If you’ve ever watched your dog stop at every tree, mailbox, and fire hydrant during a walk, you’ve probably wondered: should I stop this? Is all this peeing normal? The short answer might surprise you – most of the time, it’s perfectly fine.
A client recently came to me frustrated because their dog was marking everywhere outside. They were trying to stop ALL marking behavior, thinking something was wrong. But here’s what I told them: marking is totally normal for dogs. It’s actually how they communicate with each other.
Think of it like dogs leaving sticky notes for other dogs: “I was here” or “This is my favorite spot.” It’s their version of social media – except instead of posting photos, they’re leaving scent messages that tell other dogs all kinds of information about who they are.
When it’s free play or sniff time outside, dogs can mark whatever they want. It’s their time to just be dogs. We don’t stop this behavior because they love it and – here’s the important part – it doesn’t hurt their training at all.
In your own backyard, the rules can be pretty relaxed too. If you’ve got one or two dogs who get along well, letting them mark during playtime is completely fine. Even if they’re marking over each other’s spots.
But marking isn’t always okay. There are clear times when it needs to stop:
Inside the house – This is never acceptable. Not in your home, not in anyone else’s home, not in any building. Inside marking is where you draw a hard line.
During training or focused walks – When you’ve asked your dog to heel or follow you, it’s work time. No marking allowed. They need to understand the difference between free time and focused time.
When there’s tension between dogs – If dogs don’t get along, marking can actually trigger fights. That’s why in our play groups, we don’t allow marking at all. With several dogs together, marking could create unnecessary competition or stress.
Here’s what I tell every dog owner: the key is being consistent with whatever rules YOU choose. Your backyard doesn’t need the same strict rules we use at our facility with dozens of dogs. But whatever you decide, stick with it.
During walks, you might allow marking for the first five minutes as “sniff time,” then expect focus for the rest of the walk. Or maybe you allow marking in certain areas but not others. The specific rules matter less than being consistent about enforcing them.
Sometimes marking can signal other issues. If you’re seeing any of these, it’s worth getting help:
What looks like a marking problem might actually be a medical issue, anxiety, or something else entirely. When in doubt, check with your vet first, then a trainer.
Don’t stress about stopping all marking – you’d be fighting against totally natural dog behavior. Instead, teach your dog when and where it’s appropriate. Let them be dogs during free time outside, but set clear boundaries for inside the house and during training time.
And here’s a fun fact that surprises most people: female dogs mark too! It’s not just a male thing, though males definitely win the gold medal for frequency.
Remember, every dog is different. What works for your neighbor’s dog might not work for yours. The goal isn’t to eliminate marking completely – it’s to manage it in a way that works for your life and keeps your dog happy and healthy.
Have questions about your dog’s specific marking behavior? Sometimes a quick conversation can clear up whether you’re dealing with normal marking or something that needs attention.
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