Stop Marking Behavior In Dogs: What Causes It And How To Prevent It?
Dogs make wonderful companions. They can be like part of the family and often enrich their owners’ lives. With that said, though, dogs sometimes engage in behaviours that are off-putting to humans. A perfect example is marking. Marking occurs when a dog urinates on an object or in a certain location, often in order to declare ownership. The urine left behind may seem like a stinky mess to you. But, to your dog, it’s a way to say, “this is my space!” Of course, no one wants to deal with a dog that marks constantly. Fortunately, you don’t have to. By determining why your dog is marking, you can uncover a solution to stop the behaviour for good.
Always Talk To The Vet First
Before spending a lot of time guessing about why your dog is marking, take them to the vet. This is especially important if the behaviour is new. Your vet can help to rule out any possible health problems or other more serious issues that could be causing the behaviour. They may even have some insight into psychological or behavioral reasons for your dog’s marking. If you have to wait a while for an appointment or if your vet wants to run some tests first, you can protect your carpet and furniture in the interim by investing in diapers or belly bands, now at petparents.com, which can trap urine and keep it from causing stains and messes.
Assess If Another Dog Could Be The Cause
Sometimes, a perfectly well-behaved dog may start to mark due to issues with another dog. If you’ve recently moved a new dog into the home, your dog may be trying to show what he thinks is rightfully his. Conversely, if you’ve moved into a new space, one where a dog previously lived, this can be confusing to your pooch. Dogs may feel the need to stake ownership over their new homes simply due to lingering odours. Also, whenever there are issues within your dog pack, such as a sudden uptick in fighting or one dog trying to obtain dominance over the over, marking may occur.
It’s important not to be angry with your dog. After all, they’re just doing what comes naturally to them and are communicating in a perfectly normal way as far as they’re concerned. Possible solutions may include letting problems resolve themselves naturally or working on bettering relationships between members of your pup pack.
Determine If Your Dog Has Reached Sexual Maturity
If your dog is young, you likely still think of it as a puppy. However, even when dogs still look adorable, they can enter sexual maturity. When this happens, the likelihood of marking goes up greatly. In fact, just encountering a dog of the opposite sex can be enough to make a dog begin marking, especially a male dog. Fortunately, spaying or neutering can help to counter this problem. It may not stop it completely, especially if the behaviour has become deeply ingrained in the dog, but it may reduce it greatly, especially when coupled with training and teaching.
Consider Your Dog’s Current Mental State
Believe it or not, just like humans, dogs can have varying levels of mental health. Dogs can also experience anxiety, and anxiety can lead to marking. Consider if there have been changes in your dog’s life or routine. Even simple things, to you, like a new piece of furniture or rearranging a room, can be intimidating and confusing to a dog, which can lead to marking. Dogs with separation anxiety, insecure attachments, or other forms of emotional disturbances may also be more prone to marking. Comforting and reassuring your dog may be enough to curb the behaviour. However, if you can’t stop it on your own, you may need to seek out a veterinarian or even a dog psychologist for assistance.
Make Sure It’s Not a Housetraining Issue
Finally, know that what dog owners sometimes think of as marking isn’t actually marking. Sometimes, it’s just that your housetraining methods weren’t as effective as you might have thought. If your dog is urinating in large amounts and in hidden, less noticeable locations, the problem is likely training related and not marking related. In this instance, you’ll need to go back to the basics of house training using an approved method.
Clean Up Those Pet Messes Thoroughly
Once you have determined why your pet is marking, you can work on stopping the behaviour. Be aware, however, that this typically doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why using belly bands or other products to reduce messes can be so helpful. When messes do occur, though, clean the area thoroughly, ideally using a product specifically designed for pet stains. A good cleaning can remove the scents that lure your dog to mark in the same area again and again. Additionally, you can try blocking off the area so your pet does not have access to it or, alternately, associating the area with a different activity, such as giving treats or enjoying playtime together.
Catch Your Dog In The Act
As you work to permanently prevent marking, you’ll need to keep a watchful eye on your dog at all times. Make it a rule that your dog is not given free roam of the home unless you are right there beside them. That way, you can catch marking just before it occurs, tell your dog “no,” and divert the dog’s attention to a different behaviour or activity. Stopping the behaviour before it starts and letting your dog know it displeases you is effective. Punishing your dog after the fact is not. All that does is cause confusion and fear in your dog, which might lead to anxiety and make marking behaviours even worse!
Marking is not a fun thing to deal with. But, remember, your dog is worth the work it will take to stop it. If you are consistent and put in a real effort to solve the problem, your reward will be a wonderful pet who doesn’t leave the home.
