Q: My female Lab mix is 16 months old and spayed, and has been housebroken with no accidents for about a year now. Periodically over the past 6 months we have taken care of a friend's neutered male Lab mix and their dog always has a bowel movement in our house at one time or another, without fail. Now OUR dog has begun urinating in the rec room right over the spot where the male dog had his last accident (maybe 3 weeks ago). If we keep the door to the basement closed so she can't get down there she's fine, but as soon as she gets an opportunity she does it again.

Is this a case of a female dog marking her territory? I never knew they did that. What can I do to stop this behavior? Also, is there anything I can do to get rid of the scent? I've cleaned the area, but I know that dogs can detect the scent through the cleaner.

A: I think you can solve this problem in two steps. Step one, use a bacterial enzyme odor eliminator product such as Nature's Miracle to DEEPLY treat where this has been happening. Step two, the next time there is an accident there, while it is still wet (or fresh, if it's poop you've had to pick up) slosh white vinegar there deeply, to penetrate well into the carpet pad.

If you catch a spot while still wet/fresh, vinegar will work. If it dries first, then you have to go to the bacterial enzyme product. From watching my dogs and visiting dogs over the years, I think the vinegar serves as a "scent deterrent," so when you catch a spot that's fresh, do give that a try. I personally don't feel it matters whether the dog sees you perform the cleaning/treatment or not.

I think these two steps will handle the scent problem that is causing the dogs to be stimulated to do this. Bless your heart for realizing that instead of getting mad at your dog!