Why Do Dogs Mark? + How to Curb Marking Indoors
It is a commonly known fact that dogs love to mark their territory. Male dogs in particular have a reputation for urinating in places they shouldn’t, but any dog can mark when given the chance. Marking is a natural behavior, but can become problematic if done too frequently or if done indoors. Luckily, there are ways to reduce indoor marking to prevent any damage to your home.
Why do dogs mark their territory?
As you’ve likely noticed, most dogs will sniff a spot before they urinate on it. This is due to the fact that dogs have pheromones in their urine that act as chemical messengers. Pheromones allow dogs to learn about one another through scent. After dogs have thoroughly investigated another’s spot, they naturally want to leave one of their own. While marking is most common in intact males, neutered males and female dogs can also be known to leave their scent where other dogs have previously urinated
Is marking always bad?
Marking is a natural behavior for all dogs to communicate with one another. It’s not inherently bad, but can become problematic when done indoors.
Most importantly, if you’ve noticed that your dog has been marking indoors more frequently, especially for housebroken dogs, you should contact your vet. Frequent urination could be a cause of concern, especially if it seems to come on suddenly.
How to curb marking indoors?
Once you’ve spoken to your vet and determined that your pet has no underlying health issues, you can begin to consider solutions to frequent indoor marking.
There are many things that can trigger a dog to mark indoors, so it’s important to consider your dog’s environment and determine whether or not any social changes have been made recently. Some environmental factors that could influence marking include:
Recently moving houses
New people frequenting the home
A new animal in or around the home, such as a next door neighbor’s new dog
A new work schedule or change in routine
Any stressful or anxiety-inducing situation for your dog
Marking can be a way for your dog to communicate that they are feeling unhappy about a situation. If you think that anxiety could be the root of your dog’s marking, it’s important to make time for fun, enriching activities to stimulate their mind and ease their stress.
If your dog isn’t showing any signs of anxiety or hasn’t recently been in a stressful situation, there are still solutions to their frequent urination issues.
Block off any known marking areas, especially if your dog tends to mark in one area repeatedly. This could look like shutting bedroom doors or installing baby gates to certain areas of the house.
Supervise your dog around new objects, particularly those made of wood. Most dogs tend to mark their territory on trees, so wooden furniture can become a tempting place to urinate. If you notice a difference in body language, or if they seem particularly fascinated by one spot, distract them with a toy, chew, or lick mat. Fun, engaging activities are more likely to hold your dog’s attention, reducing their urge to mark.
Consider a Belly Band. Belly Bands or male wraps are a diaper-adjacent article that only covers a male dog’s genitalia. These should be fitted properly before use to reduce the risk of falling off or leaking. Belly Bands aren’t necessarily a long-term solution and should only be used for short periods of time. They can be especially helpful if you’re bringing your dog to a new indoor environment, like a friend’s house. No one wants the embarrassment of your dog urinating in someone else’s home, so male wraps can be a great solution for temporary peace of mind.
In contrast to indoor marking, attempting to control outdoor marking can be unrealistic as it is many dogs’ primary method of communication. However, if you’re in a location that may be inappropriate for your dog to mark, there are a few methods to try.
Supervise your dog closely. If they begin to sniff one spot for a prolonged amount of time, quickly call them back to you. Having a solid recall is important for many reasons, but can be beneficial in avoiding urination on other people’s property.
Monitor where they tend to mark. If your dog is frequently urinating in spaces they shouldn’t, such as a neighbor’s flower bed, you can engage with them to keep their focus as you pass that spot. Making sure to provide plenty of rewards can help keep their attention on you instead of what they want to mark.
While marking can be stressful for owners, it is a perfectly normal and healthy behavior for dogs. Providing them with plenty of stimulation, positive reinforcement, and patience are key to curbing indoor marking. Allowing your dog to mark their territory outside gives them a safe, positive space to fulfill their natural urge.
