Male Dachshunds, along with all other dog breeds, urinate on things to mark it as their own.
While we find this territorial behavior to be repulsive, it’s normal for dogs.
However, it can be frustrating and embarrassing if your Dachshund is always marking everything, especially indoors.
Here we cover how to prevent and reduce marking, as well as when to seek professional assistance.
What Causes a Male Dog to Mark in the House?
Male dogs often pee indoors to mark their territory.
Marking isn’t necessarily a dominance issue, as it is a way for dogs to communicate with each other.
For example, you’ve probably seen a male Dachshund pee on a spot where a fellow canine urinated just seconds earlier.
This is common behavior, as the message received is said to be rather neutral.
Think of marking as a conversation between two dogs. “I smell that you were here, but I’m going to pee here so you know that I was here also!”
This is why marking can be lovingly referred to as “checking pee-mail.”
However, it’s not such a cute occurrence when you’re constantly cleaning up pee around your home, or when you visit others.
You may find neutered males don’t mark as much.
Neutered males are less likely to mark, and sometimes the surgery can completely eliminate the issue of urine marking.
Theses are some common reasons why your male Dachshund or other dog breeds may be marking inside the house:
- There’s been a drastic change in the home, such as a new baby or pet.
- Another dog was recently visiting your home, and may or may not have marked their territory.
- You moved to a new place.
There is a distinct difference between marking and having accidents in the house. It’s important to make that distinction in order to properly correct the behavior.
The difference between marking and accidents
Are you noticing puddles of pee in random places around your home? Or maybe they are sequestered to a certain spot in the house.
Tn these cases, your Dachshund is likely having potty accidents, rather than marking their territory.
Urine marking generally won’t leave massive puddles of pee on the floor, or intended target.
Also, marking is typically aimed at an object or particular area that another dog has been.
If you see big puddles of urine, your dog may need further potty training.
Larger puddles of urine by the door, in the middle of the carpet or in other open spaces could indicate your Dachshund needs more potty training.
It’s always okay to go back to basic training with your dog (click here for the best tips).
Dachshunds can be a challenge to potty train, so don’t be surprised if you need to revisit this idea.
How to Stop a Male Dog From Marking Inside the House
There are a few different approaches to take when teaching your Dachshund not to mark indoors.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs). As an affiliate, this blog earns a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Neutering
Neutering a Dachshund before they learn territorial behavior can be extremely helpful in avoiding urine marking altogether.
Puppies neutered around or before six months old are much less likely to mark (however, recent studies show that neutering a dog before 6 months can hinder their development and be hazardous to their health, including an increased risk of IVDD).
In older males that have already learned to mark, neutering can help but doesn’t always so don’t count on it to fix your Dachshund’s marking habit.
Keep in mind that neutering at any age rarely eliminates marking completely though.
Dachshunds will still inherently mark outdoors when there’s an exciting scent to investigate.
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Odor control
When a dog marks an area, they leave behind an extremely strong scent for the next dog who comes across the path.
This means that when your Dachshund lifts his leg to pee on the couch, that scent is going to remain there unless thoroughly cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner.
Unless the previous dog’s scent is completely removed from the marked spot, it’s simply an open invitation for the next pup to pee on it.
Two of the best enzymatic cleaners for pet urine and associated odors are Nature’s Miracle Advanced Formula and Biokleen Bac-Out (this one smells like lime).
Belly bands
It can be a daunting task to keep male Dachshunds from marking if you have more than one in your home.
In this case, you may consider trying belly bands while you work on training and correcting the behavior otherwise.
Belly bands can be an effective preventative method for dogs who mark.
A great option is these washable belly band diapers that you can easily throw in the washing machine.
Conversely, you can opt for disposable male wrap diapers.
Belly bands, also known as male diapers or male wraps, are a terrific solution for senior dogs, or those who are still training.
Create a new routine
Having a potty routine in place can help reduce your Dachshund’s marking indoors.
If you consistently take your pup outside to do their business, and reward the behavior outdoors, you’ll create a new routine.
Maintaining a schedule for your Dachshund to potty can help them learn to pee at those specific times.
This may mean that you’re taking your dog out several times a day, but it takes work to be successful.
Eliminate the ability to mark on furniture
Dachshunds who mark will often pee on corners of furniture, area rugs, or floor-length curtains.
If you change, reduce or eliminate these items, it may help how much your dog is marking indoors.
Removing rugs or furniture can help reduce the the marking behavior.
You can also try spraying these spots with a bitter citrus scent in an attempt to keep your Dachshund completely clear of the area.
Additional tips to stop a male dog from marking
In addition to the recommendations listed above, you can also try these suggestions to get urine-marking under control:
- Tether your dog to you in the house as part of training. This is a very temporary training concept.
- Watch your Dachshund indoors for signs that they are about to urinate, then take them outside to finish their business without yelling or scolding.
- Resolve any conflicts that multiple pets in your home may have.
- Confine your dog to a crate or pen when you cannot watch them inside.
When you come across urine, whether it’s due to marking or an accident, do not rub your Dachshund’s nose in it. This is ineffective, and your dog will not understand and it will likely create anxiety.
Seek professional help
If you’ve tried the above solutions and you’re still at a loss, it’s okay. It can be frustrating, and that’s why professionals are there to help!
It can be especially difficult to correct urine marking, especially if there are multiple male pets in the home.
Canine behaviorists can assist you in coming up with a specific plan for your pup, and your needs.
On another note, if your Dachshund is a senior, we recommend seeing your veterinarian to eliminate potential health issues that are causing bladder leakage or accidents.
In fact, it’s never a bad idea to ask for your vet’s opinion, no matter how old your dog is!
Also, never urinate on your dog to “establish dominance.” This theory is completely false, and you should never urinate on an animal. There is zero training value whatsoever.
Final Thoughts
Getting your Dachshund to stop marking in the house is a relatable struggle that so many dog parents can empathize with.
Eliminating marking is a challenging task, but it can be done with dedication and patience.
Use whatever tools you need – belly bands, treats, odor eliminator – to reduce the behavior, but don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Professionals are there to assist, and to help make your home a cleaner, fresh-smelling place.
About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.
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