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Urine marking is a challenge for dog parents to deal with. Unlike simple accidents, which may indicate a need for some further housebreaking or more frequent potty breaks, urine marking is a territorial behavior. It can be more than a little baffling when a completely potty trained pooch is still peeing on things in the house.
Many dogs like to advertise that a certain object or place is theirs. However, the doggie way to proclaim ownership involves scent, specifically urine.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to change your dog’s habits. But before you take steps to deal with your dog’s urine marking, you should check with your vet to rule out any possible medical causes for the behavior. Conditions like bladder or urinary tract infections can cause a dog to urinate frequently and need to be treated promptly.
Once you’ve ruled out medical causes, you can take at-home measures to finally curb your dog’s urine marking.
Why Do Dogs Urine Mark in the House?
Dogs are not spiteful or vindictive, so urine marking is never a sign that they are trying to “get back at you” for something. Instead, it’s usually brought on by something that they perceive to be a threat to their territory. Here are some of the most common reasons for urine marking:
- Not being spayed or neutered. Although it occurs much more frequently in males, some females will also mark their territory, especially if they are “unaltered.” At times, even spayed or neutered dogs will urine mark in response to an intact animal in the home.
- Unfamiliar objects in the house. New (or new to you) furniture, carpeting, or even a guest’s jacket or purse may trigger the need to mark — especially if they carry the scent of another animal.
- New people in the house. A new roommate, significant other, or baby may trigger urine marking. Putting his scent on things that belong to them is a dog’s way of reminding them that the house is his.
- Establishing dominance. If he’s in conflict with another dog, or even a cat, your dog may be having trouble establishing his place in the pack. He might begin marking his territory as a way to gain the upper paw.
- Contact with unfamiliar animals. Hanging out at the dog park, encountering other dogs on walks, or even seeing other animals through the window can cause some dogs to mark their own territory.
- Anxiety. In some cases, new objects or people in the home, furniture, luggage, or conflict with other animals or people could cause anxiety that leads to urine marking.
Now that we know why dogs often urine mark in the house, we’ll get into the good stuff — how to make it stop!
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How to Stop Your Dog from Marking in the House
Depending on the reason for your dog peeing in the house, one or more of these approaches may be the right one for you. With patience and persistence, you can stop your dog from marking inside.
- Spay or neuter your dog. This will reduce or eliminate urine marking in many dogs. As many as 50-60% of male dogs stop urine marking, or at least do it significantly less often, after being neutered. If your male dog is peeing in the house even after he’s altered, there could be other behavioral or physical issues that need to be addressed.
- Talk to a Certified Veterinary Behaviorist about how to resolve dominance issues between pets. Dogs marking in the house is often about territory, so there may be some hidden (or obvious) signs that your dog is feeling the need to compete. You can find a Veterinary Behaviorist here.
- Clean areas that have been marked with an enzymatic cleaner meant for removing pet stains and odors.
If your dog is marking on hard surfaces, you’ll need a product, like this one
, designed specifically for those.
It also comes in a concentrated gallon size that makes up to 10 gallons of solution, so if you’ve got a huge mess on your paws, it’s up to the challenge!
is meant specifically for carpeted floors.
. Using an enzymatic cleaner will completely
, designed specifically for those. 
is meant specifically for carpeted floors. 
. Using an enzymatic cleaner will completely 
4. Try a synthetic hormone diffuser. These have a calming effect on some dogs and can reduce the urge to mark. I love this one from Adaptil! It comes with the diffuser and a 30-day supply.
5. If your dog’s marking is caused by anxiety, check out our pet anxiety resource page, and be sure talk to your vet about ways to treat it.
6. Limit your dog’s ability to see animals outside. If you can’t block access to windows or doors that allow him to view other animals passing by, you may be able to discourage them from approaching your house.
7. Keep your dog away from areas where he has marked before.
8. Change the meaning of the place where he tends to mark. Leave treats around and feed and play with your dog in the area he marks — he’s less likely to continue marking there.
