How long does it take for a dog to stop marking after neutering

• potty training
• crate training
• marking

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Marking is not the same as a dog relieving itself – it is leaving small amounts of urine on items (trees, bushes, couch) to leave a“calling card” and to say “this is mine.” It seems natural for dogs, but is very annoying to humans. This often starts happening in adolescence as dogs mature. Female dogs can urine mark, although it is seen as a problem most commonly in male dogs. Urine marking is different than having accidents in the house. Typically, when a dog is marking it is a small amount of urine in several places. These places may be random, or they could be in a favorite spot. Dogs can mark for many reasons; the two most common are to show ownership on what they consider their territory and anxiety.

Below are some steps you can take to help get a stop a dog from marking.

Health Check

First, it is recommended that you bring your dog to your veterinarian to make sure there is nothing medically wrong.  Urinary tract infections and other medical conditions can mimic urine marking.

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Getting Altered

If your dog is not spayed or neutered and you are not planning breeding or showing in conformation, this is something to consider.  Altering or “fixing” pet dogs that are marking helps to eliminate the issue in 50 to 60 percent of dogs.

New Stuff

Dogs like to place their territorial stamp on new items, especially if they come from a place where there might have been another dog.  Try to remember to place new items off the floor and out of reach of your dog.

Outside Visitors

You may want to investigate the outside of your home.  Sometimes there may be other dogs in the area that come near your house and cause your dog to feel the need to mark in the home.

Close Supervision

To prevent your dog from marking in the house, make sure that they are not left unsupervised.  If you are unable to watch your dog, then they should be crate trained and safely placed into their dog crate so they cannot mark.  If you do catch them in the act of marking, you should make a loud noise to startle them and then take them outside and reward the correct behavior.  If you do not catch your dog in the act and find the accident later, then it is extremely important that you do not punish your dog. Your dog can’t connect what he marked an hour ago to your punishment, so it does not deter the marking and can make your dog afraid and confused.

Block Access

You can also take measures to help deter or block your dog from the area where they are drawn to marking. Try using baby gates or pet gates to block certain rooms, or double sided tape to keep them from certain parts of the room.

Deep Clean Up

If your dog does mark in the house, make sure you are using an appropriate cleaner to take the scent out.  Even though you might not be able to smell it, they will be able to and this will continue to draw them to that area.  We recommend an enzymatic pet stain remover to completely remove the stain and the smell.

Belly Bands

For both male and female dogs you can find either belly bands (for males) or dog diapers (for females). Remember that this is not a fix for the situation but more of a band aid.  If you choose to use one of these items to help with training, make sure you check them frequently for wetness.

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Let’s face it, dogs are territorial animals by nature. They like to protect their territory, their family, and their belongings. Territorial marking is different from urination because it is only a small amount to make other dogs aware that this is their territory. When people notice that their dog has been marking around the house, it is not usually done out of spite, but out of insecurity.

For a dog, this insecurity may be a sense that their area is under siege by another person or animal inside the house, or even outside in some cases. Territoriality is not always a bad thing, but it is definitely bad for your home, because it involves urination around things or places that “belong” to the dog; exposure to the scent later can also trigger re-marking. Here is what you need to know in order to prevent this behavior.

How to Prevent Territorial Marking

Spay or Neuter Your Dog

If you have not already done so, having your dog spayed or neutered can reduce incidences of territorial marking. It can also extend your dog’s life, improve other aspects of their health, and reduce the number of unwanted dogs. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered can and do still engage in marking behaviors from time to time, depending on other factors. According to a report from the Humane Society, spaying or neutering your pet may help reduce likelihood that they will mark their territory, but it does not completely stop it.

Allow Your Dog to Get Acquainted with Unfamiliar Faces

Sometimes your dog may start marking things around the house because someone new has been introduced into the household, whether it is a new roommate, pet, or even a frequent visitor. Chances are that the dog feels like this person or animal has entered their realm and it is marking to show them that they still have ownership over the territory. People are usually annoyed by this behavior, but other animals know what it means if a dog has marked their territory. The only way to resolve this issue is to allow your dog to get a true introduction to the new person or pet and allow them to spend some time to bond with them. Keep the new person or animal out of the dog’s area until the two have become more acquainted.

Establish Yourself As the Pack Leader

Dogs crave rules, boundaries and limitations. It is not a good idea to allow your dog to roam all over the house, sit on furniture, eat from the table, or engage in any other type of disruptive behavior. Although your dog is your companion, it is a follower in your pack, not a leader. You can reduce this type of behavior by asserting yourself as the pack leader by using calm, assertive energy. Make your dog earn food, water, and affection through exercise and discipline — exercise via two or more daily walks to drain her energy, and discipline through setting those rules, boundaries and limitations.

These types of issues are often exacerbated by a lack of training and discipline for your pet. If this seems to be a big problem, then you may want to consider an obedience class for your dog or speak to your veterinarian for some other solutions.

How long are your pack walks? Share it with us in the comments below.

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