I really need some help. We have 3 male jacks. One is 13, one is 11, and one is 6. The older two are brothers from 2 different litters and have always gotten along. We took in the third because the owner couldn't keep him. There has been some fighting with the oldest dog and the youngest to establish dominance. The problem is that they are now all marking in the house. We clean with soap and water and then put a scent blocker on the spot. We have tried diapers on the dogs. We have come to a cross roads, we need a solution or one will have to go. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Just so you know, we live in the US, in Wisconsin, so we have wonderful summers and cold winters. We live on a 3 acre lot in the country with an invisible fence around the whole 3 acres, so the dogs have plenty of yard to run and dig in. The dogs are confined to a laundry room during the day while we are gone, but not confined to separate cages. Again, any help would be appreciated, we would hate to give up one of the dogs. Thanks

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm afraid you may find it a little quiet as most of us Brits are settling down for the night but we'll do our best to communicate :-)

So do they mark everywhere or just in the laundry room while you are gone? Do you know which is the main culprit? When we were trying to establish which of our two dogs marked in the kitchen many years ago the vet recommended feeding beetroot to one of the dogs in the hope that the pee would be pink so we would know by the colour of the pee which one it was. Have you ever tried to make a Jack Russell eat beetroot LOL!

Before the youngest dog joined the pack were your older two reliably house trained? I know with our boys (brothers from different litters) the older one never was - we could prevent him peeing in the house when we were home by putting him outside at regular intervals but he never chose to go out and pee - he would be happy to pee in the hallway if no one sent him outside.

Fiona Ffluffi Joy, Manny Moo, Ojo the little black piglet and Toffee - the ultimate rescue dog!

Take a look at my photos - [www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk]

Jack Russells really are the easiest dog to look after - all they ask is a warm bed, a kind word, a good meal - and total world domination!

They mark all over the house. We do have them confined to the kitchen, eating and living room by gates. Until recently they did not pee in the laundry room, but have since started, which is strange because i thought they wouldn't go where they sleep. I believe the oldest and the youngest are the 2 culprits. They seem to be the ones fighting for dominance. The older 2 were reliably house trained before the 3rd came along. I'll let you brits get a little sleep and check back 2morrow. Thanks.

Is it territory marking or actual peeing? and are all or any of them desexed?

It's territorial marking and they all are neutered. They spend plenty of time outside also.

Thats a tough one especially as two of the dogs are doing it. It does sound like a territory thing though. This article might help although its focus is on neutering [www.veterinarypartner.com]