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I sure hope I am posting in the correct forum. I have scoured all of the boards, but I am at a loss!

My young adult dog has just discovered how to lift and aim! His target is the air conditioner unit that is on the patio. Gah! I can't catch him doing it, but I SEE the results and in the summer I can imagine the smell! Plus, he is going to destroy the unit!!!!!!!

What can I do? Spraying with "don't go there" products are useless. My DH thinks we could put up some kind of barrier to protect the unit(more patio stones, a wrought iron type of fencing, etc.)

I doubt the ironwork will be sufficient, as he will still be able to aim. Has anyone had a similar problem?

What did you do? I don't want anything to look too wacky, so I'm at a loss.

Am I pushing my luck to ask for pictures and ideas? Please?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: talkingrose,

talkingrose!

I hear you! If the dog is a heavier larger dog, of course his aim is going to be longer and more of the liquid will get sent in one direction. But, this is a 'vertical' target thing, he does not care or know it is the A/C unit, it is ANY vertical target he wants to get at. If you plant any new trees (young seedlings) you will see they become a target as well, so will the new barrier. So, measure the stream distance this dog has, and make sure the fence is at least that distance away from A/C unit. He keeps going to the same places to spray because he is remarking his territory. There might be another animal also doing this 'marking' and he has to constantly re-affirm his area. You may need to watch him in the yard to see what other damage he might be starting a habit of doing!

First is to make a barrier around the A/C unit, after all you intend on keeping the dog, and the A/C unit so they must co-exist! lol In our former house, the builder had put a 3' fence around the A/C unit outside. This kept any large animal away from the unit. If you have a fenced in yard, then you can choose another type of fence to go around the A/C unit that is see-through (allows more air flow) such as chain link, or the wrought iron fence you mentioned, budget and visual requirements will dictate what materials you use.

Then after the fence/barrier is in place, you can clean the unit again to rid of any residue. They sell products to rid of germs and scents.

Good luck with your project!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

This article address how to clean the unit and also mentions that dogs are marking their terroritory when they do this to AC units.
http://www.ehow.com/how_846422...after-dog-urine.html


Other articles echoed the advice here...build a fence around the unit.

Froo that is a good article! Learned something today...

You folks are just the best!

So, now I am off to look for pictures of enclosures that surround air conditioners. Froo, thanks so much for the article. I feel less alone now, LOL!

My dog is a sheltie, and he is the cutest, furriest and most stubborn buddy that I could ask for. I noticed this morning that he has begun to "mark" the side of the garage, too.

Yes Mary, his aim and distance is phenomenal! It's going to be a looooong summer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: talkingrose,

I have seen either at Lowe's or Home Depot small fences that are meant to hide trash cans. They are normally in 3 hinged sections and you can move them for what ever configuration you need. The ones I have seen are made of vinyl similar to vinyl fencing so you could wash if you need to.

If he has not been neutered, and you are not planning to breed him, have this done at once or your problem will only get worse. If they are neutered young enough, they will never begin this behavior. Not trying to lecture, just did not know if you are aware of this.

I feel your pain. My Schnoodle pees on every single vertical surface he can find. We never had him neutered. My bad.

This is why my father never wanted male dogs.

My advice?
Get a pu**ycat.
(Just teasing. I love dogs too)

Ah-Ha!!! Neuter him, huh?

You know, we were going to do this, but my husband wanted to wait. I have NO idea why, but he just seemed to drag his feet.

A part of me thought the territory marking might lessen after neutering, but I wasn't sure. We just discussed this last night, before I read the messages.

Neutering is on the schedule for next week!

I also seem to remember some vinyl-type fencing, so we will look into that as well. Thanks!

I just LOVE you guys!

a lot of men are really adverse to having a pet neutered. When I suggested having our cat taken care of, you would think that I was proposing that he, himself, have the surgery. He just went ballistic::::laughing::::::::

quote:

Originally posted by sms29s66:
This is why my father never wanted male dogs.

Ditto! Only it's ME who's never wanted male pets. Our first was a male and he was a PITA...between the leg lifting and the hump ing, I was grossed out. All subsequent pets were female.

This product works beautifully on floors with pet urine odors. You might consider using it for cleaning your AC unit. If you google "Odoban" you can find reviews of the product.

OdoBan

Good luck!

~Lady50

Oh interesting...I've always had female dogs, so I've missed out on all this leg hiking business..

Anyway, I have a friend who was training his cat not use the bathroom behind the doors in his house.

He found this motion activated canned air that he would put in the spots said Kitty would "go". As you walk by the can, it sprays a puff of air, scaring the pet away from that area. It worked for his kitty.

Don't know if that would help after you build your fence or not...they are bit pricy (in my opinion) but might work.

This was the brand he used:

http://www.amazon.com/Innotek-...ng-Aid/dp/B000RIA95G

quote:

Originally posted by arepo:
My advice?
Get a pu**ycat.
(Just teasing. I love dogs too)

Female cats maybe. Male cats still spray...and talk about STINK!

You guys are just so smart!

I have truly enjoyed checking back and reading all of your various comments.

HGTV'ers can take a subject and turn it upside down, inside out and shake it out. I LOVE IT!!!!! My name isn't Talkiing Rose for nothing! I enjoy discussion!

Since my last escapade, I might as well tell you my darlin' dog ate through an aspirin bottle and then proceeded to chew a few, once the bottle was punctured.

I was in a panic! I ran to the computer and my son grabbed his phone. We both googled and found out how to make him vomit....After thwarting the near catastrophe, I sat down to tell my HGTV experts all about it.

My careless son (the one who left the bottle on the floor ) thinks I'm crazy for relaying this info...

So, tell me, who knows what to do if your dog ingests something of this nature? No fair peeking, or googling like I did.

I AM BETTING THAT ALL OF YOU KNOW!

Hydrogen peroxide?

Ding! Ding! Ding!

You are so right! I had no idea until this happened. I used a turkey baster to squirt it into his mouth and toward the back of his throat.