Many animals of the wild use spraying to mark the territory viewed as being under their control. Heavily scented fluids are often used, such as urine, to define the area controlled and other predators as well as prey have some kind of warning off. Dogs also have this instinct, depending on the breed it is more or less difficult to teach the dog to abstain from such behavior, which may recur depending on the circumstances.
When the dog is brought in to new living quarters, the first thing that the dog will attempt is to examine the area and to mark the territory viewed as controlled and belonging to the pack. This is a natural instinct and needs to be addressed by the leader of the pack, usually the owner of the animal.
Many people make the mistake to grab the dog by the collar and stuff its nose in the markings after the markings were made. Unfortunately, this will not explain to the dog that the deed of marking the territory is viewed as undesirable and prohibited. To teach a dog to abstain from marking the territory may prove to be difficult, especially if the dog is kept in the yard and living in a dog house. The inside of the house or the apartment can be declared off limits, but to teach a dog to stop doing anything, the owner needs to catch it in the act.
Dogs do not comprehend that something they did a while ago, even if it was only seconds, can be of any relevance or bad once they’ve done it. They will not understand that you don’t want them to mark the territory, if you show them the markings or rub their nose in it. Only if you catch them do it and prohibit them from doing it, they will understand that it is not permitted, and it still may take a while for that to sink in.
The information which is forwarded to other similarly smell sensible creatures are manifold. From the already mentioned “this is my pod” marking, over the time when the dog was last around that spot, to the assurance of insecure dogs that the territory is undisturbed and even sexual heat with female canines, all the information is passed with that one lift of the leg.
Do not confuse housebreaking your dog with this natural instinct of marking the territory. These are two separate issues which needs to be addressed separately, and the dog needs to be taught in different sessions in regards to these actions.

Filed under: Dogs

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