Wee Springer

[Florence Fennel]

My daughter's lovely Springer Spaniel, Chester, two years old, has started lifting his leg and weeing on people when he's in the company of other dogs. Is it because he's generally excited and can't help it? Does anyone know how she can stop him? Keep it clean please

[bearded bloke]

Nah Flo, I reckon it's Chester showing the bro's what he can get away with

[SarzWix]

It's a possessive thing - if it smell of him, it's his. Has he been neutered?

[its hilly]

Try carrying a household plant spray with some strong smelling (but harmless) essential oil/water mix in. The second he takes his foot off the floor squirt him in the face. Dont yell or anything just squirt, and as he turns away in shock call his name to get his attention and as he looks at her tell him 'sit' and when he does, pat him. If he isn't standing he can't cock his leg..simplesss.
If he wont sit when told then probably some training will help. Dogs like to know who is boss, prefer it to be you, and obedience and training reinforce the idea that you are the boss, and it isn't their place to mark territory but yours.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Sounds like his hormone's have started running (he's the right age) and he has started scent marking his territory etc, my springer did something similar.

The advice I was given was first cut a twig abour 3ft long leaving the leaves on one end, then to keep him on a loose lead when in company. Keep a sharp eye on him and at the first sign rustle the leafy end on his nose (its supposed to distract them). About two months later the behavior stopped, don't know whether it was the leaves of whether he just grew out of it.

Colin

[snohare]

You'll have to rename him geyser !
Seriously though, I agree with the above, it is a dominance issue. Other issues will surface if he is allowed to do it.
On the plus side, if that happens at least you know legs cannot have puppies...

[Florence Fennel]

It's a possessive thing - if it smell of him, it's his. Has he been neutered?

No Sarz and someone did advise my daughter that it was the only way to cure it. Part of the trouble there is the cost I'm afraid. I'm sure she'll try some of the good advice above to curb it.

[Glutton4...]

He will more than likely, grow out of it. If it is only when in the company of other dogs, she just has to look out for the signs, and stop him as soon as he looks like he's going to do it. No shouting, no fuss, just plain 'NO!' said sternly, and a check on the lead should suffice. It is a dominance/territorial thing, like peeing on another dog's pee patch.

Springers are intelligent dogs, he should learn quite quickly if the training is consistent. Good luck!

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have been involved with training springers to the gun for some years and to be honest I don't know of one dog that had his bits removed. As above a good steady training program will suffice.

It is worth pointing out that this can be a difficult time for dogs (males) his hormone's are telling him he is all grown up and ready to attempt take over as pack leader so a strong firm hand is required. He must be made to understand that he is subordinate to all the humans in his pack/family.

Colin

[snohare]

Yes, I've seen I don't know how many male springers and none of them have had to be "dressed". (Although I did once see a very disgruntled one wearing a jacket, very briefly. )

[Florence Fennel]

I'm glad some of you think he shouldn't have what is essentially an unnecessary operation. He is a very clever dog, so I've told them to regularly check him when he starts to do it. They've been out with him on long, long, walks this weekend and he's been no trouble at all. It's mainly when he's with my granddaughter who likes the company of plenty of other dogwalkers hence loads of dogs for him to play with an owners to widdle on!