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How to Train Your Dog to Not Mark His Territory in the House

How to Train Your Dog to Not Mark His Territory in the House
Hard difficulty iconHard
Time icon1-6 Months
Behavior training category iconBehavior

Introduction

You first realized there was a problem when you returned from a two-week vacation. During this time the house had been shut up, and the weather was warm. Unlocking the front door you stepped into the hallway, and your nose was assaulted by the strong and unmistakable smell of dog pee. 

You'd known for a while the dog was scent marking, but you didn't realize things had got to this stage. It seems you had gone nose-blind to the background smell of pee. It was only when the house was shut up and the stale air built up, that you were awoken to the awful truth... your house smells. 

What to do about it? 

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Defining Tasks

Territory marking is not about being aggressive or trying to dominant you. A dog scent marks, most usually in order to make himself feel secure and to ward off those who would intrude on his patch. Think of territory marking at putting up a big poster, saying "Hands off, this is mine". 

However, certain factors, such as being an intact male dog, will ramp up the provocation to scent mark. Indeed, reducing stress as a whole, along with desexing the dog are both constructive ways to reduce the problem.

Any crucial eliminate is taking down those 'posters' with effective cleaning, so that the dog isn't tempted to go back and reinforce the message. 

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Getting Started

Training a dog not to territory mark involves a multi-factorial approach and will require the help of an understanding vet. You'll also need:

  • A collar and leash: To keep him tethered to your wrist
  • Treats: For when he toilets in the right place
  • A crate
  • A urine specimen pot
  • A surgical or medical means of desexing the dog
  • Cleaning equipment including a household cleaner that does not contain bleach. 

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The Reducing the Urge Method

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1

Understand the idea

A male dog's hormones are a powerful motivator. Intact male dogs have high levels of the male hormone testosterone, which can get him into all sorts of trouble. From running after female dogs to territory marking, much of this behavior is driven by hormones. With the best will in the world, you can retrain all you like, but if you are taking on the might of Mother Nature you are less likely to succeed. Instead, get things going in your favor by reducing his drive to mark.

2

Consider surgery

Removing a male dog's testicles won't change his personality, but it will make him easier to live with. However, don't expect an instantly reformed character. It takes a few weeks for the existing testosterone to work its way through his system. But no doubt about it, surgery is a good 'fix' for territory marking.

3

Be realistic about surgery

If your young dog has only marked his territory once or twice, then prompt surgery should nip things in the bud. However, the more times the dog marks, the more this becomes a habit. The older dog who has been marking for years, may not be totally reformed after the op, as much of his behavior is learned and well-established. When deciding for or against surgery, take this into account and adjust your expectations accordingly.

4

The six-month solution

If you are uneasy about surgery, then consider a slow-release implant that cancels out the effect of testosterone. These implants are about the size of an ID chip and injected under the skin in a similar way. It takes two weeks to take effect, but after that it works for six months. This can be a useful way of buying yourself time to think about surgery.

5

The injectable option

Hormone injections are available which help reduce the effects of testosterone. It requires an initial dose of two treatments, and then a monthly follow up injection. The jab has to be given into the muscle and can be sore, so this is best as a temporary solution while you weigh things up.

The Stamp Out Scents Method

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Understand the idea

When a dog marks his territory, he is doing just that, using chemicals in his urine that act like a poster telling other dogs this is his patch. Unfortunately, those same scents will draw him back to commit the crime again, as the area is now labelled as a communication point. Key to stopping this behavior is to thoroughly clean up after any marking, so that he isn't drawn back to reoffend.

2

Mop up wet patches

If you catch him in the act, mop up the wet patch with absorbent kitchen paper and throw this away. This is a better option than towels or cloths, which can carry some of the scent even after washing.

3

Avoid bleach or ammonia

You must thoroughly deoderize the area, but do not use a household cleaner that contains bleach or ammonia, since these are components of urine. Using these will unintentionally amplify his scent signal, rather than obliterate it.

