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Marking

Beagle Territorial Marking

Overview

If your Beagle is consistently peeing in the house, you may be wondering if this is a case of not understanding housebreaking rules or if your dog is marking. And, most importantly, you want to know how to get it to stop.

Marking can be a challenging issue to contend with since it stems from deep canine instinct. However, the good news is that it can be resolved. This section will cover what marking is and the exact stops to stop a Beagle from marking.

The Difference Between Housebreaking Accidents and Territorial Marking

When a dog has a legitimate need to urinate, it is simply a biological function and the dog will empty their bladder.

If a dog has a good understanding of housebreaking rules and has access to the area meant for bathroom needs, the dog will empty their bladder there.

If a dog has a weak understanding of house training rules or understands them quite well but is not able to access the bathroom area, the bladder may be emptied inside the house.

If a Beagle is marking, however, it is not due to the biological need of emptying the bladder. Instead, it is done, primarily, to mark territory.

Some clues to distinguish marking from legitimate bathroom needs are:

The bladder is not emptied. You will rarely see a large puddle of pee. Instead, a small amount of urine will be sprayed out. Though, of course, over the period of a couple of days, this can create quite a mess and quite a smell.

Bowel movements are done outside; ‘accidents’ typically only include urination.

Vertical objects may be marked. This may include furniture such as table legs, coat racks, etc. The reason for this is that when dogs mark they may try to deposit the scent at the height of other dog’s noses.

Doorways may be the target of urine sprays, often done to mark a den’s (house’s) entry points to send a message to potential intruders.

In some instances, the entrance to an owner’s bedroom or even their bed may be marked. This can happen if a dog feels a need to protect their owner; their human’s area is sprayed to ward off possible trespassers.

Territorial marking is seen with both genders; however, males tend to mark more often than females.

If a female is marking, she may lift her leg similar to how males normally urinate. In addition, for those not spayed, marking may greatly increase during the heat cycle.

Dogs that are not spayed or neutered tend to mark much more often than those that are.

A Beagle that marks may display uncooperative behaviors such as not listening to commands.

Issues to Rule Out First

Even if your Beagle seems to meet some or all of the criteria for marking, there is a chance that something else is at play. The most common issues mistaken for territorial marking with dogs include:

1. Weak understanding of housebreaking rules. Successful house training is rarely quick; it takes effort, strict following of the rules, and teamwork. Reassess things to ensure that you’ve chosen one bathroom area, set your Beagle up for success indoors by having a gated off area or canine playpen lined with pee pads, bring your guy or gal out often, stay to supervise, and offer praise and training treats for a job well done.

2. Forgetting housebreaking rules. If you’ve already successfully house trained your Beagle and problems with urinating in the house began sometime after that, it may be due to a lack of reinforcing what was previously taught. Many dogs need reminders and motivation.

If so, back up a bit. Lead your Beagle to their designated bathroom area and stay to supervise. Use gates or a canine playpen to keep indoor accidents to once area. And, importantly, give your Beagle reason to use the designated bathroom area by offering training treats (more ahead).

3. Certain health issues. A number of ailments and conditions can cause loss of bladder control or frequent urination. This includes but is not limited to UTIs (14% of dogs will have at least one UTI in their lifetime), bladder infections or stones, kidney infections or stones, and canine diabetes.

4. Age-related incontinence. As dogs enter their late senior years, bladder muscles may weaken which can lead to housebreaking accidents. If so, certain medications can be given to help strengthen the urinary sphincter muscles. In addition, some seniors do best with belly bands or canine diapers.

Understanding Why a Beagle Marks

In order to stop a Beagle from marking, it’s helpful to understand why it’s done in the first place. Note that there may be more than one reason at play.

1. Canine instinct to mark territory.

Simply by nature, dogs tend to mark areas that they consider to be theirs in which other dogs also visit. It is often done to cover the scent of another’s urine to show dominance.

A dog’s outdoor territory typically extends past the yard to areas that they frequent, such as walking routes and dog parks. So, it’s quite normal for dogs to mark trees and other objects outside as a signal left in response to other dogs or as a message to other dogs.

And, of course, dogs understand that their house is their territory. If other dogs come to visit or if neighbor dogs are in close proximity, a Beagle may mark the house in response to that.

2. Improper understanding of hierarchy.

To add on to the previous point, certain circumstances can cause a Beagle to display territorial marking inside the house, even if no other dogs are in the area.

If so, this often boils down to the dog misunderstanding who is in charge. Canines see their world in this way: Within the den (house) lives the pack (family, both humans and animals) in which there is an Alpha (the leader) who is in charge of the Betas (everyone under the Alpha).

