House soiling is a common yet frustrating behavior issue in dogs. Marking, a specific type of house soiling, is when a dog urinates small amounts on vertical surfaces. This is most common in intact males, but can occur in neutered males and females as well. Understanding when dogs start marking territory inside can help owners address this problem behavior early.
When Does Marking Behavior Start?
Most dogs begin marking around 6 months of age. However, the exact age marking starts can vary between breeds and individual dogs. Some key factors that influence the onset of marking include:
Sex and Neuter Status
– Intact males are most likely to mark, as testosterone drives this territorial behavior. Neutering reduces marking in 80% of dogs, but about 20% may continue the behavior if it is established before castration.
– Intact females can mark but do so less frequently than males. Spaying typically reduces marking.
– Both neutered males and spayed females can mark, but it is less common.
Breed
– Some breeds are more prone to marking than others. These include Beagles, Yorkshire Terriers, German Shepherds, Cairn Terriers, and Doberman Pinschers.
– Breeds that are less likely to mark include Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Basset Hounds, and Great Danes.
Individual Personality
– Confident, dominant dogs are more likely to display marking behaviors.
– Anxious, insecure dogs may mark to make themselves feel more comfortable in their environment.
– Excitable dogs tend to mark more frequently.
– Change in environment or routine can trigger the onset of marking.
Where Do Dogs Mark in the House?
When dogs mark indoors, they tend to choose vertical objects and surfaces around the home. Some of the most common areas for dogs to mark include:
Along Walls and Furniture
Dogs often urinate in small amounts on vertical surfaces like walls, furniture legs, and the sides of chairs or tables. They tend to target objects near entryways, windows, and doors.
Personal Belongings
Items that smell like family members, such as shoes, clothing, backpacks, and gym bags, are enticing targets for marking. Dogs may mark these items to claim them as their own.
Rugs and Carpets
Softer surfaces like rugs and carpets soak up urine readily, making them ideal places for dogs to mark. Stains and odors left behind can encourage repeat marking.
Dog Crates
Dogs confined to crates may mark the crate walls and floors. This signals their claimed ownership of that space.
Outside Doors and Doggy Doors
Entryways to the outdoors are common marking hotspots, as dogs feel the need to establish their territory at transition zones.
Why Do Dogs Mark in the House?
Marking serves both biological and psychological purposes for dogs. Understanding the root causes can help owners correct this behavior:
To Establish Territory
Marking spreads a dog’s scent around their perceived territory. It signals “ownership” of that area and warns others to keep out.
Social Status
Marking demonstrates confidence and dominance. It establishes the dog’s social rank among other pets in the household.
Reassurance and Security
Marking makes anxious or insecure dogs feel more comfortable in their environment. It helps reinforce their sense of security.
Attention-Seeking
Some dogs mark to get attention from their owners. Even negative attention can reward and reinforce the behavior.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety may mark when alone as a coping mechanism. The behavior releases tensions and makes the dog feel less distressed.
How to Stop Dogs Marking in the House
If your dog has started marking indoors, there are several strategies you can implement to stop the behavior:
Spay or Neuter Your Dog
Eliminating hormones through spay/neuter surgery reduces most marking. This is most effective if done before 6 months of age.
Restrict Access
Block off rooms and limit areas your dog can access without supervision until the marking resolves. Confine with crates when you are gone.
Remove Odors
Use enzyme cleaners to fully erase urine smells from marked areas. This helps prevent repeat marking in the same spots.
Add More Potty Breaks
Make sure your dog has ample outdoor potty opportunities. This minimizes urges to toilet inside. Take pups out more frequently for the first few months.
Ignore Marking
If marking seems attention-seeking, ignore the behavior and reward appropriate potty habits. Avoid punishing the dog, as this can exacerbate anxiety and marking urges.
Try Anti-Marking Sprays
Deterrent sprays for furniture and carpets can curb marking. They impart an unpleasant odor dogs don’t want to mark over.
Address Underlying Anxiety
If stress or insecurity is causing marking, resolve the source through training, enrichment, routine schedules, and appropriate socialization.
Consult a Trainer or Behaviorist
For serious marking issues, seek help from a certified canine behavior professional. They can design a customized behavior modification plan.
How to Clean Dog Marking in the House
To discourage repeat marking, it’s essential to clean soiled areas properly. Follow these steps:
Locate All Marked Areas
Inspect walls, furniture, carpets, and household objects and note all areas your dog has marked. Use a blacklight to detect dried urine stains.
