Is your dog marking in places they shouldn't? Read here for tips to correct that unwanted behavior!

 Good afternoon!

    Yesterday at our local dog park I was chatting with a woman about her adorable pack of chihuahuas. She asked me if I have any experience with potty training and how she could stop a couple of her pack from constantly marking her furniture in her house. The pups have ample access to the outside and are let out every 45 minutes.

While female dogs can also mark their surroundings, this problem is most commonly found in male dogs. Marking is not the same as a normal potty break as it is small amounts of urine that occur in several places. Sometimes dogs can have a favorite place or it can change depending on their environment.

I'll admit that I am not a licensed dog trainer but I do love dogs and learning about their behavior. So below are some tips and tricks that I have gathered that may help you tackle this problem. Please let me know in the comments if any of these techniques work for you!

Why do dogs mark your furniture and carpets in the first place?

New Changes 

Dogs are sensitive to any changes in their environment. Pregnancy, a new appliance such as a fridge or washing machine, a new animal or family member staying in their environment are just a few examples of changes that can cause a dog to start marking their household. 

Competition or Anxiety

If you have other dogs in your household or your dog has a lack of confidence they may be more likely to start asserting themselves by relieving in places that they shouldn't.

Having no routine

Dogs thrive on rules and routine. If your dog doesn't have a schedule for when to relieve themselves, you might find them doing it more frequently and in places that you really don't want them to. 

Heath Issue

Your dog might have an underlying health problem causing them to urinate more frequently and in small amounts that looks similar to marking.  

So how do you stop your dog from marking?

First and foremost, you should take your dog to the vet to rule out any medical conditions. If they get an OK from your veterinarian then these next steps should help you to curb this behavior.

The best way to avoid this problem is to closely monitor your dog and deny them full access to your entire house. You have to catch your dog in the act of marking and shouldn't punish them if you find an accident after the fact. There is only a 1.5 second window that you have to correct the marking behavior during and after it occurs. By keeping them on a leash attached to you or using gates to block access off into a single room, you can better control their behavior. 

Crate training can also have a great positive effect in potty training. Typically, dogs will not mark places that they sleep. First thing in the morning, take your dog outside to relieve themselves and closely monitor them after. You are teaching them the correct place to go to the bathroom and from then on it is your job to correct them if they attempt to mark in a place they are not allowed. Making a loud sound such as clapping or using a noise maker (my favorite is an altoid tin with some pennies), or using a firm NO or other correction sound and immediately take your dog to the place where they should potty. Be patient with yourself and your dog as this will not happen overnight and mistakes are bound to happen. Clean the area with an odor eliminating cleanser and try again. 

If your dog is not fixed and are older than six months, getting them spayed or neutered may decrease their instinct to mark their territory but training is the only way to completely eliminate the behavior. It is also beneficial to train your dog to build their confidence. I use Echo's own kibble as treats and every session is short and treated like the most fun game in the world. Your attitude is everything with your dog. And building a bond and communication with them will give them more confidence. 

I hope that these tips will help you create a better bond with your dog! I am always here to answer questions and I hope that you and your pup have an amazing week! Much love from Echo and I!

Sources

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/curbing-marking/

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/prevent-urine-marking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPDSqbZl8aA (How to stop your dog from marking, a great 4 minute video!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6iYJF0Iem4 (My dog keeps marking inside! another great 6 minute video with tips and tricks!)