We have a male Rat Terrier that we got 2 1/2 years ago.  We "potty trained" him as a puppy and that went fairly well.  As he got older we discovered that he had been sneaking around and peeing in odd places.  Always in inconspicuous places. So we started over with the potty training but it only got worse.  I talked to the vet about it and he said that it would help if we neutered him so we did.  The problem subsided but I don't think it ever went away.  Now, he has started it again but outside on the patio, in his dish, in the window sills and everywhere he chooses.  I took him for a walk in the park recently and he was busy marking the trees and then he hiked his leg on MY FOOT!  It is getting very tiresome and I'm about ready to give up and try to find him a new owner.  It's obvious that what we are doing is not working.  I really think that it has to do with attention because it seems that he does it when we are doing something else besides giving him our attention which isn't often.  We play with him every day but we can't play with him ALL day!  Hope someone has some ideas OR knows someone that can train him and give him a new home.

I have two intact male ratties. Neither one does marking in the house. But I agree that you should clean or have professionally cleaned all the little places he marked. Was wondering at one time if there was a cat in the house, only because he opted to mark on a windowsill. Males will mark their territory consistantly if there is marking from something else. Like when my two are outside one will be and the other will go right over top of it. But I don't have issues inside the house with either of them. There are lots of experienced trainers on here that will give you good advice, if you feel your not up for the challenge please, please let us know so we can help you find a home for your rattie.

I haven't had a problem with my male Rat terrier except when another dog has been to my house. Mine went in the house only twice, once as an 8 week old puppy and once when I left him all day while at work. To stop him from going to those spots I had to spray the areas, I used ammonia but you can go to petco or other pet companies and get a product called Nature's Miracle, a pet spot and odor remover. My fiance and I used it in his car when mice and lizards got in the a/c duct work and messed all in there. It gets rid of the odor so the animal doesn't go back to that area again. I can't say it will work, but it is worth a try, the critters haven't gotten back in the car as yet. It's better than having to give up your dog. Also if you have a fenced yard install a doggie door and then he can go out to do his business even when you can't be home. On thing is for sure, I have never had any luck in training a dog not to do that by rubbing their nose in it. More often than not trying that can get you bitten for sure. Hope you can find a cure for the problem. Rat terriers are loving and I sure would hate for you to have to find another home for your dog. Let me know how it goes.

Rattagan's Mom

 Oh My I know what you are going through. I have two female ratties that I got a few months ago. They were about a year old. I have had a terrible time house breaking these two. One was a "sneeky pee pee girl". I am in a wheel chair so it was so hard to watch these two girls all the time. I think we have finally gotten it through to these two that going in the house is unacceptable. We have had no accidents in a while. My carpets need professional cleaning, but we have used all kinds of products on their messes. I put them in the cage right away after finding a mess and sternly tell them "not nice", If I am only and near the patio door out they go. When they do go outside I praise them a lot. I try to watch them "going" to make sure who does what

Oh best wishes to you and do not give up.

Thanks to everyone that is trying to help us with Bogart.  (Yes, as in Humphrey Bogart)  He is crate trained or I wouldn't be able to do anything else except watch him.  He used to stay on his bed all night but he started getting up in the middle of the night and peeing on the wall and furniture.  See what I mean by sneaky.  So now he stays in his crate at night.  Also, I wouldn't dare leave him at home alone without putting him in the crate.  He's just too revengeful.  When I talked to the vet about this, he said that dogs "mark their territory" mainly for mating purposes.  So when he is marking, he is basically putting all his info out there such as hold old he is, and so on so females can find him.  I think he thinks he is Mr. Stud dog.  Anyway, I will try the advise Tracey gave and keep you posted as to his progress.

Thanks again!