another dumb question

[shaybear07]

I have had a male GSD before and he didnt mark (at all) but Lucas I think is marking. How old are they when they begin marking?
Thank you!

[CeCe]

They might start around 8 months. Some males that are neutered early don't mark.

[Castlemaid]

Some puppies will lift their leg to pee at an early age - but it is not the same thing as marking. I've had two males now that started marking around 8 - 9 months. Both had been lifting their leg before that, but it wasn't marking - marking is when they sniff an area that other dogs have peed on before, and pee on the exact same spot. Dogs that lift their leg to pee will lift their leg and empty their bladder. Dogs that mark will only pee a bit, and save the rest for marking other places.

[shaybear07]

We live in a apartment complex and every apartment has a dog. One of the dogs peed on the stairs. Lucas (15 weeks old) sniffed the stair and peed...so is he marking? I just cant believe he is already marking...if so this is going to be a fun ride

[Castlemaid]

Probably not marking - he probably thought it was okay to pee there as another dog has peed there already. One reason it is best to use an enzymatic cleaner that neutralizes urine to clean up their house-breaking accidents in the house. Lingering odor triggers their belief that is where they are supposed to pee.

I know with Gryff, territory marking was a gradual process. First he was lifting his leg to pee from an early age. When he was around 8 months old, he becaume VERY interested in areas that other dogs have marked. He made no effort to mark on them, but spent a lot of time investigating and sniffing. This was new behaviour as he used to ignore spots where dogs have marked. Then when he was around 9 months old, he started to mark, and it was so deliberate, no doubt about what he was doing.

[onyx'girl]

I agree with Lucia. Karlo lifted his leg at 4 months, it wasn't a marking behavior. That began at about 10 months and I corrected him if it was inappropriate. He has never, ever marked in the house...but he did once when I took him (for like the 2nd time) to Pet supplies plus. He marked within a minute of being in that store after we did a 6 mile hike on a trail(where I didn't allow it) He did have an opportunity to potty in a brushy area in the parking lot at the trailhead which he took advantage of, so I know he didn't have to pee.
I think another dogs scent in the store triggered it, and I stopped him as soon as he started. That day, I walked around the store looking at the lower shelving, OMG do not buy anything on the lower shelves or corners of a pet store where dogs are allowed! Rusty=wet! This store was clean, but evidently had been used! Marking can be trained out, don't allow it when it is inappropriate.

[shaybear07]

Thats what I kinda thought he was WAY too young to be marking. I've had 2 other male german shepherds and they didn't in a building. I was just kinda surprised when he peed. He doesn't lift his leg yet so much be what Lucia said just peeing bc he smelled it.

Thanks guys

[VegasResident]

My boy has never lifted his leg and never marked and he is 18 months old.

He stretches to pee (guess he learned to avoid peeing on his front legs when smaller).

He has been around other male dogs since he was 4 months old and this has not changed him. He was neutered at 6.5 months (state law...yes it sucks).

Smelling pee may just be making him pee. Sometimes my boy smells his last pee spot in order to pee again.

[Falkosmom]

VegasResident,

Your dog was neutered at 6.5 months, state law, really?

[VegasResident]

Originally Posted by Falkosmom

VegasResident,

Your dog was neutered at 6.5 months, state law, really?

Actually the law here is 4 months for spay neuter. It is in all major cities in the state unless you have a breeders license or is is a show dog where you have to show proof of show competition.

My vet drug it out a little to let my boy get a bit older.

The upside is we also have a good animal abuse law that went into effect in October

Section 1 of this bill provides that a person who willfully and maliciously commits certain acts of cruelty against an animal is guilty of a category D felony, if the act does not result in the death of the animal, and is guilty of a category C felony, if the animal dies because of the act of cruelty.

Section 2 of this bill clarifies that a person who separates a dog or cat from its mother before it is 8 weeks old or is accustomed to taking food or nourishment other than by nursing is guilty of a misdemeanor.