Imagine being able to smell and see spots where dogs have marked their territory, even if they’re weeks or months old. Dogs have this incredible ability, but how can you tell if your dog can see these spots? And how can you teach your dog not to mark over other dog’s pee spots? In this ultimate guide, we will explore how dogs sense marked spots and provide tips on managing this behavior.
Signs Your Dog is Sniffing Another Marked Spot
If your dog keeps returning to a spot to lick, sniff, bite, or scratch, it’s possible they’ve encountered a spot marked by another dog’s urine. Another sign is when your dog tries to re-mark the spot another dog has claimed, even if it’s inside your home. Dogs can see the residue of urine that hasn’t been fully cleaned, which is on the UV wavelength. Expect your dog to pay extra attention to these spots and possibly mark them repeatedly.
Body Language
Your dog may exhibit various body language cues if they are sniffing out another dog’s marked spot, such as being alert, barking, howling, wagging their tail, sniffing, licking their lips, raising their tail, or excessive licking.
Other Signs
Additional signs that your dog has detected another dog’s marked spot include obsession with a specific area outside or inside the home, urinating or re-marking a spot, and excessive licking.
The History of Dogs Marking
Dogs mark their territory as a survival instinct inherited from their wild ancestors, such as wolves. Instead of using physical structures like humans do, dogs use urine to claim what belongs to them.
The Science Behind Dogs Seeing Pee Spots
Dogs can see urine markings from other animals because they can detect the residue left behind even after the puddle has been cleaned. Dogs can see in UV wavelengths, which allows them to see urine stains that are on the UV wavelength.
Training Your Dog to Stop Marking Other Dog’s Spots
To prevent your dog from marking inappropriately, remove all marking scents from your home. Use cleaning products without ammonia, as that can confuse your dog into thinking they’re smelling urine from another dog. Use a blacklight to ensure all odors are neutralized and spots are gone. Consider spaying or neutering your dog, as changes in marking behavior often occur after surgery. Be consistent with your dog, punish them appropriately when they mark in forbidden areas, and reward them when they don’t mark.
“In a dog’s world, marked spots are more than just smells – they’re visible signs of territorial boundaries.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Look for repetitive and excessive behavior: If your dog keeps returning to a specific spot to lick, sniff, bite, or scratch, it may indicate that they have detected another dog’s marked spot. Pay attention to these behaviors as they can be a dead giveaway.
2️⃣ Watch for body language cues: Your dog may exhibit certain body language cues such as alertness, barking, howling, tail wagging, sniffing, lip licking, tail up, or excessive licking when they are sniffing out another dog’s marked spot. These cues can help you identify if your dog has detected a marked spot.
3️⃣ Remove marking scents from your home and train your dog: To prevent your dog from marking over other dog’s pee spots, remove all the marking scents from your home. Use a cleaner without ammonia to avoid confusing your dog. Additionally, consider spaying or neutering your dog to help with this behavior. Consistent training, rewarding good behavior, and appropriately punishing marking in unwanted areas can also help train your dog to stop marking other dog’s spots.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. How can you tell if your dog is able to see the spots where another dog marked?
Repetitive and excessive behavior such as licking, sniffing, biting, or scratching a specific spot.
2. What are some signs that your dog has detected another dog’s marked spot?
Obsession with a specific area outside or inside the home, urinating or re-marking a spot, and excessive licking.
3. Why do dogs mark their territory with urine?
Dogs mark their territory with urine to claim and protect their territory, a behavior inherited from their wild ancestors.
4. How can dogs see pee spots that humans cannot?
Dogs can see the residue left behind from a puddle of pee on the floor, and they can see in UV wavelengths, which humans cannot. Urine stains are on the UV wavelength.
5. How can you train your dog to stop marking other dog’s spots?
Remove all marking scents from your home, use a blacklight to ensure all odors are neutralized, consider spaying or neutering your dog, and be consistent with rewarding and punishing your dog’s marking behavior.