9. If his marking is in response to a new person in the house, have that person make friends by feeding and playing with your dog. If the new arrival is a baby, give your dog lots of treats, toys, and attention when the baby is around.
10. Establish yourself as the pack leader. One way to do this is to teach your dog basic commands such as “sit” or “lie down” and then have him obey one of these commands before he’s fed or taken for a walk.
11. Move objects he has marked so that they are out of reach, and keep guests’ belongings and new purchases safely stashed away.
12. If your dog’s marking is caused by anxiety, check out our pet anxiety resource page, and be sure talk to your vet about ways to treat it.
What Not to Do When Your Dog Pees in the House
If your dog is peeing in the house, never punish him for it, even if you discover it after only a short time. He won’t make the connection between his actions and your disapproval, which could lead to confusion or fear. However, if you catch him in the act, it’s okay to take actions (such as loud clapping) to discourage him from continuing.
It is possible to stop your dog from urine marking in the house! Fetch your free copy of my complete guide: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Your Dog Peeing in the House today.
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I have 2 unaltered male dogs. One is 13 and is the father of the 1 1/2 yr old. The younger is challenging the older for the dominant position and their marking inside is really getting old. Besides neutering, how can I help the transition of the dominant male or keep it established w the older dog? We also have 2 spayed females in the household, the mother, 4, and the sister to my male, 1 1/2. The mother dog is also a dominant female!! They all wait for the younger female to potty and then all 3 Mark it!! It’s a crazy household!! Please give some suggestions!! Thanks in advance!!
Oh my goodness! You have a lot on your hands Kelly! I assume you do not wish to neuter the males? Because that would be my #1 recommendation. Do they mark the same places? Or different ones all the time? If the same place, it could be because they smell it from before and continue to “refresh” the scent marking. An intense cleaning of those areas with a bio-enzematic cleaner could help. But my gut tells me this is a complicated behavior problem that would best be addressed by a veterinary behaviorist. Here’s a link to help you find one near you. Keep me posted. I hope this helps Kelly! You must be so frustrated!
Hi, could you post the link please, I’m very interested
Hi Carrie,
Here’s that link for how to find a veterinary behaviorist near you. Many of them do phone consults too if you can’t find one nearby.
https://www.dacvb.org/
Kristen
Carrie,
Here’s that link to the Unique Petcare Enzyme cleaner I use and recommend. Sorry for the delay!
https://amzn.to/3gyVP9T
I have 6 puppies that are a month old and they’re everywhere, they are pita dor
Forgot to post the link to find a veterinary behaviorist near you: https://www.dacvb.org/
I forgot to post the link! Here you goL https://amzn.to/3gyVP9T
I have a question, my puppy is 8 months and before we used to go out he used to take a long pee, now all he does is mark many places outside but doesn’t take that long pee. Is this normal ?
Thank you
Hi Jude,
It sounds like he is marking his territory. This could be due to an environmental change. If he is only making outside, it is possible there have been other animals in the area marking in the yard, too. So, naturally he goes and marks his territory in those areas. As long as he is getting all of the urine out, and he is not marking inside the home, it shouldn’t be something to be too concerned about.
Hope this helps!
Kristen
My puppy who’s almost 6 months started doing the same thing, marking all over the street, and it was the same time he started marking on my bed, he now can jump on the bed, and I’ve noticed he doesn’t mark the areas I let him come up on, like the couch. I was just thinking that maybe his behavior outside has a link of him marking the bed as well.
My 2 1/2 year old dog is starting to frequently pee in the house and we have no idea why. He knows to scratch at the door when he has to go but now he doesnt anymore. Nothing has changed in the house and now my parents wish to get rid of him. They dont know this but he helps me calm myself down when they fight. I need advice. How do we stop him if we can find the available resources or dont have time to take him to a trainer?
