Dog Marking 

Dog Marking 

Have you ever been out on a walk and notice that your four-legged friend goes out of their way to pee on every single rock or tree along the way? This is known as “marking”. In your dog’s head, marking their territory with a small amount of urine is likely just a simple way of saying “hello” to other dogs nearby. Keep in mind that this is totally normal behavior and a way for dogs to communication. In fact, this is something that they’ve been doing since humans started tracking their behavior way back in the day. We know that marking is a way for our dogs to communication, but there are several other reasons beyond this.

Male dogs who have not been neutered are more likely to mark their territory compared to dogs that have been fixed. The same goes for unspayed female dogs, especially if they are in heat. Your dog may also mark their territory if they are overly excited. New and super exciting social situations can make your dog want to mark on everything in sight. This may be more common at a dog park or in an area where a lot of dogs are walked!

In your dog’s head, their territory might encompass not just their home and yard, but also the areas where they go for walks. If another dog has been in your dog’s “territory”, your dog might feel the need to mark to assert ownership. On the other hand, the dog may have a medical issue which causes them to mark. There may be an underlying medical condition such as a urinary tract infection, incontinence, or reaction to a medication. It is important that you speak to your veterinarian to determine if there is an underlying issue.

You may be wondering if you can put a stop to dog marking. Of course, you can! You will need to identify why your dog is marking. If you know why, you can avoid the situation. Another tip is to create a routine. Establish spots outside the house or on your walking route where marking is acceptable. Do your part to train your dog my helping them recognize those spots by rewarding them when they mark there. Lastly, do not yell at your dog if they continue to mark during the process of getting them to stop. As always, a little patience and consistency goes a long way!