Dog urine marking is not a toilet training issue but rather an issue concerning a whole range of instinctive behaviors. Even though a dog may go outside to empty his bladder, he may still mark indoors to mark his territory. To a dog lifting his leg to scent mark is not the same as wanting to have a pee.
We as humans tend to think of dog urine as something unpleasant but to a dog it is something of great interest. A dog leaves it's scent in urine to tell other dogs a message. This message could be about whose territory it is, about the dog's social order or advertising mating availability. Dogs use urine marking to show their dominance or to claim something as belonging to them. But there are some steps you can take to eliminate this bad habit.
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Here's how to stop your dog from marking:
1. Don't confuse urine marking with wanting to pee.
If you find large puddles of urine on the floor it is more likely that the dog had to pee and couldn't or didn't want to go out. With urine marking the dog deposits a smaller amount of urine. Marking in the house is usually done to an upright surface such as a doorway, table leg or piece of furniture. Dogs often mark on objects. Quite often the object is something new or different with unfamiliar smells that has come into the house.
2. Don't let him mark every tree while you are out on a walk.
Do not allow your dog to stop at every tree and tire to mark while you are out on a walk. You should keep moving, only stopping at a location of your choosing to allow him to empty his bladder. Ask him to do an obedience cue (if you have taught him how) before releasing him to go potty.
3. Neutering your puppy.
Testosterone seems to play a role in urine marking. At least one study has shown that neutering a dog at any age will help prevent it. It can't be guaranteed that neutering a dog is going to magically cure this problem but if you don't neuter a male dog, your chances of breaking the habit are greatly reduced. Of course neutering isn't always an option as you may wish to breed your dog.
4. Catch him in the act!
Close supervision is necessary. You must be dedicated to stop the marking behavior of your dog and you must be consistent. A couple of weeks or often much less time of intense supervision and correction can save you a lifetime of tearing your hair out trying to find a quick fix for the problem. Some people have reported that it has only taken a day or two using the intense supervision method.
Confine your dog to one area of the house where you can watch him. Shut doors to other areas of the house or barricade them off with baby gates or improvise with whatever is at hand.
If barricading is not possible another option is to put your dog on a retractable lead while he is in the house with you and for you to have total control at all times.
5. Praise him when he pees where you want him to.
Don't forget to praise your dog when he marks in an appropriate place. If you are outside and he marks on a tree or other acceptable object or area tell him what a good boy he is. Tell him, 'Pee here, good boy' in a happy voice. Dogs learn quickly from positive responses to their behavior.
The message you are trying to get across to him is that urine marking isn't bad, but that marking inside the house isn't such a good idea.
6. When you go out...
Dogs who suffer separation anxiety may pee while you are out. They are not peeing out of spite because you left them, dogs just don't think like this. They are feeling anxious at being left alone. Try leaving them an item of your worn clothing with your familiar smells on it. This just might be enough to settle their anxiety.
7. Confinement is the only answer for some dogs.
Some dogs will never be able to be trusted with the run of the house. Although inconvenient to you it may be necessary to close doors to certain rooms and only allow freedom in the rooms he can be trusted.
But if you have tried everything you can think of - and nothing helped - consult your veterinarian to rule out any health issues. As with any behavior problem, there may be an underlying medical condition which is causing the marking.
Canine Tips - How To Stop Your Dog From Marking Indoors
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