CANINE URINE MARKING
Urine marking is a method of communicating by dogs. It is different than urination which is the
act of voiding a full bladder. Urine marking is usually the deposition of small amounts of urine on
vertical surfaces such as trees, fences, furniture, or walls. Urine marking is usually done to mark
a dog’s territory; it is sending a message to other dogs. Anxiety or fear may also be a reason for
a dog to urine mark.
Urine marking is a normal canine behavior, it is especially common in sexually mature and intact
(not neutered) male dogs. It is seen much less in neutered males and females. Because this
behavior is instinctual for dogs, punishing them for this behavior is very confusing for them, as
well as ineffective. Punishment usually just increases anxiety and IS NOT recommended!
If you plan on NOT neutering your dog, you should also plan on seeing some undesired urine
marking behavior from your dog. If you are lucky, this may just occur out of the house, but do
not be surprised if it also happens indoors. This is NORMAL behavior for your dog even though it
is often undesirable behavior to us, especially when it happens in the indoor setting. Make your
decision not to neuter wisely, be sure you are prepared for this!
Although any breed may mark indoors, indoor marking seems to be more common in small
breed dogs. These dogs due to their size, may feel that even the indoor environment is very
large and needs to be marked as territory.
We must realize that urine marking behavior is part of all dog’s (male, female or neutered)
normal behavior repertoire. Not all dogs will show it, and not all will show it to the same degree. It
is often suppressed or latent until it is surfaces or is released by some sort of trigger. Examples
of triggers can be the entry of a new person or pet into the household, or some other sort of
anxiety inducing event. Once this normal behavior has begun, it can be difficult to eliminate.
Seeking help to find resolution quickly is important.
The first step is to rule out a medical cause. A urinalysis should be done to rule out any
underlying infection. Ideally abdominal x-rays or ultrasound should be done to make sure that
urinary tract stones are not present. In some cases, especially if medical therapy is going to be
considered, a Blood Profile with a complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry should be
done to make sure there is no evidence of organ dysfunction or underlying illness.
The next step is to get a thorough behavioral history. Some Questions to consider are:
1. Is the dog neutered, and what age was he neutered?
2. Is the dog well housetrained otherwise?
3. Are there any other behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, noise phobia?
4. When did the problem start?
5. Where does the marking occur, on what surfaces?
6. How often does it happen?
7. Does it happen when the dog is alone?
8. Does it happen when people are home?
9. What has changed in the household? Are there new pets, new people?
10. What do the people do when they find or see the problem happen?
11. Is any punishment involved?
12. What kind of training has the dog had?
13. What is the daily routine, how much exercise does the dog receive?
14. How are the soiled sites cleaned?
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CANINE URINE MARKING?
All treatment methods should be positive. Trying to punish a normal instinctive canine
behavior is ineffective at best and often very harmful and anxiety inducing and could worsen
the problem.
IDEALLY WE START BACK WITH THE BASICS OF HOUSE TRAINING
For resources on House Training and Crate training, visit the Deer Run Animal Hospital’s
web page on HOUSETRAINING
The cornerstones of this are:
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Consistency
Supervision
Confinement when unable to supervise.
Positive reinforcement for behavior we approve of, such as for urinating and
marking outdoors, must be done. We need to show the dog what behavior we
want him to do.
With close supervision and observation, we often can see cues that the dog is about to
urine mark such as approaching a previously marked site or sniffing and searching. If we
see this, we need to redirect the dog and give him an opportunity to do this normal
behavior outdoors where it is more acceptable to us. We also need to be present when he
does the behavior outdoors so that we can reward him instantly! We need to show the
dog where it is OK and acceptable to mark. We need to avoid focusing on punishing him
for where not to mark, this is confusing to the dog.
Consider the Umbilical Cord Method!
It is easy to become distracted and miss cues and opportunities to redirect and get your
dog
outdoors. One method that can help over come this, is to use the “umbilical cord” method.
Use a long tether tied around your waist. If your dog starts to move in a direction to
search out an area to mark, you will be quickly alerted and able to redirect.
Areas that are marked can be restricted, use baby gates or closed doors. If your dog
is marking a particular wall or piece of furniture, restrict access to that area, especially
when supervision is not possible.
Teach your dog to love being in a crate so he has a safe and happy place to spend
time when you are not able to supervise. Offer fantastic food stuffed toys to happily
occupy your dog when he is in his crate. Never use the crate for punishment. Visit the
Deer Run Website to learn about FOOD TOYS that dogs love!
REMOVE PRIOR URINE ODOR WITH AN ENZYMATIC ODOR ELIMINATOR
Our favorite product is called Anti-Icky-Poo by the MisterMax Company. It is the
absolute best odor eliminator on the market. Anti-icky Poo can be purchased at Deer Run
Animal Hospital. Other Enzymatic odor eliminators can be purchased at pet stores. Visit
the Deer Run Website for Anti-Icky-Poo Pet Odor Removal Articles.
CONSIDER THE USE OF A BELLY BAND
In some cases this much supervision and confinement is just impossible. For those
situations consider the use of a Belly Band. This is a doggy style diaper that simply
wraps around the dogs belly. While we do not recommend these for regular young dog
house training, Belly Bands can be a management solution for urine marking in male
dogs.
In some cases Belly Bands may actually decrease or prevent urine marking. In most
cases however, they simply prevent soiling of the house. One minor risk is that if not
changed frequently and monitored, they can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection
USING A GENTLE AVERSIVE TECHNIQUE TO MAKE THE URINE MARKED
UNDESIRABLE FOR FURTHER MARKING
This technique must be done very carefully as it does involve some punishment. The
punishment however does not come from people. The point is to simply “booby trap” the
area that is urine marked to make the pet not want to go back to it. If anxiety is a
component of the problem, this may not be the best solution. The aversive sound or
sensation must be strong enough to stop the behavior without causing fear, and should
NOT be associated with the owner’s presence.
Two options are:
1. Set up a pile of pop cans that that will easiliy fall over at the sight of marking
2. Use a motion detector that will spray compressed air or sound an alarm to mildly
frighten the dog away. An example is the Contech STAY-AWAY Compressed Air
Motion Detector
TREAT FOR ANXIETY IF IT IS A COMPONENT
1. Consider Anxiety relieving Pheromone Scent Communication Therapy with Adaptil.
2. Consider adding Medication if Anxiety is playing a significant role.
If anxiety is a possible cause or trigger for urine marking, anti-anxiety medication
should be considered. If medical therapy is done, it is important that the full medical
workup with blood work, urinalysis, and x-rays are done before starting medication.
Medication may not have immediate effect, but may bring about benefit within 4-8
weeks.
SEEK HELP FROM A VETERIARNY BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST
Since established urine marking is often difficult to extinguish some problematic cases may
benefit from a referral from us to a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. These experts
have extensive experience with treating this difficult problem. See the Deer Run Website’s
BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST REFERRALS webpage for more information.