4

Effective deoderization

Use a three step method, but always test the surface first to make sure it is colorfast. Wash the area well using a solution of biological washing powder or liquid. Rinse well. Now wash the area with a dilute solution of sodium bicarbonate. Rinse well. If the surface is non-absorbent, wipe it over with rubbing alcohol. Leave to dry.

5

Repeat daily for 2 - 3 weeks

The bad news is that behaviorists tell us it's crucial to clean in this way, not just once, but every day for 2 to 3 weeks. Only then can you be sure of removing all lingering odors.

The Refresh Potty Training Method

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Vet check

If the dog has been clean inside for ages, and suddenly starts soiling in the house, then a vet check is a good idea. It might be the dog has a medical problem which is causing him to wet in the house. Get an answer more quickly by taking a urine sample along to the appointment for the vet to analyze.

2

Crate train

Eliminate the option for the dog to scent mark, by keeping him supervised at all times. For those moments when you need a break and can't watch over him, then crate train the dog. Then you can pop him out of temptation's way while you leave the room.

3

Leash indoors

When indoors, keep the dog tethered to your wrist by a leash. Watch him closely, and at the first sign of sniffing to scent mark, whisk him outdoors to toilet.

4

Regular toilet breaks

Although scent marking is not about a full bladder, when the dog gets ample opportunity to relieve himself outdoors, this reduces the stimulus for him scent marking indoors. Be sure to give him lots of praise when he pees in the right place, so that he starts saving up his bodily functions in order to spend them for rewards.

5

Increase exercise

Make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise, appropriate for his age and breed. When the dog is pleasantly tired, he's less likely to look for ways to amuse himself by signing his signature around the house.

Written by Pippa Elliott

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 01/25/2018, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions

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Training Questions and Answers

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Magic

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American Cocker Spaniel

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10 Months

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Question

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About at 8 months, maybe 9 months, our blonde male cocker spaniel Magic started marking/spotting some similar spaces each day in our condo. Bottom of and seats of two chairs that our other dog hangs out in all day (10 year old female cocker). He also does it on the vertical boards in a wooden hallway. I don't often see him do it but when I do, I tell him "No" "Potty outside" and take him to our deck on the condo where there is a grass pea pad. I then spray with a cleaner from the pet store that has enzyme as one of the ingredients. I do take him out to go "potty" about once an hour, maybe every 2 hours. And we walk about an hour each day. Any ideas. It's driving us "mad." Thank you.

Jan. 8, 2021

Magic's Owner

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Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer

