How to Stop a Neutered Dog From Marking His Territory

Neutered dogs are far less likely to mark their territory.

Most male dogs will stop marking territory within a few months after being neutered. Some of the reasons your dog may still be marking include: there is a new animal in the house and he is asserting himself; there is an intact animal in the home and your dog is responding to those pheromones; you have new furniture or a new baby; your dog sees another dog outdoors. There may be a medical reason as well. Have your veterinarian rule out any bladder or bowel issues before taking the steps to prevent territorial marking.

Things You'll Need

• Odor remover such as Nature's Miracle for indoor markings.
• Strong 4' long nylon leash

Instructions

1. Remove the scent of urine. Even if you can't smell it, you can bet that the dog can. Using an enzymatic odor remover such as Nature's Miracle is the fastest way to remove the odor. In many cases, simply removing the reminder to mark (i.e. the urine scent) will solve the problem.

2. Restrict access to the room where the dog is marking, if applicable. If the dog is marking in a particular room, don't let him have access to that room. Baby gates work well for this problem for most dogs.

3. Train your dog not to mark. Make sure you and every other member of your household are being consistent with the dog to avoid confusion and reinforce the training. Every time the dog lifts his leg to mark inside the house, deliver a stern, "NO" and immediately take the dog outside to eliminate. This will reinforce house training.

4. Resolve any problems or territorial conflicts among household animals. If your dog is marking because he is at odds with another dog in the home, or because there is a new companion animal in the environment, seek the counsel of a professional trainer to resolve those conflicts.

5. Medicate your dog if he is in need of anti-anxiety treatment. Some dogs mark out of anxiety or because of a nervous disorder. If this is the case with your dog, get him some help through a dog behavior counselor or ask your veterinarian for anti-anxiety medication.

Tips & Warnings

• CONSISTENCY IS EVERYTHING. Without consistent training EVERY single time, you will not be as successful training the dog.

• Most collars have different levels of shocking. Use the lowest possible setting that gets your dog's attention. Don't crank it up to '10' to punish the dog.

References

• Humane Society of the United States: Why Dogs Mark
• Humane Society of the United States: Urine Marking Prevention

Resources

• My Pet Health Guide: Stop Your Dog From Peeing in the House