There are many reasons why pets mark their territory. Some do it when their owners introduce new objects in their living space, which leads the dog to mark both its territory and any new objects in it by urinating on them. It is therefore not uncommon for pets to mark car tyres in their owner’s backyard or objects that belong to visitors and even the visitors themselves. It is believed that pets have a strong urge to mark their territory when they feel insecure, or when their surroundings are complex. The latter includes homes with multiple pets or spaces where other pets enter or pass through, where owners change and often bring new items with new smells, when a baby is brought into the home, etc. 

When dealing with this issue, the first thing you should do is figure out whether your pet is marking its territory or just feeling an urge to urinate more. The latter is probably the cause of the issue if the amount of urine is substantial. If this is the case, your pet needs to see a veterinarian who will perform an examination to determine its health status. 

Any form of punishment should be avoided, and “positive” pet response should be rewarded.

If, however, it is only a case of a dog marking its territory, the starting point is observing your pet inside the home throughout the day. It needs to be “caught in the act” and stopped mid-act with a loud command. In doing so, any form of punishment should be avoided, and every “positive” response from the pet should be rewarded with a treat. 

In addition, your pet should have a designated place where it can relieve itself. The spot where the dog has already urinated should be thoroughly cleaned to eliminate the smell of urine, which can serve as a “trigger” for further urination in the home. Owners facing this issue can also seek help from specialised associations and experts who train dogs and educate owners on raising pets and controlling their behaviour. They can help you by correcting various types of behavioural disorders and giving you guidance on how to prevent and eliminate unwanted behaviour of your pet in the future.