Content
- The importance of marking territory for dogs
- Urinating is one thing, marking is another
- How to prevent my dog from marking territory indoors
Do you have a dog that lifts its leg, urinates indoors and on any surface, place or object? This means that your pet wants to demonstrate its presence, so it is marking territory. Although this dog behavior is completely normal, it is also normal for you to feel frustrated with this behavior and want to change it.
Knowing the causes can help you identify the best method to stop these constant markings indoors. Then it will be up to you to try to explain the house rules to your dog in a way that he/she can understand them.
To help you, in this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain you how to prevent your dog from marking territory indoors, showing you some techniques to understand and avoid this behavior before your puppy takes over every corner of the house.
The importance of marking territory for dogs
We human beings see urine as something unpleasant, but for a dog it is something of great importance and value in many ways, not just physiologically. Through the smell of urine a dog is able to send messages to other dogs. These messages range from personal territory, order and social hierarchy, to willingness to mate. Dogs use markings to show themselves, to show authority and ownership in relation to objects, places and even people.
It can also happen that dogs start marking in places where they didn't do it before, because they are in a state of stress. Consider whether your dog is going through an episode of separation anxiety where feelings of insecurity may be arising. Experts indicate that marking the territory has the ability to build the confidence of our canine companions. In addition, your dog may be feeling threatened by a new situation or a sudden change in the environment or dynamics at home.
For example, a move, the arrival of a new baby, a new pet, a new partner, a visit or even a home remodel. If other animals arrive, especially dogs and cats, the dog may be attracted by the body smell and mark the places where it passes, this includes shoes, rugs and items of clothing.
It is important to know that most dogs that are spayed early don't usually mark territory inside home. It's better to be safe than sorry, as well as being very healthy for your pet.
Urinating is one thing, marking is another
We must be careful not to confuse urine marking with the fact of urinating, for a dog it is not the same to mark territory through this action as it is to relieve a full bladder. By this we mean that although your puppy is very well educated not to do his homework, this does not mean that he considers it incorrect to mark the territory. The puppy's motivation is totally different, so it will be a different behavior.
When a dog marks territory, the amount of urine is less. So, if you find large rivers of urine in the ground, it's because your puppy couldn't take it anymore and emptied his bladder.
It is also worth mentioning that the appointment is made at home usually on a vertical surface like a door, a table, a piece of furniture or any other object, however strange it may seem. These objects are usually new, have different and unfamiliar smells, although your dog can perfectly repeat it if he liked them a lot. This can become a possessive obsession with elements or spaces in the home. Everything at home will be yours, you too can become.
Another factor to consider if your puppy suddenly starts marking territory indoors on a constant basis may be the fact that he is suffering from a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection and his urge to discharge is very urgent. In this case, take your dog to see the veterinarian for rule out possible diseases.
How to prevent my dog from marking territory indoors
At PeritoAnimal we always talk about prevention. Neutering at a young age helps to stop this type of behavior in most dogs. Sterilizing it can prevent the formation of different types of habits., such as marking territory indoors. For older puppies, this could work although it doesn't have the same effect. In this case, you should be the one to stop this behavior. For this, try the following supervision-based training:
- You must catch him in the act and correct the behavior immediately. Your dog will begin to feel that what he is doing is not right.
- An intense method of supervision is required. You must be constant and dedicate yourself to the mission of ending this habit. With good commitment and luck, a couple of weeks or less correction time will suffice.
- Don't limit his access to water, in fact, you'll want him to drink more water. Drinking water helps to purify the urinary system and prevents the accumulation of bacteria that make the situation worse.
- During this process keep your puppy in an area of the house where you can always see him. Close doors in other parts of the house or put up barriers to limit your access to other places where you have marked.
- Observe your dog's behavior and be aware of pre-marking signals such as sniffing and turning. Fill a can or plastic bottle with small rocks, and as soon as you start to lift your leg, shake the can to get their attention. This will interrupt and break with focus. When you turn to see the sound object, it will be your moment, say a firm "No" to it.
- Congratulate him and reward him when he changes his behavior, pee where you want and mark in the right place, away from home. Dogs quickly learn from positive responses to their actions. The message you want to send your puppy is that marking territory is not bad, but marking indoors is not the right place.
- If your dog is marking because he suffers from separation anxiety, when you leave the house try to leave him an object or article that smells like you. This may be enough to resolve your anxiety.
- A dog's nose is very powerful. Thoroughly clean each place where you marked territory, so you don't have scent trails, otherwise he'll want to go back and mark over it. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Ammonia, when found naturally in the urine, will make the dog feel even more attracted, and you, on the other hand, will not know the reason for your obsession.
