Introduction
Dogs have the uncanny ability to sniff out marked urine spots, but they can also see these spots, too. How can you tell if your dog is able to see the spots where another pooch marked? How can you know where spots are so you can get them out? How can you teach your dog to not mark over other dog's pee marked spots?
We've got all that and more in our ultimate guide below. Read on to understand better how dogs are able to sense marked spots both inside and outside of their homes.
Signs Your Dog is Sniffing Another Marked Spot
So, how can you tell if your dog is seeing or smelling another dog's marked spot? The dead giveaway is repetitive and excessive behavior. If your dog keeps returning to a spot to lick, sniff, bite, or scratch, then it's possible they've encountered a spot marked by another dog's urine.
Another terribly annoying sign your dog might give you when they detect a marked spot? Urination. That's right, your dog is a sweet pup, but he or she is also territorial, so they'll often try to re-mark the spot another dog has claimed - even if it's inside your home.
Your dog, unlike you, can see the residue that another dog's pee leaves when it hasn't been fully cleaned from something. This is because urine stains are on the UV wave length, a spectrum humans don't see in, but dogs do. Expect your dog to pay extra attention to those spots, return to them frequently, and probably mark them a bunch, too.
Body Language
- Alert
- Barking
- Howling
- Wag tail
- Sniffing
- Lip licking
- Tail up
- Licking
Other Signs
- Obsession with a specific area outside
- Obsession with a specific area in the home
- Urinating or re-marking a spot
- Excessive licking
The History of Dogs Marking
Instead, they have their own signal for making sure others know what belongs to them - marking. Dogs descend from wild animals (specifically, wolves). These pack animals claim property to survive, a characteristic that's been passed down to your dog, too. Because dogs use their noses as their primary sense, they use their urine, a distinctive, smelly substance, to mark which territory belongs to them.
The Science Behind Dogs Seeing Pee Spots
For starters, dogs are seeing the residue that's left behind from a puddle of pee on the floor. If something isn't fully cleaned up, the residue will be left there and absorb into the floor, but your dog can still see it. The bigger reason is that your dog can see in UV wavelengths while we cannot. Urine stains are on the UV wavelength.
Have you ever cleaned a bathroom with a blacklight? It's gross, but you can see the urine marks that are left in the bathroom. Your dog basically has a blacklight sensor installed in his or her head that helps them see this all of the time.
Training Your Dog to Stop Marking Other Dog's Spots
First, consider all of the areas in your home that might already be marked - by your dog or by other dogs. The best way to train your dog not to mark is to remove all the marking scents from your home. Consider using something without ammonia in it as that can confuse your dog into thinking they're smelling urine from another dog.
To guarantee that you're rid of the marked spots, try to see like your dog does and get out a blacklight. With this kind of vision, you'll be able to see that all the odors are neutralized and all spots are gone.
Consider spaying or neutering your dog to help with this behavior as well. Changes in marking behavior are often seen weeks after surgery as the production of reproductive hormones disappears.
Next, make sure that you're not allowing your dog to mark while you're out on walks. This kind of behavior will not make sense to your dog and they will try to mark the areas in your home as well. Make sure you're being consistent with your pup. Punish your dog appropriately when they mark in areas they're not supposed to and reward your dog when they don't mark.
How to React if Your Dog Detects Another Dog's Marked Spot:
-
Lead your dog away from the marked spot.
-
Note your dog's sniffing and lead them away to prevent marking.
-
Punish dog appropriately for trying to mark inappropriate spots.
-
Discourage aggression if your dog reacts negatively to other dog's marked spot.
-
Check with your vet to see if marking issues could be health-related.