Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking

This guide covers dogs that urine-mark inside: how marking differs from ordinary accidents, where to look for marks, cleaning the spots so they do not draw your dog back, making marked areas less inviting, supervision and triggers, and when to get help. It uses what the American Kennel Club (AKC), Humane World for Animals and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) say.

Marking is not the same as an accident

The AKC article "Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking" says:

"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."

It adds: "Dogs can mark for many reasons; the two most common are to show ownership on what they consider their territory and anxiety".

Humane World for Animals separates marking from submissive and excitement urination: "If your dog does not display any of these symptoms, they may be urinating to mark their territory." If you have a young dog that is still learning, see Puppy Accidents: Cleanup Steps That Stop Repeat Spots.

Sources: AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

Where to look

The AKC says: "Dogs like to place their territorial stamp on new items, especially if they come from a place where there might have been another dog." Humane World for Animals names "guests' belongings and new purchases" as objects likely to cause marking.

Check new things, items that came in from outside, and doorways and corners your dog passes often. On finding dried spots, Humane World for Animals says:

"In some cases, old messes will have dried invisibly and be hard to locate."

"Use your nose to sniff out soiled areas. Examine the suspect area closely to catch hard-to-find soiling. If you have a black light, use it to identify soiled areas and lightly outline the areas with chalk."

For a room by room search, see Why Does My House Smell Like Dog Pee? Finding the Source.

Sources: AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; Humane World for Animals, How to Remove Pet Stains and Odors.

Cleaning furniture legs, walls, doors and fabric

Check the floor or carpet under a marked leg, wall or door as well, and clean both. For the material itself, use the guide that matches it:

Couch bases, cushions and upholstered furniture: How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of a Couch.
Rugs under a marked table leg or doorway: How to Get Dog Pee Out of an Area Rug.
Curtains and other washable fabric: follow the care label.

On painted and wooden surfaces, Humane World for Animals says:

"If the wood on your furniture, walls, baseboard or floor is discolored, the varnish or paint has reacted to the acid in the urine. You may need to remove and replace the layer of varnish or paint."

Whatever cleaner you use, the CRI says "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet." On carpet it adds: "Blot; don't scrub."

See our guides to how to clean dog pee off baseboards and walls and how to clean pet urine from wood furniture legs and cabinets.

Sources: Humane World for Animals, How to Remove Pet Stains and Odors; CRI, Cleaning and Maintenance.

Remove the odor, not just the stain

The AKC's marking article says:

"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."

Humane World for Animals says to "Clean soiled areas thoroughly with a cleaner specifically designed to eliminate urine odor." and warns: "Strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area." The AKC's urine cleanup guide answers "Will my dog keep peeing in the same spot?" with: "Yes, if odor remains. Thorough cleaning is essential to remove scent markers and discourage repeat behavior."

More on why spots draw dogs back: Why Do Dogs and Cats Keep Peeing in the Same Spot? If the smell returns after you clean, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do.

Sources: AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; Humane World for Animals, How to Remove Pet Stains and Odors; AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells.

Make marked spots unattractive or out of reach

Humane World for Animals says:

"Make previously soiled areas inaccessible or unattractive. If this isn't possible, try to change the significance of those areas to your pet. Feed, treat and play with your pet in the areas where they mark."

"Items such as guests' belongings and new purchases should be placed in a closet or cabinet."

The AKC says: "Try using baby gates or pet gates to block certain rooms, or double sided tape to keep them from certain parts of the room." and "Try to remember to place new items off the floor and out of reach of your dog."

Sources: Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking.

Triggers and supervision

The AKC's "How to Stop a Dog from Marking" says: "If marking just recently started, evaluate if something new in the house or neighborhood might have triggered this". Its marking article adds: "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."

On new people, Humane World for Animals says: "If your pet is marking in response to a new resident in your home (such as a roommate or spouse), have the new resident make friends with your pet by feeding and playing with your pet." On supervision:

"Watch your dog when they are indoors for signs that they are thinking about urinating and calmly take them outside."

The AKC says: "When you cannot watch him, he should be in an enclosed area" and "You can also can use a leash which you tie around your waist or snap to your belt so you keep him near you."

On spaying and neutering, Humane World for Animals says: "Spaying or neutering your dog should reduce urine-marking and may stop it altogether. But if they have been marking for a long time, a pattern may already be established."

Sources: AKC, How to Stop a Dog from Marking; AKC, Curbing the Issue of Dog Marking; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

Do not punish found marks

The AKC says: "Don't ever punish your dog if you find marked spots after the fact. The dog can't connect what he marked an hour ago to your punishment. Just clean it up and do a better job of watching him next time." Humane World for Animals says: "Punishment only increases their anxiety and may cause them to hide when they need to go to the bathroom".

Sources: AKC, How to Stop a Dog from Marking; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

When to get help

Humane World for Animals says: "Before doing anything else, take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the behavior." For the behavior itself, it says: "Consult an animal behaviorist for help with resolving the marking issues."

Source: Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more.", "No scrubbing necessary" and "Odor-Free & Residue-Free". Test it on a hidden spot first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Still hunting for spots? The full kit includes a black light.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.