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If you’re here to learn how to stop your dog from marking in the house, you’ve come to the right place. Because we know that when you imagined raising a dog, you didn’t necessarily anticipate your pup going around your home and leaving pee stains everywhere. Not only can it leave unsightly marks on your floor and furniture, it can also be a frustrating and stressful time for canine and human alike.
But fear not! If you’re currently tackling this challenge with your dog or wondering how to stop a dog from marking, we have effective strategies that you can implement to get your pup’s potty habits back on track to restore harmony in your home.
In this blog we are going to clarify exactly what marking is (and how it differs from regular urination) as well as reasons why your dog is currently marking in the house. Most importantly, we’ll also share our top tips on how to stop your dog marking, so your canine can start to build happy, healthy toilet habits instead.
Remember pet parents, with the right training techniques, patience and commitment, you can make progress towards resolving this common canine behavior issue for good. So grab a notebook and pen, and let’s get started.
Before we start looking at the solutions, it’s important to first understand what this behavior is and how it differs from regular urination.
In short, it’s a natural behavior where dogs (usually male) eliminate small amounts of urine in a certain area. This is predominantly to communicate with other dogs “this is my territory!” or to assert dominance. It is very strategic and plays an important role in the dog world of conveying certain social messages.
Regular urination, in comparison, provides a more practical function of simply getting rid of waste emptying the bladder. It also typically involves eliminating larger quantities of pee.
If you pay close attention to your dog’s toileting habits, you’ll most definitely notice a difference between the two. Marking is small amounts of urine in selective spaces - such as specific objects or targeting vertical surfaces - whilst regular urination is larger amounts of urine in more randomized areas.
Understanding the differences between the two is vital, as this will help you to better understand what is and isn’t appropriate marking behavior.
One reason why your dog may be marking in the house is due to stress and anxiety. For example, notable changes in the house or even moving to a new house, can trigger this behavior. Similarly, the introduction of a new pet or a family member being absent can both contribute to a dog feeling uncertain and insecure.
The result of this is that a dog may then mark in the house as a way to re-establish their territory and also alleviate any feelings of anxiety.
Specifically for male dogs, if they’ve encountered a female dog who is in heat, then this can cause a strong instinctual reaction in your male dog. This is because the female dog will have emitted pheromones that signpost her “green light” status to reproduce.
These pheromones, in turn, then work to stimulate a male dog’s territorial instincts. So as a consequence he may then mark his surroundings to assert his dominance, simultaneously signaling his presence to other males and his own reproductive status.
Equally, a male dog may be incredibly excited and aroused when coming into close proximity with a female dog in heat. This can also contribute to an increase in his indoor marking behaviors.
A dog marking indoors can also be an indicator of underlying or known medical issues. For example, your dog could be suffering from bladder stones or a urinary tract infection, as medical issues such as these can often lead to more urination accidents occurring. So it may be a case of your dog urinating indoors due to their inability to hold their urine full stop, or due to some other form of discomfort.
Last but not least, one of the most prominent reasons a male dog in particular may be marking in the house is because of an instinctive need to mark their territory. As we explained earlier, marking is a key way dogs communicate with one another, as it both allows them to establish territorial boundaries and communicate ownership over a certain area or environment.
Whether they’re doing it for their own sense of confidence or control over a space, or because a new dog has recently entered their space, a dog may mark in a house because of this reason and a combination of the others listed above.
Now that you have a better understanding of what factors may be motivating your dog to mark in the house, the next step is to implement measures to stop your dog’s urine marking indoors.
Below, we’ve listed our top suggestions on how to stop a male dog from marking, including creating a calmer environment and reducing their stress, encouraging proper behavior using positive reinforcement or interrupting your dog in the act, plus more. Check it out.
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One train of thought very much relates back to the social dynamic within your home, and recognizing that dogs are pack animals. Which is why establishing your authority as a leader can play a valuable role in addressing your dog’s marking behavior.
We categorically do not recommend training with fear or intimidation, but instead “asserting” your dominance by having clear training techniques and boundaries for your dog. Most dogs thrive by knowing what’s expected of them, so be consistent with your training, ensure rules are enforced consistently, and be clear what boundaries you’re putting in place.