Blot Fresh Urine
Soak up fresh stains immediately with paper towels or rags. Avoid scrubbing, as this presses urine deeper into surfaces.
Apply an Enzyme Cleaner
Spray or blot enzymatic pet cleaner onto marked areas. Let sit for 5-10 minutes so enzymes break down uric acids.
Rinse and Blot Dry
Rinse cleaner away with fresh water and blot dry. Check for any lingering odors and repeat cleaning if necessary.
Use Vinegar for Walls/Floors
For hard, non-porous surfaces, clean with undiluted white vinegar after enzymatic cleaner. This helps remove residual odors and residues.
Shampoo Marked Carpets
Rent a carpet shampoo machine and use pet enzymatic carpet shampoo solution to deep clean marked carpets. Allow carpets to fully dry before letting your dog back on them.
Replace Damaged Items
Heavily soiled objects like rugs, pillows, and dog beds may need to be discarded if urine has soaked through completely. This eliminates odors that draw repeat marking.
How to Prevent Dogs Marking Indoors
While correcting existing marking, also take proactive steps to prevent additional indoor accidents. Useful tips include:
Restrict Access
Close doors and use baby gates to limit your dog’s access to rooms and areas you can’t supervise until fully house trained. Confine them when you are away.
Establish a Potty Routine
Take your dog outside on a consistent schedule, at least every 2-4 hours. Give frequent potty breaks until they learn to hold it. Offer heavy praise and treats for outdoor potties.
Clean Accidents Promptly
Clean all indoor accidents immediately with enzymatic cleaners. Lingering odors encourage repeat elimination in the same areas.
Limit Marking Triggers
Avoid exposing your dog to things that trigger marking, like unfamiliar guests, new pets, and being left alone. Introduce these stressors gradually while preventing marking opportunities.
Try Calming Aids
Products like DAP collars and pheromone diffusers can curb marking stemming from stress and anxiety. Consult your veterinarian first.
Walk Your Dog Regularly
Daily exercise provides mental stimulation and an appropriate outlet for your dog’s need to mark territory. Offer longer, more frequent walks.
When to Seek Help for Marking Issues
If you cannot resolve indoor marking on your own, seek professional help. A dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can assist with more severe marking cases involving:
– Marking multiple times daily in numerous areas of home
– Marking behavior that begins suddenly in an adult, previously house trained dog
– Marking that resumes shortly after neuter surgery
– Marking combined with other behavioral issues like separation anxiety, fearfulness, or aggression
– Dogs that mark over and over in previously cleaned areas
– Marking during owner greetings and when guests arrive
– No improvement after weeks or months of correction efforts
These situations indicate problematic marking compulsions, complex anxiety, medical conditions, or inadequate retraining that requires an expert’s support. Don’t delay getting help for persistent marking issues. The right guidance can often resolve even difficult cases successfully.
Marking FAQs
Why does my neutered male dog still mark in the house?
Marking is not always completely eliminated after neutering if the behavior was established beforehand. About 20% of neutered males will continue marking. Stress, change in social ranking, medical issues, and incorrect housetraining may also contribute.
Do female dogs mark territory too?
Intact and spayed females do mark but not as commonly as males. Close to 5% of spayed females mark. Poor housetraining, dominance, anxiety, and excited urination can trigger female marking.
Will having my dog spayed stop marking?
Spay surgery before 6 months old prevents up to 99% of female marking provided the behavior is not already learned. If marking is established, spaying may reduce but not always completely stop the behavior.
Can marking be a sign of a urinary tract infection?
Increased marking or accidents in a previously housetrained adult dog can indicate medical issues like UTIs and bladder infections. These cause discomfort and urgency that leads to indoor elimination. Veterinary exams help diagnose problems.
What is the best indoor dog potty for marking?
Indoor potty solutions like synthetic grass boxes and pee post systems can be effective for dogs that mark frequently. They provide an acceptable indoor outlet. Supervision and training are still required to shape appropriate potty habits long-term.
Conclusion
Marking is a natural yet undesirable behavior in dogs that requires early intervention. While some intact males begin marking as early as 6 months, other pups may not start until 12-18 months. Marking indoors can happen anywhere but targets walls, furniture, belongings, and entryways. Though challenging to eliminate fully once learned, marking usually responds well to neutering, proper cleaning, management, training, and addressing underlying causes like anxiety. With time and consistency, it is possible to curb marking and maintain a clean home. Reach out to your veterinarian or professional trainer if you need assistance managing persistent marking issues in your dog.