Hi Emily,
I am so sorry to hear this! Dogs can begin marking for many reasons. It could be anxiety related, too. If he is experiencing stress, he could turn to marking to help calm himself down. Try putting Adaptil diffusers in the rooms that he marks in. These release natural, calming pheromones into the air that communicate “happy messages” to dogs. You can get them here: https://amzn.to/2JVJQsm
Additionally, is he neutered? Un-neutered males are much more likely to mark their territory. Neutering him could correct the issue.
You should also clean the areas he marks regularly with an enzyme cleaner to get all the odor out. If he can still smell it, then he can still smell his urine, he will be more likely to continue to pee there. I use this one: https://amzn.to/3oEVNl1
Also, make sure he is being let outside often enough throughout the day. As a rule, dogs under 8 lbs, take a trip outside about once per hour. For older puppies and larger breed puppies, aim for at least every two hours.
I hope this helps! Good luck.
Kristen
I have a question regarding marking in my home. I have two male dogs that live in my home with a third male dog that comes to visit often. Living in the home one of the males is 11 1/2 and is not neutered the second male is just a year old and has recently been completely neutered. The third male who comes to visit is also neutered but used to live here.
The younger male that lives in my home is marking everywhere. Although neutering completely is only about a week or so old it does not seem to have gotten better in fact it might have gotten worse. He did have a bladder infection and has been on medication for eight days so that does not seem to have made the situation better either. Do you have any suggestions on how to stop him from marking
We have a 6 and 1/2 week male Golden puppy. He is doing very well with training, as long as we take him out every hour or so. When he does go in the house, it is always on the runner in front of the door. A friend wants to bring her adult male dog to our home this evening while we have game night. Would this cause our pup to start marking where this other dog has been, or is he too young to start that? Can’t seem to find this info on internet.
Hi Lynne,
Hmm it is hard to say if having a visitor may cause him to mark. Typically, un-neutered males are more likely to mark, but it sounds like the accidents your puppy is having inside are not marking related. It seems like he just can’t hold it, and he accidentally goes in front of the door. So, I would say if he hasn’t marked before, having a new dog over shouldn’t be an issue as long as they are introduced properly.
If you are worried, I would recommend vacuuming and cleaning really well in the areas that the other dog has been after he leaves the house. That way, your puppy is less likely to smell where he has been! An enzyme floor cleaner, like this one https://amzn.to/3pD9TVq , can really help in getting those odors out completely!
Hope this helps!
Kristen
We adopted our 8 month puppy 2minths ago. He has settled in well but has started marking on items belonging to my 11 year old daughter!.
First her school bag and now a beanbag in her room and any where he pleases. We have used the enzyme breaker to clean but now he is only allowed in any room if someone is there. I want him to have freedom but can’t stand the thought of him marking everywhere.
Hi El,
Oh no! I am sorry to hear your new puppy is marking. Has he been neutered? That is my #1 recommendation since neutered males are much less likely to mark. Continue to clean each area he goes with an enzyme cleaner, and be sure to follow the directions exactly. I use this one: https://amzn.to/37aGk6D When he marks, take him outside so he knows that is where he is supposed to go. As he is adjusting to his new home, he is likely marking his territory. Adaptil diffusers communicate “happy messages” to dogs, and this could help him feel more calm. I would put one in all the rooms he marks in. You can get one here: https://amzn.to/2SVi9Rk
I hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Kristen
I need help!!!! I have a 2 yr old male Yorkie that is a rescue. He marks more than normal. And I don’t know how to stop him. He is now getting on my table and marking in the middle of the table. I CAN NOT have this behavior!!!! What do I do?? Is it to late to get him fixed to stop yye behavior??!! Is anyone can help PLEASE email me at sarahhall665@gmail.com
Thank you ❤️
Sir I had a pomeranian 5 month old when he saw a a Street dog lifting his leg and then he also began. Now he has been 10 months he is marks on the walls . I am fed up of his behaviour.
He is not not neutered.
Pleaseee help
Rajni,
If you have him neutered there is a good chance the behavior will be reduced — possibly even eliminated.
