels for awhile he will likely need a refresher course. Hope this might help.

__________________

Thanks for your reply. He is already wearing a DAP collar as the centre use them on all dogs during their stay and a new one is put on before they leave. It will be interesting to see if his behaviour changes once the collar wears off!
That was my feeling using a rattle, we will keep up the housetraining routine of taking him out regularly and hope he clicks on that marking is done outside too. On balance, he's marked more outside than in the house and as I said before the accidents and marking have happened because we've not kept a close eye on him whilst he's been sniffing about!

I'm hoping it's just down to nerves and he stops doing it once he feels totally settled.