Urine marking is one way dogs communicate with other dogs. A dog can determine the sex, reproductive status, and identity of the dog that left the urine mark by the dog urine odor. Males are more likely than female dogs to marking behavior, and unaltered male dogs mark most frequently of all. Intact females may mark to announce they are going into heat. Though marking generally consists of a very small amount of urine, it is unpredictable where, or how often, any given dog will mark. Sometimes a dog marks when he smells something new on his people’s shoes or because pets in the home are feuding. Some dogs never mark inside their homes, only leaving their scent in another home or while they are out for a walk. Generally, urine marking is considered to be a canine response to a perceived threat, whether that consists of unfamiliar people or dogs, a new piece of furniture, or even a bag of groceries.
Your first preventative measure against urine marking is to spay and neuter your dogs. It has been shown that about 50% of urine marking problems in the home are eliminated by the neutering of an intact male dog. You can restrict your dog’s access to other dogs and to items that are likely to be marked. Place treats under and around frequently marked objects that are not practical to hide, such as purses and shoes. The dog will learn to see those objects as a food source rather than a trigger for further marking. You can get a male dog wrap from a pet supply company, allowing him to mark, but not soil your belongings. Do not scold your dog for urine marking, and do not prevent him from marking during walks, as these actions will further frustrate him and may increase the likelihood of further incidents of marking inside the home.
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