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My Pet World: Dogs May 'look Guilty,' But They Don't Feel Guilty The Way Humans Do

That "guilty look" from your dog is not an admission of guilt as you and I know it, but him reacting solely to your displeasure with him, writes Cathy M. Rosenthal.

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Cathy M. Rosenthal

Dear Cathy: My 2-year-old Rottweiler is peeing on and around almost everything in my home for no obvious reason. I have two Rottweilers (both from the same litter), and the other one does nothing of the sort. It's not like he has to pee; he lifts his leg and spritzes on furniture, table legs, carpets, the walls and even on his own feeding tray.

I've tried "stay away" sprays and blocking him from areas where he does this, but nothing helps. I put him immediately in his crate when he does this, and he knows he's done something wrong. Any suggestions? I'm at my breaking point. He's ruining my home. — Frances, Elmhurst, New York

Dear Frances: That "guilty look" is not an admission of guilt as you and I know it; it's him reacting solely to your displeasure with him. He is not likely making a connection that he has done anything wrong, only that you're mad at him.

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There are many reasons your dog may be marking.

If your dog is not neutered, he is doing what sexually mature male dogs do. They never quite empty their bladder because they need small bits of urine to continually mark their territory. The urine attracts females and tells other male dogs to stay away. The fact that your other dog is not doing this tells me that the one doing it is the more dominant dog. This behavior generally develops when neutering is delayed until after sexual maturity.

If your dog is neutered, then your dog may be asserting dominance over the other dog in the home. Dogs also may mark territory when they're anxious, when there is stress in the house, when there is conflict among pets, when there is a new baby or family member, when there is a job loss or when they can see other animals outside, etc.

Neuter both dogs right away if they are not already. Neutering after sexual maturity can sometimes reduce marking, depending on how ingrained this habit is for your dog.

Clean offenses with enzymatic cleaners to remove all biologicals and the lingering odor. Continue to use "stay away" sprays.

Remove dirty laundry, shoes, purses, etc., from the floor, as these are everyday items that can be targeted.

Resolve stresses between family members or animals if they exist. Doggie calming chews and relaxation videos can help create a calmer environment. You can also use pheromone collars or plug-ins to create a more relaxed setting.

If a new person has moved in, let that person feed, groom and play with your dog. If it's a new baby, make sure you give your dog lots of attention when the baby is around.

Cover any windows or doors where your dog can see other animals outside. If a dog is frustrated that they can't get to another animal outside, they may mark in the home.

Train him. Training builds a dog's confidence and reduces anxiety, which can lead to marking.

Finally, restrict access to parts of the home when you can't supervise him. Interrupt him in the act, when possible, by making a loud noise or clapping. Then take him outside and praise and treat him when he urinates.

Dear Cathy: I read your column about the Basenji who ran around crazily after a bath. My two small dogs used to jump up on my bed or couch after a bath, lie on their backs and rub themselves vigorously. I wonder if perhaps they were trying to rub a familiar scent on themselves because they didn't like the smell of the shampoo. — Judy, Rozet, Wyoming

Dear Judy: You're correct! It's generally thought that dogs run around in circles and roll around on the ground after a bath to get rid of the shampoo scent. Dogs much prefer to smell like grass and dirt and will work quickly to regain their familiar odor. They also may be trying to dry themselves. Either way, rolling on the grass achieves both of those things.

Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.Com. Please include your name, city and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.

These Stylish Dog Crates Double As Home Decor

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Natural Ivory Gabled Modern Dog Crate

VIA MERCHANT Best for giant dogs Gabled Modern Dog Crate

For dog lovers who want to go the extra mile for jumbo size canines, consider this Gabled Modern Dog Crate from WLOWood. Rather than serving as an end table, the design mirrors human homes, with the gabled design a sure conversation starter. It comes in four sizes, including a jumbo design that can accommodate dogs up to 149 pounds. The custom design costs more, but includes your choice of bed cover material and the option to have your dog's name inscribed on a bone name panel. This product has a nearly-perfect 4.9-star rating—like these Amazon pet products with nearly-perfect reviews. The cute design will have his tail wagging—and guests' tongues talking.

Pros

Four sizes, including for jumbo dogs

Cute and clever design

Custom cushion and personalization included

Vertical slat openings on sides and floor for ventilation

Wood finish available in walnut, white, gray, black and green

Thousands of five-star Etsy reviews

Easy assembly

Cons

On the pricier side (but custom bed and personalized name plate are included in cost of this handmade piece)

Not chew-proof or escape-proof

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What to look for when buying dog crate furniture

Consider the following factors when selecting the best dog crate furniture for your pup:

Size: A tiny pup grows up, so choose a product that will fit his adult size. For puppy training purposes, the crate shouldn't have extra space where the pup can potty in one side and sleep in the other. Adult dogs need enough room to stand up, turn around and sleep without crowding. While your dog is standing, measure his length from nose to base of tail (do not measure all the way to tip of tail or the crate will be too large). While your pup is sitting, measure his height from floor to top of head. Add another five inches to your dog's length and height measurements to get general dimensions. His weight may also be a consideration.

Material: Dog crate furniture implies sturdy construction, but that can include plastic, metal, wood or other material. Consider what fits your style.

Safety: Remember that dogs may do the unexpected. Chewing not only damages dog crate furniture, but it can also hurt canine teeth (and if swallowed, could cause internal injuries). Upset dogs may destroy the bed padding, tip over the crate or destroy the catch tray trying to escape. There are dog treats on the market to help prevent chewing and calm your dog. Dog crate furniture should have good airflow and visibility for you and your dog to see each other, not wobble if your dog turns around and shouldn't accidentally catch a paw or tail.

Assembly: Smaller dog crate furniture may come fully assembled, but for large dogs, find out ahead of time what tools are required.

Movability: Consider if you'll need to move the crate once in place. Some collapse for convenient movement or storage. But since others are meant to function as furniture, they may not be as transportable.

Clean-up: Also take note of cleaning access, especially if you must confine your dog for potty training or illness (be sure to stock up on puppy pads and diapers for these instances). Most dog crate furniture uses wood, which takes extra care to keep tidy from messes or water bowl spills. (Speaking of, you may want to check out one of these no-spill water bowls).

Accessibility: Dog crate furniture with more than one entry—front and back, or front and sides, for instance—offers more flexibility for placement in the home, and for ventilation for the dog's comfort. It also makes placing a comfy dog bed in the bottom easier.

How we found the best dog furniture

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we're only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product's quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ What room should a dog crate be in?

Dogs thrive when treated as part of the family. Place the crate beside your bed if that's where the dog will sleep at night. Or, since dog crate furniture fits into your existing decor, place it in the family room where you spend most of your time.

Can you put things on top of a dog crate?

If designed to serve as dog crate furniture, the top usually can hold the same type of items as a side table or credenza. Check the specifications of the individual product first. Also, consider if having items you need to interact with (like a computer or media system) would disrupt your dog's resting place. It's your dog's safe den and happy retreat, so choose wisely.

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