How to Stop Your Dog’s Marking Inside

When a new dog moves into your home, it is not at all uncommon for them to feel the need to “raise the yellow flag” and claim their new territory as their own by marking it with some urine. Since many newly adopted dogs are already housebroken, this may just be a one-time incident — but it could be a recurring problem.

Knowing how to stop a dog from marking inside can be tricky. Luckily, there are a few simple “tricks” you can try to put a stop to that leg lifting or squatting. Read on for five tips about how to stop a dog from marking inside your home.

TL;DR: Your dog might be marking because of hormones, as a form of social communication, or they could be letting you know how they feel about that new couch (household changes are a huge trigger for urine marking). There are reliable ways to stop a dog from marking.

Why is my dog marking in the house?

The first step to help stop your dog from marking in the house is to determine why they are doing it. Start a log and note the times and locations of your dog’s marking habits. Is your dog marking in one spot or multiple spots? Do they mark only when alone or in front of you? Did they suddenly begin marking in the house when they previously weren’t? 

Make a record so you can better assess the root cause. This also gives you a starting point when you reach out to your vet. Here are some possible reasons why dogs mark in the house:

• Hormones: Studies show that unneutered or unspayed dogs are more prone to mark their territory, but neutering can reduce these marking behaviors by up to 72 percent.

• Stress or anxiety: Dogs thrive on structure, so changes in their routine, being left alone, or feeling insecure can trigger marking.

• Communication: Dogs use urine to say “this is mine” or “I was here,” especially if they sense other animals.

• Environmental changes: Moving the couch, bringing home new furniture, or shifting around the room can spark marking in some dogs.

• New additions: Another pet in the house (dog, cat, or even a visiting animal) can make them feel the need to mark. It’s not always aggression — it’s often just them making sure their presence is noted in a suddenly busier household.

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Medical reasons for indoor marking

Sometimes, indoor marking can’t be solved through training at all — it may be a medical issue. So if your dog suddenly starts marking, it’s best to check in with your vet right away.

Bladder or urinary infections can be painful and cause a dog to urinate urgently and frequently. Make a vet appointment ASAP to rule out this cause. 

If your pup isn’t neutered, this is another reason to consider doing so. Spay/neuter surgery will often eliminate hormonally driven marking, but it does take time for hormone levels to subside enough to make a difference.  And if your dog was just neutered, go back to house training 101 and start the house training process again to get yourself back on track.

Train your dog to stop marking

Even a dog who was fully housetrained in their prior home or foster home will need time to adjust to your schedule, including learning when and where to go to the bathroom in a brand-new environment.

Take Max. The first week the adult rescue dog was with his new parents, he didn’t have a single accident inside their home. But then he started peeing in their studio — the same room where he slept, ate, and stayed when he was home alone. But it also happened to be the spot where their last dog had accidents when she was sick. Even though Max was never left alone for more than two hours at a time outside of bedtime, and even though he was walked and played with regularly, he kept peeing inside. Sometimes, even immediately after he’d just been out. A frustrating experience for any pet parent.

But the key to stopping your dog from marking is prevention and supervision. And in Max’s case, two hours was too long. So if you’re not directly watching your pup, temporarily crate them or keep them gated off from the spots they were marking. At the beginning of your training, give your dog as many potty breaks as possible — don’t wait for obvious signs they’re about to mark. Just take them out often, on a schedule every 20 minutes or so. Reward them with high-quality treats and over-the-top praise every time they go outside.

In between trips outside, look for signs that your dog is getting ready to mark (sniffing around, lifting their leg, circling around, etc.) and interrupt them before they mark.

Step-by-step guide to stop a dog from marking

It may take some time for your dog to figure out what you’re after and that you want them to stop marking inside, but they will get there. For some dogs, training may be relatively quick and they may figure it out in a week or so, but other dogs may need strict supervision for longer. But that consistency and the big reward they get when they go outside will eventually motivate them. Here’s a quick guide.

1. If your dog is about to mark, interrupt them gently with a short but abrupt sound (Aarp!)

2. Quickly take them outside

3. Reward them with treats and praise if they pee. Skip the kibble or other low-value treat; instead, offer them something high-value, such as chicken or another low-calorie but highly smelly treat.

