Owners have grown accustomed to their canines lifting their legs to mark trees and bushes during routine walks. The behavior is motivated by more than a mere need to urinate (and in some cases, defecate). It is a way to communicate territorial ownership. If it is only done outside, few owners would complain. The problem is that many dogs mark inside the home.

Below, we'll explain why dogs mark and the function it serves. We'll also explore why some do it within the home and how owners can effectively curb the behavior.

Part Of A Pack Mentality

As pack animals, canines are naturally driven to protect their territory. When they live together within their pack, their territory represents everything they need in order to perpetuate the clan. Specifically, that includes their mates and pups. Marking serves as a warning to others. It communicates to another animal that it has wandered into claimed territory. In effect, it is trespassing.

There are pheromones within a pooch's urine that are instantly recognizable to other canines. When a trespasser detects those pheromones, there is little question that another dog has marked the area. That said, canines will also use feces, scratches on the ground, and other signs to mark the ground or an object.

You'll occasionally notice your pooch marking territory that you have witnessed another pet marking in the past. This is common. The second dog (in this case, your own) is trying to claim the area of the first. This often becomes an ongoing dispute until one or the other eventually concedes defeat.

Why It Happens Inside The Home

If your pooch is marking areas within your home, his motivation is often triggered by the same instincts that lead him to do it outside: protection of territory. He likely understands his place in the hierarchy under your leadership. However, he may be confused or uncertain regarding his place in the presence of a new baby, other pets, or even guests in your home. That is, his marking is a derivative of claiming his territory.

Treating The Cause And Symptoms

Curbing the behavior may be as simple as spaying or neutering your pooch. If he's intact, there is a 50% chance that neutering will remove his motivation to mark an area - both outside and inside your home. If your canine is neutered and continues to mark, he may be concerned about the presence of unfamiliar dogs nearby. The most effective solution is to simply keep those canines away.

In rare cases, a pooch may mark an area within a home because he has an inflated perspective of his place in the household hierarchy. This behavior is usually accompanied by aggression toward his owner. In these type of circumstances, it is important to enroll the canine into a training program as soon as possible.

Marking is only a problem if your dog does it indoors. Whether due to stress, confusion, or aggression, understanding the behavior holds the key to curbing it.

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categories: Dogs, Dog, Dog Training, Dog Owners, Dog Behavior

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Written by Alex Roseone using tags: dog, dog behavior, Dog Owners, dog training, Dogs, Pets