With proper hierarchy in place, a Beagle understands that his human(s) is the Alpha. The dog trusts that his human will protect all of those who reside in the den.

However, if a Beagle mistakenly believes that he himself (or herself) is the Alpha, or thinks that his human is a weak leader, the dog will often then take on the role of leader. Part of this is marking the territory to ward off potential intruders.

3. Competition with other pets/animals in the house.

In multi-pet homes, particularly if the pets are not spayed or neutered, there may be a battle for dominance among the animals (who is top dog?) that leads to frequent marking.

4. Sending signals for mating.

With unneutered males, there is an urge to mate if a female that is in heat is in the area. The problem is that males can detect females from up to 3 miles away. Therefore, a dog next door, down the street, or even one entirely out of view may be triggering your unfixed male to announce that he is there.

With unspayed females, territorial marking often begins right before and then during the heat cycle.

5. Anxiety.

Some dogs will mark when experiencing high levels of anxiety. Instances may include moving to a new home, having new furniture or changes to the layout of the home, having visitors, or having new household members (human or animal).

How to Stop a Beagle from Marking

Please note that these steps should be done after all possible health issues are ruled out and you are enforcing house training rules.

1. Have your Beagle spayed or neutered.

Several studies regarding behavior after spaying or neutering have shown that with 40% of dogs, marking was decreased by 90%. And with 60% of dogs, marking was decreased by 50%. When this is done in conjunction with other steps as seen ahead, you should see significant improvement.

This also greatly helps with other behaviors such as humping, running off, and not listening. In addition, spaying and neutering can significantly reduce the chance of some types of cancer.

2. Limit views of other dogs that may be walking past your home.

This may involve closing windows and blinds and/or moving your Beagle's normal resting area.

3. If you have more than one dog, help them establish who among them is ‘top dog’ so that the matter is settled.

Typically, it is the oldest dog and with a male and female, it is the male. You can show approval of this by having the Alpha dog be the first for everything, predominantly when food is offered. Other aspects include placing on harnesses, connecting leashes, offering toys, etc.

4. Use an enzyme cleanser for all areas that were marked.

This is a vital step to wiping the slate clean, pun intended. When urine is cleaned with soap and water, a dog may mark the area again to cover that scent. In addition, regular soap does not remove lingering urine odors that signal dogs to mark the spot repeatedly.

You’ll want to use an effective enzyme cleanser that will break down the particles in urine, leaving no trace behind. A good one for this is Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator. This works on all types of flooring, is safe for pets and children, and is guaranteed.

5. Do not allow your Beagle free reign.

Dogs that tend to mark should not be allowed to roam the house. This is just asking for trouble. Use gates or a canine playpen like the IRIS 8-Panel Pet Playpen with a Door to limit your Beagle’s access. This is where your Beagle should be when home alone and any time that you cannot closely supervise.

Within the area, place down pee pads or another indoor method like a grass patch. For this purpose, extra-large pads like the AKC's X-Large Training Pads can work well.

6. When you are supervising your Beagle, take this job seriously.

The goal will be to closely watch your dog and take immediate action if he/she tries to urinate inside.

1) As soon as you see your Beagle making a motion to pee, interrupt. For some dogs, a loud hand clap coupled with their name called out works well. But, for other dogs something a more effective method will need to be used.

A very helpful tool is the The Company of Animals Pet Corrector. This is a harm-free way of instantly gaining a dog’s attention. It lets out a hiss of air that causes dogs to take notice.

2) Once you’ve interrupted the action, immediately take your Beagle outside to the designated area.

And, importantly, if your Beagle finishes urinating outside, offer enthusiastic praise and offer a tasty training treat.

Note that the treats should be something that is only reserved to reward good behavior, small (as to not interfere with appetite), moist (works better than dry), and extra tasty to really drive home the point. If you’re looking for a good one, Wellness Soft Bites Natural Grain-Free Treats are fantastic. There are grain-free, 100% all natural, and are made in the US. They come in quite a few tasty flavors, including beef & turkey, lamb & salmon, chicken & lamb, and turkey & duck.

7. Instill proper hierarchy.

You may feel that you’re the leader, but if your Beagle has other ideas, territorial marking will not cease. Make it clear that you are a confident, strong leader by expecting a ‘sit’ any time that food is offered (both meals and snacks). It can also help to command a sit before entering and exiting the house with your Beagle so that you may proceed first (it is the Alpha’s right to do so).

Finally, do not allow your Beagle to take you for a walk (your dog is ahead, leading the way and you’re trailing behind). Rather, expect a heel with your guy or gal to your immediate left and keep your Beagle there via a short or retractable leash.

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