Urine marking is a habit some dogs develop as a response to changes in their surroundings and living situation. It may be a byproduct of moving to a new home or adding a pet. Some dogs may also engage in urine marking due to anxiety or the presence of a potential mate.
Regardless of what specific reason motivates your pet’s urine marking, there are ways to address it effectively. However, pet owners may also make certain mistakes that could further ramp up their dog’s marking frequency.
Let’s use this article to highlight those mistakes. Keep them in mind at all times so you can effectively manage your pet’s urine marking.
Punishing Your Dog
First and foremost, you must avoid punishing your dog or puppy for marking around your house. Remember that your dog is marking for a reason other than seeking relief. From their perspective, marking is not the same as normal urination.
Because your dog doesn’t see marking as a potty habit, they will likely not understand why you are punishing them. They won’t make that connection between the punishment and their marking. Punishing may only serve to exacerbate their stress further.
According to the Oregon Humane Society, punishing your dog for urine marking will only work if you do it at the right time. On top of that, you must punish your pet each and every time they engage in marking, or else the lesson will not stick in their mind. Even if you are somehow able to pull off those types of punishment, you still run the risk of scaring your pet. Your relationship may never recover from your excessive scolding.
It’s easy to give in to anger when you see your dog urinating on an expensive fixture or piece of furniture. Even so, you must realize that giving in at that point will only be bad for you and your pet. Utilize a different method of curbing urine marking if you want positive results.
Reducing Your Dog’s Time Outside
Because your dog is reacting to animals outside, you may think that keeping them indoors will resolve the marking issue. It’s far from an outlandish conclusion, and first-time pet owners can easily make that mistake.
The problem with keeping your dog inside is it disrupts their routine. By that point, they’ve likely gotten used to walks around the neighborhood. It may even be their favorite time of the day because they get to explore and hang out with you.
Take that away from them, and they may become more agitated and anxious. Keeping your pet inside all day may only increase the instances of marking instead of reducing them.
Stopping Your Dog from Urine Marking While Outside
While walking outside, your dog may stumble upon an interesting spot and decide to mark it. After seeing your dog raise their leg, you instinctively tug on their leash to stop them. Avoid that instinct because it would be a big mistake on your part.
Stopping your dog from marking outside may give them more reason to mark indoors. Urine marking inside your home may be the way they compensate for their foiled attempt. You don’t want your pet to heed that dog training lesson.
Given the choice between marking inside or outside, the better option should be clear. Let your dog get their desire to urine mark out of their system so your home can stay clean.
Using Ammonia-Based Cleaners
Finally, you should avoid using ammonia-based cleaners whenever you’re cleaning one of your dog’s messes. The ammonia-based cleaner may render the soiled area spotless, but it will also leave a distinctive scent that your pet will immediately recognize. They will repeatedly return to that spot as long as that scent is present.
Dealing with urine marking can be tricky, but it’s a more manageable undertaking if you know the mistakes to avoid. Review the tips in this article so you can properly address the issue of urine marking whenever it pops up.
Have more questions about how to stop urine marking? Schedule a complimentary call with our dog trainer Cathy today.
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