When a furry friend marks in the home, it can be a frustrating problem for dog owners. Especially if the dog is actually house-trained and suddenly starts leaving puddles of urine around the house. What is behind this behavior and what can be done about it? In this article, we look at the various causes of marking in the home, show typical case studies and provide practical solutions.
Why does my dog mark in the home?
The first question dog owners often ask themselves when their dog pees in the home is: "Why is he doing this?". There are various reasons for this messy behavior, and it is important to understand the cause in order to be able to provide targeted remedies.
1. Marking behavior and scent marks
Marking behavior is a natural behavior that can occur mainly in male dogs, but also in female dogs. By setting scent marks, the dog signals to other four-legged friends that this territory belongs to him. Increased marking can occur, especially in households with several animals, if the furry friend wants to clarify its position within the pack. This is particularly common in households with velvet paws or other pets such as rabbits. Cat owners are also often familiar with this problem when their cat pees outside the litter tray.
2. Protest peeing and house soiling
Another common reason for peeing in the home is so-called protest peeing. Dogs often show protest behavior when they are unhappy with a certain situation. This can occur, for example, in the case of separation anxiety, when the pet stays home alone and expresses its dissatisfaction by peeing. In such situations, protest peeing dogs use urine to show their frustration. This is also known as house-training, but should not be confused with a general inability to be house-trained.
3. Separation anxiety and excitement
Separation stress is a common trigger for unclean behavior in dogs. If a furry friend is left alone for a long time, this can lead to insecurity and anxiety. Some dogs pee out of sheer excitement or insecurity when their human comes home. This behavior is also known as joy peeing. It is a gesture of appeasement that is particularly common in puppies and young dogs. This behavior often subsides with age, but it can still occur in adulthood in very excited four-legged friends.
4. Health problems: Urinary tract infections and cystitis
Health problems can also be the cause of marking or peeing in the home. Urinary tract infections or bladder infections often lead to increased urine leakage. In these cases, it may be that the dog is not marking intentionally, but that the bladder muscles are simply weakened, leading to urinary incontinence. Urinary tract infections also lead to increased urine loss and the dog has difficulty holding back the urine. A visit to the vet is essential here to rule out health-related causes.
5. Incorrect connections and training
Sometimes marking also has to do with incorrect associations that the dog has made in the course of its upbringing. One example of this is dogs that do not have enough opportunity to do their business outside. A lack of walking routines can lead to the dog not learning a clear distinction between outside and inside. Some dogs also pee out of insecurity or because they don't understand that they have to go outside.
What should you do if your dog marks in the home?
There are various approaches to tackling the problem of marking. Here are some tried and tested methods:
1. See a vet
Before dealing intensively with the dog's behavior, you should rule out any health problems. A visit to the vet will help to diagnose and treat any urinary tract infections, bladder infections or other health issues.
2. Consistency and fixed walking routines
Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to dog training. Make sure you give your dog regular and sufficient exercise so that he has plenty of opportunity to relieve himself outside. Fixed walk times help your dog to develop a routine and understand that they need to do their business outside.
3. Create the right basket and retreats
A pleasant and quiet environment helps your dog to feel safe and comfortable. A comfortable basket or dog blanket offers the dog a place to retreat to where it can relax. Separation anxiety can be reduced in this way. For dogs that suffer from severe separation stress, there are also calming products such as Adaptilan odorless spray that releases calming pheromones and helps the dog to feel safer.
4. Thoroughly clean marked areas
It is important to clean the marked areas thoroughly to completely remove urine residue and odor-causing bacteria. A special odour spray helps to neutralize the smell so that the dog does not mark in the same place again.
5. Avoid linking errors
Make sure you give your dog clear signals as to when and where he is allowed to relieve himself. Reward the dog with treats and praise when he does his business outside. However, avoid scolding him for puddles in the home, as this can lead to insecurity and reinforce the problem. Instead, the correct behavior should be positively reinforced.
6. Consult an animal trainer or behavioral therapist
If the problem persists despite all efforts, it may be useful to consult an animal trainer or a veterinarian specializing in behavioral problems. Such experts can help to get to the bottom of the causes and develop individual solutions.
7. Consider litter trays or alternatives
For some dogs, particularly older animals or shelter dogs, it can be useful to consider alternatives such as litter trays or special training mats. These offer the dog a way to relieve itself without being messy in the home.
Conclusion
Marking in the home can have various causes, from health problems such as urinary tract infections to separation anxiety and training mistakes. It is important to find out the cause of the dog's behavior and to take targeted action against it. Whether through fixed walking routines, behavioral changes or the help of an expert - with patience and the right solutions, the problem of house-training can in most cases be brought under control.
If your four-legged friend continues to pee in protest, it may be time to delve deeper into his behavior and analyze exactly what can be improved in his environment. With loving consistency and understanding, this behavior can also be stopped in the long term and the home will stay clean again - without any puddles or markings.
Photo by Berkay Gumustekin on Unsplash
