There’s something about a dog peeing on a fire hydrant or tree that just makes us laugh. It’s almost like they’re saying, “This is my spot, and nobody else can use it!” But what is it that drives dogs to mark their territory?
Ultimately, dogs mark their territory for many reasons, from saying “hi” to other dogs to asserting dominance. Let’s take a closer look at this quirky behavior and what you can do about it.
Why Do Dogs Pee on Items?
Dogs communicate with each other in a variety of ways, including barking, body language, and scent marking. When it comes to marking their territory, pee is one of the most important tools in a dog’s arsenal. By leaving their scent behind, dogs can let other dogs know about their presence, as well as their intentions.
For example, a male dog who urinates on a fence is telling any other males in the area that this is his territory and that they should stay away. On the other hand, a dog who urinates on a fire hydrant may be signaling to available females in heat. In either case, pee plays an important role in dog communication.
Think of every tree and fire hydrant as reading the doggy newspaper. By smelling pee, your dog can tell which dog has been there, whether any of his buddies are around, and whether there is a strange dog in the area that needs to be monitored.
Urination Can Stem from Showing Dominance
Marking is a dominant behavior in dogs and is used to communicate dominance and territory. When a dog pees on something, they are leaving its scent behind, which serves as a marker for other dogs. This helps to establish dominance over a certain area and can also be used to assert control over other dogs.
Marking is often seen as aggressive behavior, but it is a natural part of canine communication. Males are more likely to mark than their female counterparts, but unspayed female dogs may mark as well.
Marking Territory Can Result from Anxiety
When a dog encounters a new person or situation, it may feel anxious or stressed. One way that dogs deal with this stress is by peeing on stuff. Marking is often misinterpreted as an act of aggression, but it is a way for dogs to communicate their anxiety.
By leaving their scent on an object, dogs are effectively saying, “This is my territory and I’m feeling threatened.”
Medical Reasons Can Lead to Excessive Urination
A dog might have a medical reason for constant urination. Just like humans get urinary tract infections (UTIs), dogs can get them too.
A UTI is a common health condition that can affect dogs of all ages, though they are most common in senior dogs. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply, causing inflammation and pain. Symptoms of a UTI include increased frequency of urination, straining to urinate, and blood in the urine.
If left untreated, a UTI can lead to more serious health problems, including kidney damage. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to help prevent UTIs in your dog. First, make sure that your dog has access to plenty of fresh water and encourage them to drink frequently. You should also feed them a high-quality diet that includes plenty of fiber to maintain urinary tract health.
4 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Marking Territory
While marking outdoors is sometimes annoying because of the time it takes for your dog to complete their walk with the frequent pee stops, marking indoors is a definite no-no. If you want to control your dog’s urge to mark, here are a few tips:
1. Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying and neutering your dog will be a good way to stop territorial marking. One of the main reasons why females mark is in the hopes of finding a mate and to suggest to other males that they are around. Males mark to display dominance or assert control over their territory.
By “fixing” your dog, marking behavior has been known to decrease by up to 80 percent in some male dogs.
2. Clean the Soiled Areas Thoroughly
Dogs are creatures of habit and if they marked over something once, they would likely go to the same spot. Clean up their pee thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and spray odor deodorizer to mask the scent.
3. Refrain from Punishing Your Dog for Peeing Indoors
Don’t punish your dog for marking or it could trigger more anxiety and stress, making the situation worse. First, take your dog for frequent walks so that he can relieve himself in a designated area. Second, whenever you see your dog lift his leg to urinate, immediately say “no” in a firm voice and take him outside to one pee spot. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, your dog will learn that marking is not acceptable behavior.
4. Have a Pee Command
It is possible to teach your dog to pee on command. The first step is to choose a word or phrase that you will use as the cue. Once you have decided on a cue, it is important to be consistent in using it.
Every time your dog goes to the bathroom, say the cue. With enough practice, your dog will begin to associate the cue with going to the bathroom. In addition, it is important to reward your dog for going to the bathroom when and where you want them to. A treat or a pat on the head will let them know that they are doing what you want.
