How to Stop a Dog from Marking in the House
Marking means your pup is communicating territorial ownership and sexual maturity. Being that dogs are social animals with a hierarchy in the wild, your dog may assume that it’s pack leader if roles aren’t clearly defined.
To correct marking behaviors:
1. Be the alpha. In the wild, only the pack leader lifts his leg to mark the territory. So if you suspect your dog believes he’s the alpha, reevaluate your relationship. Be the one he takes cues from. Don’t let him sleep with you or be on the same eye-level with you. Keep your head high. Remember that while your dog is your companion, he’s not your master.
2. Be vigilant. Like housebreaking, catching your dog red-handed and curtailing the behavior is the best way to stop marking. As soon as he lifts his leg, firmly say, “NO” and/or create a sharp, rattling noise to alarm him. Never, ever physically punish your dog for marking. Doing so won’t stop bad behavior.
3. Remove urine scents and interesting objects. Dogs repeatedly mark what is theirs. By erasing pee scents with an enzyme deodorizer, Fido won’t reclaim ownership. Use scents dogs dislike too. Citrus and spicy smells work well. Keep your new belongings hidden.
4. Neutering. Hormones trigger the urge. If you neuter your dog before he reaches sexual maturity, he won’t need to start.
5. Seek veterinarian assistance. If all else fails or your neutered older dog starts marking or won’t stop, consider anxiety and medical issues like bladder infection.
Steps To Stop A Dog From Stealing Food Off Counter
Most dog owners have experienced this moment. They turn their back for a few seconds or leave the room and their food has disappeared off the counter! Typically, the four-legged friend is the one to blame. Luckily, there are easy steps to stop a dog from stealing food off the counter.
Step 1: Don’t leave food unattended on the counter. This may seem obvious but what a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s in dogs nature to grab food that they see. They are used to scavenging for food so by eliminating food, you eliminate the problem.
Step 2: When cooking or having food out in the kitchen, move the dog to a different room or outside. It’s only temporary but soon a dog will learn that when someone is cooking in the kitchen, they need to stay away. Baby gates are great to keep dogs out of unwanted rooms when food is involved.
Step 3: Training is a great way to stop a dog from snatching food off the counter. When food is present, a dog owner should teach their dog a new trick such as “go lay down” or “go to your mat.” A dog will then do that instead of trying to sneak food.
Step 4: Finally, punishment is always an option but it’s also one that has disadvantages. Sometimes dogs won’t understand and they’ll think the room is the source of the problem and avoid it all together. They can also become fearful of the owner. If a person knows how to properly punish their pet, then this as seen as a good step.