Urine marking is a complex problem. It is a territorial habit, which needs a housetraining program from the basics. When a thoroughly potty-trained dog continues to pee on objects around the house, it might be unsettling. When dogs mark throughout the house, it is generally out of insecurity rather than malice.
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How Long Will It Take to Stop a Male Dog from Marking?
The acquisition of the positive behavior may take time for a few breeds, depending on their traits. However, consistency and positive reinforcement are the keys to stopping your dog from marking.
The marking usually happens out of your sight. Hence, the first task is to catch your dog in the act. Of course, your dog might not have to mark the behavior, but early training can prevent the action from occurring.
Tools Needed to Stop Your Male Dog from Marking
Tools that might be helpful to stop a dog from marking:
High-Value Dog Treats: While training your dog to stop marking, high-value dog treats can make him acquire the behavior. Also, rewarding after mastering the conduct is necessary.
Dogs are not vindictive; therefore, urine marking is never an indication that they are attempting to be revengeful. Instead, anything that they see as a danger to their territory generally triggers it. Some of the most prevalent reasons for urine marking are as follows:
Not Spayed, not Neutered: Canines who are not spayed or neutered commonly have the marking behavior.
Unfamiliar Objects: New furniture, carpets, or even a visitor’s jacket or pocketbook might make your dog feel compelled to mark, especially if they smell of another animal.
New Residents: Marking might be triggered by a new roommate, significant other, or baby. A dog’s way of reminding them that the house is his is by marking on the belongings.
Establishing Upper Paw: Your dog may be having problems setting his place in the pack if he’s in dispute with another dog or even a cat. As a means of gaining the upper paw, he can start marking his territory.
Anxiety: In rare circumstances, anxiety caused by new things, people, or confrontation with other animals can lead to marking.
Steps to Stop a Male Dog from Marking
It is necessary to take your dog to the vet to determine if he has any underlying medical issues causing him to mark. If yes, go through proper treatment. If no, then here’s how you can stop your dog from marking:
Spay or Neuter: You will have to spay or neuter your dog. It will be difficult to stop your dog from marking if he is spayed at an older age. Spaying and neutering him will crunch urine marking and may even cease.
Marking Prevention:
Remove high-quality resources that stimulate competitive identification and prevent canines that smell from traveling freely in the house.
When you cannot actively watch your dog(s), limit them to a crate to avoid access to preferred marking places.
Avoid playing vigorous games indoors and outdoors, as they stimulate urination.
Marking Training: You will have to catch your dog in the act to stop him from marking. Do not punish him later. That might scare him and make him aggressive, stimulating the marking behavior.
Stop your dog when he is about to mark by calling his name gently. Repeat this every time you catch him marking, or he is about to mark.
Redirect your dog’s attention to a positive thing immediately. You can also take him outside and praise him for coming with you.
Repeat the procedure and continue positive reinforcement for the desired behavior. Be gentle and consistent while you train your dog not to mark.
Clean Marked Areas: Use an enzymatic cleanser designed to remove pet stains and odors to clean the marked areas.
Zone Out View: Block the view outside the window for your dog. Limit his access to observe animals outside. You can deter them from visiting your house if you can’t prevent access to windows.
Be the Pack Leader: To be the pack leader, teach your dog commands like “sit” and “lay down,” and then make him follow one of them before being fed or taken for a walk.
Supervise: To make sure your dog does not mark, always keep him under supervision. Crate train your dog if you are unable to supervise him.
Pro Tips
Apart from the standard steps of training, some baits can accelerate training effectiveness. Here is the pro tip, which is a MUST!
Make Friends: Your dog generally marks due to insecurities. Their natural trait is resource guarding; hence, new residents might trigger his insecurities. Therefore, it is best to introduce the new resident to your dog in a friendly manner. Include a training session where the new resident will be his play-partner.
Final Thoughts
Dogs should be house trained primarily to avoid the marking behavior. However, dog markings can happen due to anxiety, new people, unfamiliar objects, and not getting spayed or neutered. If your dog has any underlying health disorders, consult a vet, as health issues might also trigger the marking behavior in dogs. Remember, do not punish your dog for peeing and marking. Instead, try to eliminate this behavior from your dog in a polite way.
