Urine marking is natural for dogs, who experience the world through their noses. For them, leaving a mark in their house is a clear sign that they have been there and that this is their territory.
Of course, as humans, we do not enjoy this particular behaviour, so in order to live harmoniously together, we need to find ways of managing the issue.
In this article, we go through five key steps in addressing the issue. Crucially, we must note up front that punishment is NEVER the answer. Punishing your dog for urinating inside will only create fear and, ultimately, increase the likelihood of urinating indoors and other problematic behaviours increasing in frequency over time. Instead, the key to stopping a dog from marking in the house is to understand their motivation for peeing inside and consistently use positive reinforcement training methods to prevent the marking behaviour. If your dog pees in the house, simply take them outside, reward them for urinating outside, and follow the five steps below.
Why is my dog peeing in the house?
The main reasons for dogs marking in the house are:
- To tell other dogs or animals the house is part of his territory.
- To communicate and manage his feelings about changes or stressors in the house, e.g. rearranging furniture, new schedules etc.
- Due to a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection.
- Due to a smell trigger, such as urine on the carpet.
Myth busting
Many assume that only male dogs, specifically intact male dogs, mark their territory. This isn’t the case. Both male and female dogs mark with urine, regardless of whether they are spayed or neutered. Some female dogs will even lift their leg to mark!
Step 1: Rule out a medical issue
It is essential to rule out a medical condition as the cause of the marking. Take your dog to the vet, who can do a full examination and rule out any health conditions that might cause your dog to urinate indoors.
Step 2: Identify your dog’s specific triggers
Pay attention to when and where your dog starts to mark. Is it somewhere new? Is it when another dog has been in the house? Is it on new furniture? Once you can anticipate the behaviour, you are better placed to interrupt it or prevent it entirely.
Step 3: Supervise your dog
Keep your dog in sight as much as possible when he is indoors. This is particularly important in the areas he has been known to mark. If he looks like he is shaping to pee, intervene before he acts by redirecting him.
Step 4: Redirect your dog
If you notice your dog sniffing the wall or furniture, use treats and toys to redirect him away from that area. As soon as he moves away from the area, praise and encourage him with treats before taking him outside to pee. Redirecting your dog before marking is far more effective than trying to interrupt him once he starts.
Step 5: Manage the environment
Baby gates can be handy for keeping your dog in sight when in the house. Daily routine management is also vital. When your dog wakes from a nap or seems restless, take him outside to pee. Back inside, continue supervising and redirect your dog away from the area he wants to mark.
It is also a good idea to put small, easy-to-wash rugs and towels in areas where your dog is prone to marking until the issue has been addressed. Any accidents must be cleaned up thoroughly as if your dog smells pee, he is likely to continue to try and urinate in that location. The better you can clean and neutralise the urine smell, the less likely he is to continue marking there.
Another helpful trick can be to create an outlet for natural marking behaviour by giving your dog plenty of space and opportunity to mark in appropriate locations outside. This means not rushing your dog while walking and giving him lots of chances to stop and pee.
Take home message
It is important to remember that marking is a natural behaviour for dogs of both genders. Our goal has to be to redirect this behaviour and reward our dogs for peeing in the correct place (i.e. outside) to ultimately minimise and ideally eradicate any marking indoors.
