Angus'sFamily
Boxer Pal
Hi ~ This is my first post. Sorry it's so long!
A little history....
We adopted Angus almost 3 months ago from a friend. She decided to have us take him after he kept marking in her home, wherever their other dog, which is an older beagle, was laying etc. She thought it was because he was showing dominance as he was almost a year old. So we acquired him.
I've had a soft spot for him since she first got him when he was about 12 wks old, so it was a natural transition for us. He has never urinated in our home, except the first day, immediately after arriving, when he was nervous and excited to be here.
Then I discovered I am allergic to him. I was finally working through the feelings that came with that acknowledgement--from resentment -(why am I keeping this animal who is making me sick and shedding all over my house?) to hurt (why did this have to happen to me? cuz I adore him) After purchasing some expensive air purifiers and having hubby bathe him more often, I felt I was finally able to look at him with joy again...then 2 days ago he started urinating around the house. The first time was in the middle of the night. Hubby said it seemed he went about a gallon on the floor, but to me it looked like his first "Aim" was at my coat! Which I found frustrating, since he NEVER lifts his leg outside to go, unless it's to mark while on walks. Needless to say, I was not thrilled to get up in the middle of the night to wash my coat before work. (Since we live in the midwest...we've been having a COLD snap and it's my only Heavy coat)....I dealt with it, giving him the benefit of the doubt, I thought maybe it was because I went to bed a little earlier than I had the previous week, but I DID let him out right before I turned in, so I didn't think he would have a problem holding it through the night (only about 5 hrs til hubby gets up) He's been fine in the past. (We crate him during the day while at work, instead of at night) Anyway...I got over that unpleasant ordeal--short of sleep and all, thinking it was probably my fault, then he deliberately goes again last evening,in the basement, while we were ALL available to let him out... if he had indicated at his usual door, which he didn't. My hubby and I were RIGHT there by it, cooking dinner!
Now, I am really upset and distraught trying to figure out what is going on with him! Then, I get up this AM and my youngest son shows me where he did it AGAIN! I've called some local vets for advice, as we haven't established who we will go to yet. I, of course, received conflicting advice.
My concerns are: is it a medical problem? or a deliverate act of marking? If so, why all the sudden after 3 mths!?
At this point, I doubt I will be able to tolerate it, if it's a way of marking his territory, since his history is not working to his advantage. His previous owner put up with it for over a month. But between this and my allergy to him...I'm having trouble being objective. I don't really want to get rid of him because, of course, my boys are totally attached to him. But, I've been told the only solution to marking is neuturing, is this correct? If that's the case, then I have another dilemma, as we had thought about possibly breeding him since, he is such a great dog, very intelligent, minds well and beautiful in all other aspects. I know the breeding issue is probably a hot topic, since we aren't breeders.
Any advice or input ~ on the urinating issue/possible medical problem? etc ~ from all you wonderful Boxer Veterans would be very much appreciated!
A little history....
We adopted Angus almost 3 months ago from a friend. She decided to have us take him after he kept marking in her home, wherever their other dog, which is an older beagle, was laying etc. She thought it was because he was showing dominance as he was almost a year old. So we acquired him.
I've had a soft spot for him since she first got him when he was about 12 wks old, so it was a natural transition for us. He has never urinated in our home, except the first day, immediately after arriving, when he was nervous and excited to be here. Then I discovered I am allergic to him. I was finally working through the feelings that came with that acknowledgement--from resentment -(why am I keeping this animal who is making me sick and shedding all over my house?) to hurt (why did this have to happen to me? cuz I adore him) After purchasing some expensive air purifiers and having hubby bathe him more often, I felt I was finally able to look at him with joy again...then 2 days ago he started urinating around the house. The first time was in the middle of the night. Hubby said it seemed he went about a gallon on the floor, but to me it looked like his first "Aim" was at my coat! Which I found frustrating, since he NEVER lifts his leg outside to go, unless it's to mark while on walks. Needless to say, I was not thrilled to get up in the middle of the night to wash my coat before work. (Since we live in the midwest...we've been having a COLD snap and it's my only Heavy coat)....I dealt with it, giving him the benefit of the doubt, I thought maybe it was because I went to bed a little earlier than I had the previous week, but I DID let him out right before I turned in, so I didn't think he would have a problem holding it through the night (only about 5 hrs til hubby gets up) He's been fine in the past. (We crate him during the day while at work, instead of at night) Anyway...I got over that unpleasant ordeal--short of sleep and all, thinking it was probably my fault, then he deliberately goes again last evening,in the basement, while we were ALL available to let him out... if he had indicated at his usual door, which he didn't. My hubby and I were RIGHT there by it, cooking dinner!
Now, I am really upset and distraught trying to figure out what is going on with him! Then, I get up this AM and my youngest son shows me where he did it AGAIN! I've called some local vets for advice, as we haven't established who we will go to yet. I, of course, received conflicting advice.
My concerns are: is it a medical problem? or a deliverate act of marking? If so, why all the sudden after 3 mths!?
At this point, I doubt I will be able to tolerate it, if it's a way of marking his territory, since his history is not working to his advantage. His previous owner put up with it for over a month. But between this and my allergy to him...I'm having trouble being objective. I don't really want to get rid of him because, of course, my boys are totally attached to him. But, I've been told the only solution to marking is neuturing, is this correct? If that's the case, then I have another dilemma, as we had thought about possibly breeding him since, he is such a great dog, very intelligent, minds well and beautiful in all other aspects. I know the breeding issue is probably a hot topic, since we aren't breeders.
Any advice or input ~ on the urinating issue/possible medical problem? etc ~ from all you wonderful Boxer Veterans would be very much appreciated!
You might want to surf the forums (this one, the health one and the canine genetics one) so that if you *do* decide to breed him, you'll know what tests etc. you need to have done and can start setting aside the $$ for it! Also, visit