Good luck!
Kristen
I have a two year old min pin Pomeranian and he is fixed and yet he pisses on everything. It don’t matter what it is. Then of course the older and bigger dog piss where he pissed. It is getting so old. What can I do?
I have a daschund and a pug and the pug keeps jumping on my sons bed and weeing and it’s really getting annoying! What can I do he isn’t done as he is still u der one and my daughter (his dog mum) doesn’t want him doing yet? Heeellllpppp!
Hi Diane,
It’s perfectly safe to have him neutered under a year old. But if your daughter wants to wait, I understand.
Regarding the pug weeing on your son’s bed, is this the only place he goes? If so, a temporary fix would be to restrict his access to the son’s room. It’s hard to know for sure why he’s marking your son’s bed. It could be a territorial behavior as you have another dog.
Sometimes dogs mark due to a health issue or due to anxiety. I’d suggest you take him to the vet to rule out any medical issues that could be causing or contributing to the behavior. The veterinarian can also determine if anxiety may be a factor.
Good luck!
Kristen
I have a 3 year old pug that marks throughout the house. He is a rescue that have been neutered. We feed him at the spot that he many marks on and I have a good pet cleaner that is suppose to remove the scent. When we go on walks, Rocket constantly stops and marks every bush, pole, tree, etc. even when he doesn’t even have any ore urine coming out he still lifts his leg.
I do t know what to do??
Hi Sarah!
Yikes, you poor thing! No it’s definitely NOT too late to neuter him. As a matter of fact, that might stop the behavior all together or at least reduce the marking.
It takes a few weeks after a dog is neutered for you to see the difference, so I’d book the appointment today!
I would also talk to the vet about the problem so he/she can examine him and do diagnostics to rule out any medical issues that could be causing the behavior.
I hope this is helpful! Keep me posted.
Kristen
I have a 20 month old Shihtiz. He has been neuter. He still hikes & pees on my furniture or anything that is in the floor. He will pee in my kitchen & bathrooms. It’s just me in the house no other dogs hike here. I have asked the vet & he said they get it from a family member. It’s just about to drive me crazy. I am a clean nut anyway & I just don’t know what to do. I have pads down for him. What would help me please I need it. Thank you
Hi Linda,
I’m sorry to hear of your struggle with your pup marking in the house!
Some dogs urine mark due to anxiety. I would try getting him a pheromone collar like this one: https://amzn.to/2Pmj37G. You might also try limiting his access to certain areas of the house, especially those where he’s marking a lot.
Keep me posted!
Kristen
Hi I have a 6 years old shitzu mix he pees everywhere in my house I always have pads in the house but in a certain area so he can just pee there but the pads are always dry I’m going crazy because is getting out of hands I started adding pads everywhere in the house but I don’t know if it is a good idea please help me
Hi Josie!
Oh gosh, that is difficult! Is he neutered? That would be my number one recommendation since neutered males are much less likely to mark. Additionally, puppy pads can be good for training and to help with accidents, but when you use them all the time it can cause dogs to think it is okay to pee inside. So, if you notice him peeing on the pad, take him outside as soon as he is done to help redirect the behavior. Also, clean the area well after he goes so he can’t smell the pee anymore. That will help him to not go there again. This is the cleaner that I use: https://amzn.to/32m14pk and I love it!
Let me know if this helps!
Kristen
My dog stopped peeing in the house the very next day after surgery! I was shocked it happened so quickly he was a year old when I had him neutered! I still want to know why! He abruptly stopped? I am very happy he did but what happened to stop it?
Hi M,
That is awesome! Often times, neutering fixes the issue entirely. That is because neutered males are a lot less likely to want to mark their territory as opposed to non-neutered males! I am glad that neutering worked for you!
Kristen
Hi we have a neutured male Jack Russel. He has been great with our cat in the house but sibce we bought in a rescue cat he has started marking. Up against my drapes and on brand new carpet. Up against my washing in a basket on the doors. On the tiles by a door and those drapes as well.