Likewise, when enforcing these boundaries do not be aggressive or loud; simply be confident and assertive with your commands. This will help your dog to better recognize your authority as pack leader and respect you by following your rules.
As we explained earlier, stress can be a key contributing factor to a dog urinating indoors. To tackle this behavior, pay close attention to your dog’s environment and work to identify what may be causing your dog stress. Where possible, minimize these stressors to help facilitate a calm and stable environment.
We understand that not all stressors can be completely removed and may be out of your control, so in this case ensure your canine companion is receiving plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to help with this. You can also always consider using calming aids, like natural herbal supplements created for dogs and even pheromone diffusers.
And don’t feel limited to tackling your dog’s stress from one angle; try a combination of the above suggestions to see what best helps to promote relaxation for your dog, to help reduce their need to mark indoors.
We are huge fans of training dogs using positive reinforcement here at Potty Buddy, because this is always going to be a more effective method to shaping and modifying your dog’s behavior than being loud or aggressive ever could.
To help train your dog to eliminate outdoors rather than indoors, each time your dog goes to the toilet outdoors, make sure to praise and reward them. This can either be with exaggerated verbal praise and affection, or with some tasty repeats. Remember to use consistent verbal cues like “good boy/girl” or “good dog!”
Be patient and don’t forget that repetition is key here. The more you reinforce that going to the toilet outdoors = positive outcomes like praise or treats, the more your dog will be motivated to do this rather than marking indoors.
If your dog has marked indoors, it’s important to limit their access to this area and give it a thorough clean. This is because your dog will otherwise be attracted back to this same area and encouraged to repeat this behavior.
Clean the area with enzymatic cleaners to remove lingering odors, and in the meantime restrict their access by blocking off the space, closing the door or even installing a baby gate. By making these spots inaccessible, this will help to discourage your canine companion from navigating back to this area to repeat the behavior.
One effective way to break the habit is to interrupt your dog in the act itself, and to redirect them from marking indoors. You can gently startle them by making a loud noise or clapping your hands to catch their attention. Once your dog is focused on you, you can then quickly direct them outdoors or to a designated toilet space, where you can then direct them to finish eliminating.
Again, it’s important to stress here that we’re not suggesting you punish your dog or physically harm them to interrupt this behavior. Your dog simply won’t understand why they’re being reprimanded, as to them this seems a natural act.
Rather, focus on identifying signs that they’re about to mark so you can pre-empt this behavior and instead redirect them to their appropriate bathroom area. The more you do this, the more your dog will catch on and realize what you want from them.
If you’re finding that despite consistent training, your dog is still marking indoors, you may wish to consider investing in a dog belly band. If you’re unfamiliar with what this is, a belly band is basically fabric that you can wrap around your dog’s waist to protect their genitals.
A belly band will not only capture any urination, it can also serve as a temporary deterrent to indoor marking. They’re particularly useful if you can’t keep an eagle eye on your dog all the time or you need some extra support during the initial training period.
We would, however, stress that belly bands aren’t a single solution. Instead, they should be used in conjunction with the other tips we’ve listed above - such as using positive reinforcement to train your dog in appropriate toilet habits. This will help set your pup up for long-term success.
Finally, if your dog is not already neutered, this is something we’d strongly suggest to help tackle this behavior. Especially in male dogs, if their marking indoors is being motivated by hormones, neutering can be a big help in managing this instinctive drive.
Although it’s not a 100% guaranteed solution, this procedure decreases testosterone levels and can help to lessen a dog’s urge to mark territory, particularly useful if your male dog is being frequently exposed to female dogs in heat.
We would recommend consulting with a trusted veterinarian to determine if neutering is appropriate for your dog.
So now you understand what factors may be motivating your dog to mark indoors and the key strategies to tackle this behavior. Remember, if choosing to implement our suggested strategies, at no stage should you punish your dog.
They simply won’t understand why they’re being punished, as to them this is a natural response to what they’re feeling internally. If you’re really struggling we would suggest seeking professional help, such as from a veterinarian or dog behaviorist, who can help by offering advice tailored to your specific dog and situation.
Confidence, calm and consistency are key ingredients to help effectively train your dog out of this impulse to mark indoors. By being patient and committed to the journey, you can once again achieve a clean and harmonious living environment for both you and your canine companion.
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