4. If after a few minutes they don’t pee, bring them back inside. Again, no punishments.

5. Repeat.

Clean up accidents with enzymatic cleaners

If you don’t completely get rid of the pee smell, your pup might keep marking their territory in the same spot. 

• Soak the area with a pet urine enzyme cleaner and let it fully dry. 

• If your home is humid or has wall-to-wall carpeting or upholstery, you can use a hair dryer to speed up the process after one day. 

• Do not allow your dog access to that area while it is drying. 

• If there is a removable carpet in that area (doormats are popular pee spots), put it outside.

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What if my dog is marking a single spot?

If your dog is marking in one spot repeatedly, put your dog’s crate or bed on top of that “marking spot” or try to block the spot as much as possible. Some dogs will mark on their crate but not their bed. If the bed or crate stops your dog from marking, keep it in that spot for at least two weeks. 

That’s exactly what Max’s parent did. They cleaned the studio floor with an enzymatic cleaner (non-negotiable to eliminate the smell) and put Max’s bed on top of the spot to stop him from marking there.

But if the bed or crate doesn’t work, you can try their food and water bowls; just remember to leave them there for two weeks.

What if these techniques don’t help?

Training a dog — especially a puppy — can be overwhelming and takes some time, but many behavior issues have relatively simple solutions, and the advice of a good book, trainer, behaviorist, or veterinarian could help. Figuring out how to stop a dog from marking inside may take some time and patience, but it will be well worth it when you start to see results. Here are a few things you can consider.

• Consider if there are other issues: Issues like marking can be exacerbated by a lack of training and discipline; pets need guidance to help them navigate the human world. Lack of training is the number one reason dogs end up in shelters. 

• Get help from a professional trainer: You could also try a local trainer who uses positive, humane training methods. Choose from a variety of training methods ranging from group classes to private, in-home lessons to board-and-train.

What if you’ve exhausted all these resources and still cannot get to the root of the problem? While we always want to find ways for you to work through behavior and training issues and keep your pet, but if you are struggling and have started thinking about rehoming your pet, consider Rehome by Adopt a Pet. It’s a peer-to-peer adoption service that allows pet parents to post their pets on Adopt a Pet to be seen by millions of potential adopters.

Commonly asked questions

How do I stop my male dog from peeing on everything inside?

To stop your male dog from peeing on everything, start by assessing his marking behavior and noting any patterns. Treat your dog as though he has not been house-trained and begin house-training him to redirect where you do want him to pee. Consider consulting a veterinarian to rule out medical conditions.

Should I punish my dog for marking in the house?

No, never punish your dog for marking in the house. In fact, punishment might exacerbate the marking. Positive reinforcement is a more effective training method than punishment or coercion.

Are belly bands useful?

Belly bands can be a useful training tool, but they do not address the root causes of why your dog is marking. They should not be a replacement for properly house training your dog. When in doubt, consult a trainer to see if a belly band can be a useful tool for your dog. The idea behind belly bands is that dogs are less likely to mark when they feel wetness against them.

What is a belly band? 

Belly bands are a cloth wrap, kind of like a diaper, that goes around the waist of a male dog to discourage them from peeing in inappropriate places.

Are belly bands humane?

 There is some debate over whether or not belly bands are humane; when used correctly and for short periods of time, belly bands are not cruel. Belly bands should be a temporary measure used in conjunction with training and only while supervised.

Can a dog wear a belly band all day? 

Belly bands should not be worn constantly; they should be changed every three to four hours or as soon as your dog soils them to avoid irritation. They also should not be worn when pet parents aren’t around to supervise so they don’t get caught on furniture or otherwise cause your dog harm.

References

Heath, Sarah. “A Commonsense Approach to The House-Soiling Dog.” Veterinary Nursing Journal, vol. 13, no. 6, Nov. 1998, pp. 204–205, https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.1998.11012982. Accessed 2 Nov. 2020.

‌Macdonald, David. “Patterns of Scent Marking with Urine and Faeces amongst Carnivore Communities.” Symp. Zoo/. Soc. Land, no. 45, 1980, pp. 107–139, www.originalwisdom.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2019/03/MacDonald_1980_PatternsOfScentMarkingWithUrineAndFecesAmongstCarnivoreCommunities.pdf.

‌“Dog Language - an Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior.” Dogwise, 2025, www.dogwise.com/dog-language-an-encyclopedia-of-canine-behavior/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.