What do you suggest?
My Jack Russel does the same thing and I can not break him of it. Along with curtains, furniture legs, corners of beds, Teen backpacks are his favorite! I am at my wits end and am moving to a new larger house and do not know what to do with him. I feel I may have to restrict him to one room and this makes me sad. I now diaper him in the house, which embarrasses the hell out of me, but he is quite masterful at getting it off… I know it is a dominance issue with my older border collie. Also, its always worse during and after boys and men have been over…as he shows off for them seriously bad. His in every other way is great, but this is really got my anger issues up with him.
Hi Skye,
Oh boy. Sorry to hear your Jack Russell is giving you such trouble with his marking! Is he neutered? If not, get him neutered as this will reduce or possibly eliminate the behavior.
Also, you can try getting some pheromone diffusers for the room/s he marks the most. This mimics is a natural calming hormone in dogs. If he’s more relaxed, he may mark less. I like these: https://amzn.to/34U8phz
You can also take him to a veterinary behaviorist who can help resolve the problem through behavior modification or possibly medication.
Keep me posted.
Kristen
Hi Helen,
It’s not uncommon for male dogs (even neutered ones) to start marking when there are changes in their environment.
It’s possible it may subside. In the meantime I would talk to your vet about this behavior and have him examined. The vet can rule out any potential medical issue.
Also, he could be marking due to anxiety related to the changes. You can try getting him a pheromone collar — a natural way to calm dogs. I like this one: https://amzn.to/2Pmj37G
Good luck and keep me posted!
Kristen
Did you get an answer?
I have a neutered 1 1/2 year male that wants to keep urinating on my 6 month old female.
Hey Peggy!
Sorry to hear that your pup is peeing on your younger dog. Have you tried some kind of calming product? Sometimes neutered male dogs mark due to anxiety. Below are a few products that might help.
Adaptil Calming Collar (natural pheromones): https://amzn.to/2Pmj37G
Calming Spray: https://amzn.to/31cZ68Z
Good luck!!!
Kristen
I have 2 dogs that pee in the house, they go outside and back in and pee. One is an older yorkie the orher is a 7 year wenner. I’ve tried taking them out more often, putting away the water bowl and nothing helps, they are both rescue dogs. HELP they are fe.ales and fixed
Help! Our two Italian greyhounds (ages 9 and 10, both neutered) have a space to use the bathroom indoors – a large Rubbermaid tub with a washable puppy pad in the bottom that is changed regularly. When the younger dog uses the bathroom, the older will frequently follow him and mark on the outside of the tub while the younger is doing his business (we’ve caught him on camera!! He also does the same thing outside). This typically only happens while we are gone and they are confined to a small area of the house together. We’ve cleaned the outside of the tub with an enzyme cleaner. Do I need to keep them in separate areas when we’re gone? They’re buds so I hate to split them up but the mess is awful!
Hi Rachel,
It sounds like your older dog is trying to establish some dominance over the younger dog. So, he is marking on him. However, since they have both been neutered, it is possible this behavior has become a habit for him.
My first recommendation is to speak with a veterinary behaviorist. They are often not more expensive than a regular vet visit, and they can help determine a cause (and a solution) for the marking behavior. You can find one here: https://www.dacvb.org/
Next, try placing treats in spots where he pees inside so he is less likely to keep going there. And, always use a enzymatic cleaner for where he marks inside. I like this one: https://amzn.to/3l2cDs3
I hope this gives you a good place to start. Good luck, and please keep me posted!
Kristen
I have an 8 year old miniature dachshund. We live with my in-laws and he always marks the corner of their bed in their bedroom. We try to keep the bedroom door closed as much as possible but sometimes he sneaks in and marks there or other spots in their spaces upstairs (we live in the basement apartment).
He will also poop in the basement if we leave him alone, even if he just went poop outside right before. I will buy the spray and get the diffuser, but do you have any other tips to discourage marking/pooping in the house?