Dog Marking Codes - Territory Marking and Dog Scent Mixing

                                                                                         

Everyone has seen a male dog lift his leg to mark his territory. Such dog territory marking is dog instinctive behavior, but why? Most people are not aware of the significance behind or beyond that.

In wolf packs, only the Alpha male and Alpha female lift a leg to mark. All other members of the pack, regardless of sex, from Beta to Omega, must squat. That's why you see some males squat to urinate and some females lift their hind legs.

The urine contains messages to warn unwelcome visitors and members of other packs of the strength of the Alpha, his age, and how the pack is faring. Other markings such as gnawing on trees and rubbing ear wax into the ground are used as well. [Sometimes you might see your dog rub the side of his head on the ground. He's marking.]

Because predators are many in the wild, wolves sometimes roll in caribou droppings to disguise themselves. This helps them avoid detection by approaching enemies or predators. [The attraction of cat dung?]

For example, wolves are deemed mature and leave the pack in which they grew up when they are two years of age, searching for a mate and a permanent pack. When a two-year-old leaves a pack, the Alpha male of the new territory will sometimes roll in caribou droppings and follow essentially parallel to him for a while. The newcomer's scent sends messages such as, "I would be a contributor here," or "My best experience is as a young, good hunter." The disguised Alpha then evaluates those messages and determines if he will accept the newcomer. If he does, then the whole pack does.

Domestic dogs imitate these behaviors when they feel threatened. Excessive marking and rolling in dung are signs of insecurity. Territory marking builds the dog's confidence. Surely there’s a better way to build confidence, a way of correcting dog marking behaviors!

When wolves have been frightened in the wild, they run to the pack leader and each one licks his face and chin, they bite him lovingly under his chin, and the Alpha female commences the cleaning of his eyes. The pack members then lick and clean each other's faces and eyes. You see this behavior when two dogs have been put in the same environment and are coming to accept each other.

Next, the Alpha male wolf will generally release his glandular scent on the Beta (as he does not let anyone near his Alpha female). Then the Beta will rub himself against another member, and they spread the scent marking throughout the entire pack. This also stimulates the oil glands in their skin, so that their own personal scent is heightened and renewed, and their coats are kept excellent condition. Importantly, this daily ritual strengthens pack bonds of unity and serves as a reminder of the Alpha’s competence, thereby boosting confidence both individually and as a pack.

Sometimes they also release their scents from the glands at the top of their tails. That odor is NOT pleasant to human noses! You have probably smelled it when a dog is scared enough. It's unmistakable!

Many people try to cure such fear-based marking by their dogs through petting and pampering. Of course, that does not work!

If you are at home and your dog is scared, do NOT pet him. Instead, allow him to lick your chin and cheeks. This way, he will relax. This is an appropriate way of building his confidence, using his dog pack instincts to your and his advantage.

About the author:
GET HELP WITH DOG TERRITORY MARKING from Dog Obedience Trainer - Dog Behaviorist, Rena Murray. Growing up with the Horse Whisper, avid wolf pack studies, Pit Bull and other dog training, Rena solves "impossible" situations -e.g., teaching an old dog new tricks, solving dog dominance behavior and dog destructive behavior, even stopping a Doberman attack in mid-launch! Available for Consultations, Rena blends the best of the Dog Whisper and other techniques to each specific situation and will bring fresh insight to yours. See her BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog , find Expert Articles, and subscribe to Rena's FREE Newsletter at http://www.PawPersuasion.com .

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