Dog Marking Behavior

Typical dog marking behavior is simply your dog's way of claiming ownership of his bit of turf or objects he considers his own. In the wild, that's not a problem, but in the home it's not such a good idea.

Reasons For Dog Marking Behavior

It also works as a more efficient way for a dog to protect his turf than having to physically challenge every dog that approaches.

Although male dogs are more likely to mark urine than females, a female dog coming into heat or during it will mark to let the guys know she's available.

Dogs with feelings of insecurity may mark their territory as a confidence-building exercise.

Typical Dog Marking Behavior

• Your Golden Retriever urinates on new objects in the home (like new furniture) and on objects that have unfamiliar smells (a shopping bag, a visitor's purse).

• The smell of other animals on your shoes or clothing can trigger a dog to mark his territory.

• Two or more dogs living together in the same house who regard each other as competitors are more likely to lift a leg to show who's boss. (We didn't have that problem with Peaches and Ruby, pictured here with my daughter Sarah.)

• Even neutered dogs may mark in response to other dogs in the home who aren't neutered.

• When a new pet is introduced into the family, the resident dog may feel the need to establish his "top dog" position by marking. Your dog isn't angry that you brought home a new pet, he's just reaffirming his position in the house.

• If your dog sees another animal through a door or window, he may feel a need to mark his territory, to tell the other critters to "Go away!"

• Dogs will often mark their own fence if other dogs frequently pass by the area, to tell them to "keep going!"

• A new baby in the home brings new sounds and smells, as well as changes in routine, causing insecurity in your dog.

• A major change, such as moving to a new home, may prompt a dog to mark this new territory as his own.

• Some dogs will never mark in their own house but will embarrass you by marking if you visit a friend or relative's home. Your dog may feel less secure there and feels the need to make it more comfortable by laying down a few of his own familiar scents.

• Dogs who suffer separation anxiety may leave their mark around the house while you're out. They're not doing it out of spite because you left them--they're just feeling anxious at being left alone.

• There's a new mail carrier or meter reader in the neighborhood, and your dog leaves a mark at the door to tell these new guys to stay away.

• There are loud new noises in the neighborhood, such as a building project, and your dog marks around the house to protect his family from this strange new threat.

How To Stop Dog Marking Behavior

But if your Golden Retriever was neutered after he was sexually mature, marking has probably become a behavioral problem that needs to be tackled.

When you're home, watch your dog for any signs (such as sniffing and circling) that he's getting ready to leave his mark. The moment he begins to lift his leg, make a loud noise to startle him and interrupt what he's doing.

As he looks toward the source of the noise, tell him sternly, "No pee!" Then take him straight outside to give him a chance to finish the job, if he's so inclined. If he goes potty, praise him wildly for doing such a great job.

Here are some other steps you can take to stop dog marking behavior:

• Restrict your dog's access to doors and windows through which he can see other animals. Use privacy slats in the fence to keep him from looking out at passing critters.

• Clean soiled areas thoroughly with pet odor eliminators. Remember that urine soaks through carpet to the padding, so try to clean the padding too, or replace as necessary.

• Keep him away from previously marked areas. If that isn't possible, try to change the significance of those areas to your dog. Feed him and play with him there, and hide treats throughout the area.

• Put new purchases and guests' belongings in a closet or cabinet.

• If your Golden Retriever is marking in response to a new resident in your home (such as a roommate or spouse), have the new resident make friends with your dog by feeding, grooming, and playing with him.

• Resolve conflicts between animals in your home.

• If you bring a new pet home, try to introduce them on neutral turf first, so your resident dog won't feel threatened.

• If you have a new baby in the house, make sure good things happen to your dog when the baby is nearby, like treats magically appearing. Involve him in fun activities when the baby is around, making the baby and associated baby smells less of a threat to him.

• Sleeping on your bed makes your dog feel like your equal. And being on any level higher than the floor can make your pooch feel like he's "top dog," even over people. So keep him off your bed and other furniture.

• When you're unable to watch him, put your dog in his crate or in a small room where he's never marked. You can also tether him to you with a leash as you work around the house.

• Establish your leadership by making your dog work for everything he wants from you. Have your dog obey at least one command (such as "sit"--like Peaches and Molly are doing for me here) before you pet him, give him dinner, put on his leash, or toss him a toy.

• Once your dog understands that he's not the leader, he'll feel less need to mark. He can take a break--being the boss is now someone else's job!

• Discourage your dog from marking objects (fences, gates, signposts, bushes, etc.) when walking. Of course, allow him to relieve himself. But if he's leaving his mark to stake out a larger territory, try to keep him moving instead.

• If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, try leaving him an item of your clothing with your familiar smell on it. That should help calm his fears so he doesn't need to repel imagined threats by marking spots in the house.

• If you think your dog is likely to urine mark in your friend's house, don't give him the chance. Keep him on a leash at all times.

• To eliminate dog marking behavior in an insecure dog, it's important to build up his confidence through socialization and obedience classes.

• If your dog is reacting to a change in living conditions (like moving), try to keep him on his old schedule to help him regain a sense of normalcy.

• If you've removed all the possible "triggers" for dog marking behavior and it's still happening, try keeping a belly band on your dog whenever he's in the house. Belly bands wrap around the dog's belly and prevent him from urinating on objects. If he marks while wearing the belly band, it will act like a diaper and hold the urine. Since most dogs don't like wearing a wet diaper, this usually stops male dog marking pretty quickly.

What Not to Do

Don't rant, rave or smack your dog at any time.

Punishment will make an insecure dog even more insecure, increasing dog marking behavior.

Don't assume your dog urinates out of spite or jealousy. It just doesn't work that way.

If your dog urinates on your baby's diaper bag, it's not because he's jealous of, or dislikes, your baby.

Instead, the unfamiliar scents and sounds of a new baby in the home are simply causing him to reaffirm his claim on his territory.

Likewise, if your dog urinates on your new boyfriend's backpack, he's not trying to tell you to get rid of the guy. Instead, he sees this new man as an intruder, and is simply letting the intruder know that this territory belongs to him.

Good Communication Helps Eliminate Dog Marking Behavior

The message you're trying to get across to him is that urine marking isn't necessarily bad, but that dog marking inside the house is simply not allowed.

Custom Search

Return from Dog Marking Behavior
to Dog Training Problem Solving

Return from Dog Marking Behavior
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page