Have you ever noticed that when you take your dog out for a walk he relieves himself frequently in many different places? This behavior doesn't indicate a medical problem; he's telling other dogs to stay out of his territory. This isn't really a problem unless the dog's marking on the side of your Chippendale armoire. Now he's on your territory and it's time to set him straight. Here are some steps you can take to discourage dog marking.

Why He Does It

If your dog's marking every floor lamp and table leg in your house, it may not be a house training issue. Dogs rely on their sense of smell a lot more than us humans. He's basically setting up an olfactory fence around his territory, warning other dogs to stay away. You can tell when this type of behavior is a .housetraining issue versus when it is territorial dog marking. If your dog is truly emptying his bladder on the hat tree in the hall, then it's a housetraining issue. If he's leaving his calling card with little squirts here, there and everywhere, it's territorial. Testosterone is almost certainly the culprit.

How to Stop Dog Marking

The best and easiest way to stop dog marking is to prevent it by having your dog neutered at an early age. Marking behavior is strongly influenced by testosterone levels. The sooner the surgery is performed, the better. Marking behavior can simply become a habit as your dog gets older and having him neutered will be less effective in eliminating the behavior as your dog ages. The best time to neuter your pet is at six to nine months old.

If your dog is already well past puberty or you're not willing to neuter him, the veterinarian may prescribe progestin to help alleviate dog marking. You can try to put a stop to it by correcting the behavior while you're out for walks with his leash and a chain-slip collar on. A quick pull-and-release on the leash and a firm and growling "no!" should help discourage him.

Since dogs are more likely to go back and mark again in the places they detect the scent, thoroughly wash any marked areas. There's no need to buy a fancy cleaner, though. A solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water should do the trick.

Although indoor Dog Marking is a normal behavior, it is bad doggie manners and should be eliminated as soon as possible.