Bofur the Cardi

Just posting to preserve my URL for now.

My poor little pup seems to have injured his back. We're just back from the emergency vet, and he's got a pain med and an anti-inflammatory, which he's taken, and now I'm really hoping that he just sleeps for the night, because all the stress has done a number on my gut, and I'm kind of in a shape myself, as we say here in the south. We're going to his regular vet in the morning for follow up and to make sure he's on the right needs, and that he doesn't need further tests. Good mojo is much appreciated.

Bofur has started marking in the house every once in a while, and I'm just not at all sure I'm handling it properly because I've never had a boy dog before. He's only done it a few times so far, and he's going to be neutered next month, which I hope will help things. I know that he's declaring what is his territory, and trying to keep other dogs away from us, or he's reacting to an unspayed female in the neighborhood or another unneutered male, and I'm not furious with him because he marks so much as I'm frustrated that I can't seem to find the proper response, and I feel like I overreact. Here's what I do: clap my hands and say NO! very sternly, clean the spot thoroughly with enzyme cleaner, and I've closed off rooms where he's marked and only let him in when I'm with him. And I've rechecked where he's marked to be sure I've gotten the spots truly cleaned. So far I've always caught him in the act, according to my handy UV flashlight. I worry about how much reaction after the fact is appropriate. I'm usually really angry with both of us for a little while, and I do my best to just clamp down on too much "bad dog" talk, but how much reprimand is too much? Also, please believe me when I say I would never physically punish him for anything. I just wouldn't. And that I understand that he genuinely doesn't understand that his behavior is a problem. So any tips you more experienced owners of boys can offer is much appreciated. Thanks.