Why is my dog peeing in or around the litter box?

Question

we just got a new kitten,and all of a sudden the dog is peeing in or beside the litter box, I'm thinking it might be a territorial thing, or jealousy?

Answer 1

You bet, this is classic dominant behavior, marking territory. Take a dog for a walk and watch how many times the dog will leave a mark if you let it. Your problem is you have not exerted enough dominant behavior over the dog. The dog has to see that the dog and kitten are both submissive to YOU. You are not being the alpha dog in the pack, and your dog is trying to be, at least as far as the intruder is concerned. It is not jealousy so much as simply dominance. The problem is really that the kitten is too young to know how to return the favor and exert dominance over the dog, which is where you jump in and exert dominance to show protection. My mom did something, which might work for you. SHe sat on the floor, leaning against the couch, kitten in her lap. Then she called the dog and had the dog lie down next to her and then she laid her arm over the dog to simply hold the dog at her side. Sooner or later, the dog will want to leave, and you simply do not let it leave, gentle restraint, not force. Just a firm NO word and hold the dog at your side. Let the dog leave if it appears desperate. You do not want to force the dog, just let the dog know firmly that you want the dog to STAY when it wants to leave. Make sure the kitten stays in your lap the entire time and the dog clearly SEES this. It worked for my mom to introduce a kitten, maybe it will work for you. I think one reason it worked is that my mom sat on the floor, at the level of the dog. One last thing, be sure to treat them both equally. If the dog is not allowed to do something, then neither is the cat. The dog will KNOW if unfair treatment is in the works and will be much less cooperative. After all, how would YOU feel if the new kid on the block, an interloper, got special favored treatment in what you consider to be your territory?

Answer 2

Yes, it is a territorial thing. I don't think your dog really likes the kitten.

Answer 3

Your dog is just marking. It's pretty common. I would just worry that your dog will start doing it in other places. So I would discourage this action before it gets to be a problem.

Answer 4

Your dog smells the urine smell and thinks that is where he should go to the bathroom. It is much the same effect as the puppy potty training drops. The drops smell like urine, therefore, it is  a territorial thing for them.

Answer 5

Territorial.  

Answer 6

He has had s*x with your cat.