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253 Dog owners recommended

Hello! Individually and in combination, the following strategies can help stop the marking: 1. Employ management. The first step in correcting a marking issue involves diligent management in an effort to stop the rehearsal of unwanted behavior. Keep a close eye on your dog – no unsupervised time! – so you’re able to immediately interrupt all attempts to mark and redirect his efforts to “go” outside. When you can’t supervise, consider confining your dog to an x-pen or crate, or use baby gates to create an area small enough to deter soiling. If marking is limited to a specific room, restrict access to the area for at least a month (the same benchmark as housetraining). Some clients report success moving their dogs’ food and water to the problem area, as most dogs won’t mess where they eat. Often, employing diligent management to prevent the behavior is enough to offer long-term improvement. 2. Reduce stress. Identify events in your dog’s life that might create stress. Some stressors can be tricky. For example, many owners think showering their dogs with endless treats while requiring little in terms of basic obedience is a wonderful way to convey love. Unfortunately, a lack of basic structure often contributes to anxiety, especially in multiple-dog households. While I’m not a fan of rigid “leadership” protocols, I believe dogs do best when taught a basic skillset designed to create a working partnership with their humans, whose job it is to ensure the well being of everyone in the household. If marking mostly happens when you aren’t home, your dog might be anxious being alone. Be sure to keep departures and arrivals low-key to reduce the tension of an already emotional event for your dog. Teaching your dog to accept time away from you – even when you’re home – can also help reduce anxiety when you leave. Also, be mindful of potentially scary noises that might be causing anxiety – for example, the ear-piercing back-up beep of the garbage truck on trash day. Often, once you’ve identified the trigger, you can successfully counter-condition your dog’s emotional response. Anxiety can be a tricky issue to overcome. Some dogs respond well to homeopathic remedies or flower essence blends designed to reduce anxiety. Another option is Adaptil, a pheromone-based product available as a plug-in diffuser or a collar. Adaptil products release pheromones involved in the attachment process between a nursing dog and her offspring, offering an olfactory message of comfort and security. In some cases, pharmaceutical intervention might be necessary. 3. Clean soiled areas. Use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle to thoroughly clean urine spots in the home. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Urine contains ammonia, and such products can encourage further marking. If moving into a new home formerly occupied by dogs, consider professionally cleaning or replacing the carpet to reduce your dog’s desire to mark over existing animal scent. If this isn’t possible, use a black light to search for potential problem areas. 4. Consider neutering. While not a guaranteed fix, neutering your dog, especially before he reaches full sexual maturity (12 to 15 months), is likely to reduce or eliminate his tendency to mark by stopping the influence of hormones. 5. Discourage all marking, even outdoors. In some cases, the act of marking becomes a well-practiced habit that remains even after removing environmental stressors or choosing to neuter (especially among dogs neutered later in life). In such cases, I recommend drawing a hard line when it comes to marking, even outdoors. When on a walk, give your dog an opportunity to fully void his bladder, then quickly but casually interrupt all subsequent attempts to leave his calling card throughout the neighborhood. It need not be a dramatic interruption; simply keep walking as your dog attempts to mark, almost like you hadn’t noticed. 6. Most importantly, don’t punish! Remember that inappropriate marking is a stress response. Calmly interrupting a dog as he’s marking is one thing. Reprimanding him after the fact will make things worse. Unless you intervene as it’s happening, your dog won’t connect your displeasure with his marking. He might look guilty as you reprimand him, but that look is an attempt to appease you in that moment – not because he realizes his marking, which took place however long ago, is unwanted.

Jan. 9, 2021

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Diesel

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Shih Tzu

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1 Year

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We have had our dog for 2 and a half months now and he understands potty training but he continues to mark all over the house! We are pretty sceptical about any type of implant/surgery. He was rehomed because he marked all over the house so we think its a habit already. Is there any way we can train without any type of surgery?

May 1, 2020

Diesel's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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Hello Grace, To deal with that behavior, use crate pup when you can't supervise and have him tethered to you. When you are home and able to supervise, keep him tethered to you while he is out of the crate between potty trips using a 6 or 8 foot leash. Have him wear a belly band - which is a sling/diaper for male dogs that catches urine, and when he tries to lift his leg to mark, clap your hands loudly three times. If the clapping isn't effective after two weeks, I suggest squirting a small puff of air at his side while calmly saying "Ah Ah", using a Pet Convincer. (Only use unscented air - no citronella, and avoid spraying in the face). Use a cleaner than contains enzymes to remove the smell from any new or previous accidents - since lingering scent will only encourage more marking and only enzymes fully remove the smell. Look on the bottle for the word enzyme or enzymatic. Many (but not all) pet cleaners contain enzymes. The belly band will keep marking from being fun and successful for him and stop the spreading of the smell - which encourages more marking (and keep your things clean). Attaching him to yourself with the leash will keep him from sneaking off to pee uninterrupted, and clapping will make peeing unpleasant for him without it being too harsh. Reward him with treats when he potties outside so he understands that pottying outside in front of you is good, it's only inside where he shouldn't do it. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 4, 2020

We really don't want to take him to the vet

May 1, 2020

Grace N.


Thank you so much for your time!

May 5, 2020

Grace N.


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