Expert: Delores Beck - 12/10/2008

Question
My female (1yr.)old cocker has frequently been peeing in the house. We also have another female cocker, they are sisters. The third dog in the house is also a female (11 month old) Golden Retriever. I wonder if the peeing is a dominance issue, and how we can handle this. The cocker usually picks one room, and she hates walking on the grass too. When it rains (wet) that's another issue. She also guards the food and humps the Golden, we are having a dominance issue and can't get a male, no more than 3 dogs allowed. Any ideas?

Answer
When did this start, Keith?  If she's been a good, housebroken dog and has suddenly started this then the first thing I'd do is get her checked for a UTI before assuming this is behavioral.

No need for a vet visit - just get a first morning sample in a sterile container and drop it off at the vet's office.  If you can't go immediately, then refrigerate it.

In any group of dogs, one will be the alpha and whether it's male or female is up for grabs.  I don't think the urinating is connected to that, however.  What you have is a trio of young dogs and they're doing their "pack" thing.  Make sure they all know YOU are the pack leader :)
Delores