why is my lab peeing in his dog house?

Hi Shelluie welcome to the forum...

I am sorry that I cannot give you any advice but I am sure that minifoxiesgsd (Louise) will beable to give to some when she is on later.....

Welcome. I am having the same problem with Biscuit... It seems to be an age thing where they are trying to assert themselves in the pack cause they think they are big and tough....hehehheh...but they are still babies. I am told that it will pass but they can't say when.. I don't know about you but I am sick of washing everything!

Good luck.

Thanks for the welcome herbiedog!
Yacket's mum, His dog house has a wooden floor so it's not even really cleanable. We keep about 6 inches of fresh straw in there for his bedding, and within a week it's soaked in the front half of his dog house and the smell is horrible and takes your breath away! I'm worried that the fumes are going to end up hurting Avery somehow. I've only had small indoor dogs before we got Avery so I'm not used to large breed outdoor dogs. Thanks for your help - I too hope it will pass!

I would take out the straw and put in a blanket after you wash his kennel and let it dry. The blanket is also much cheaper and easy to wash. I use good disinfectant and some bleach in hot water and throw it in and at the kennel and broom off the excess water and let it dry. We had also painted the bottom of his kennel so we could wash it with no problems so that might be something you could do with left over paint. Straw gets damp with the night air and he might think that smell is someone in his home so he is marking it. Just some thoughts.

I think the advice given is good, but why can't the dog be inside? I have seen dog houses with frozen pee and they are not nice. The smell won't do anything to him but I would be worried about the build up of urine on his feet and skin if it is going into the dog house. Try some dog repellents on the kennel or put a post in the yard for him to use does he have anything else he can cock his leg on? These are all things I would try oh and if he is not neutered then do so this may stop him from marking it will should also minimise the smell.

minifoxiesgsd,
Thanks for your advice! He is my adult sons dog (but we all love him like he's ours!) and he lives outside because we recently have a 14 year old shi tzu who lives in our house and doesn't get along with other animals. My son is currently looking for a home of his own and once he gets one, Avery will become an indoor dog. When he's not with my son or outside playing, he stays in his large outdoor kennel and has always just pee'd on the sides of the kennel up until about 2 weeks ago. I was wondering if maybe he has a bladder infection or something? So I starting searching the internet trying to find an answer and stumbled onto this forum - I'm glad I did - I think I will enjoy it very much!

Hello, as Yacket's Mum say's the smell of the straw seem's to be makin him think there's some-1 in his kennel an he's just markin his place. Would definately try a rug or simlar.
An as minifoxiesgsd sujested, wat would be the problem with him movin inside ??? I have never had strickly outdoor m8's, they have alway's enjoy'd total freedom within the family home.

Ahh just seen the reason he is outdoor's, but it's also a good thing to allow him to try an socialize.

Put mean shih in another room, bring Avery in from the cold and see if he gets happier, at least at night.
(said with sympathy to you but also Avery)

Or even buy a crate for Avery so he can socialise with the Shih Tzu without the danger of hurting it. I think the dog would be much happier inside at night with his pack. Great advice guys!!

See... I knew everyone would come up with some good advice....

I'm just a hopeless dog owner... so good job for the forums..

Herbie is just spoilt to bits ..sleep outside ..no way.. prefers our bed.. but then again he is only a smallie... so how come he needs most of the bed...

I know what you mean Liz, seems Mingo decides where I will be on the bed..

Cause they just do hilary weighs an tiny 3 and half kilos but takes up a large part of a queensize bed. Now liz when are you going to post those gorgeous puppy photos of herbie that you have on facebook?

Hi there nice to meet you!!! Try removing the straw and spray the kennel with vinegar. Vinegar will neutralize the scent of urine and discourage him from marking his teritory in the same spot If you need to use traw put a light layer of lime on the floor. It will help absorb the odour but make sure he cant lick the lime under the straw. we would use lime on the floor in the horse stables to get rid of odours. but a blanket in the house and wash it in a vinager solution mixed in water if he urinates on his blanket.
Hope I havent confused you...
Hey Labs rule!!!!

I am with sharreem clean it out with vinigar it is what i use with my guinea pigs..

I am not going to say use a blacket, If you get snow ect when the dog runs around and the snow melts in the kennel the blanket will absorb the water and become very wet and cold.. Keep up the straw maybe another sort of very absorbent bedding like shavings under the straw? that way is he does pee it is not a bad as it will be absorbed..

hi and welcome! i understand u cant have him inside as i have just moved to a place were the owners have said no dogs inside at all!
if we cant have em inside all we can do is make them as comfy and as warm as possible in their outside home (kennel)
im not sure what u should do with this problem but i would do everything suggested and see if it works!
i certainly wouldnt want to sleep in wee lol
but good luck and plz let us no how thingys go!?
also if u try everything with no luck! go see ur vet they might be able to help somehow