How to Stop Your Dog From Marking Indoors

Training your dogs keeps them from marking in your home.

Whether your pet is a puppy or grown, urinating in the home can become a problem. Knowing how to keep your dog from marking cuts down on smells and stains. It also helps your dog become well-adjusted.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning tools
• Anti-urine cleaning spray
• Puppy training pads

1. Give your home a thorough cleaning. Scrub away past accidents that your dog (or other dogs) has had. Dogs are attracted to areas they've marked before, so eliminating the scent helps in training them.

2. Use a special cleaning solution for pet owners. Many brands exist that include ingredients to keep your dog from wanting to mark its territory indoors.

3. Place a puppy training pad by the door where the dog leaves to potty outside. Puppy training pads come with an "attractant" in the fibers of the material. This attractant does exactly what its name implies -- it attracts your dog to its business.

4. Use positive reinforcement to help your dog stop marking indoors. Offer your dog a small treat after he goes outside to do his business. When the dog has an accident or marks indoors, do not give it a treat. Eventually, the dog figure out when it's doing something that warrants receiving treats.

5. Remain patient while working with your dog. Some dogs have nervous bladders and cannot help releasing urine inside. Sometimes incontinence or the appearance of "marking" its territory could be a medical problem. If the behavior persists, contact a vet for a checkup and to get advice.

References

• Veterinary Parnter: Housebreaking Dogs

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish