My Pet World: Understanding marking behavior in anxious dogs

Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on May 13, 2026

Dear Cathy,

Five years ago, we adopted a four-year-old Dachshund mix who was so afraid of everything we renamed her Skitter. She came from a hoarding situation.

What puzzles us most is that she is a “marker.” She has a set area around our house where we walk her – a few houses one way and a few the other – and that is her boundary. She does not want to go farther down the block. She sniffs and squats, sometimes six or seven times during a 20-minute walk. She will walk further away when we walk her farther from home.

She also has zero interest in playing or socializing with other dogs. At dog parks, she freezes up and does not interact. Two years ago, we adopted a second rescue, thinking Skitter would benefit from having a playmate. Nope. While Pudge would love to play, she does not want to – or know how to. They do not fight, but we wish they could be buddies. Any ideas?

– Don and Karen, Elmhurst, Illinois

Dear Don and Karen,

What looks puzzling on the surface often makes more sense when you consider how limited – and sometimes overwhelming – her early experiences likely were. Dogs who are anxious or unsure often use sniffing and marking to gather information and feel more in control. Since she is marking so frequently on walks near home, she is likely relying on scent to make sense of her surroundings. It is her way of saying, “I know this area, and I feel secure here.” When she is farther from home, she is more relaxed and doesn’t feel the same need to monitor her surroundings. It is less about establishing territory, and more about security, which is not uncommon for sensitive dogs.

As for her lack of interest in playing or socializing with other dogs, you are reading her correctly. Not every dog wants, or needs, that kind of interaction. Dogs who missed early socialization often don’t have the skills or desire to engage in play, and forcing those interactions (like at dog parks) can actually increase stress rather than build confidence. The fact that she coexists peacefully with Pudge is a success, even if it doesn’t look like friendship in the way you might hope.

Focus on helping her feel more comfortable in small, predictable ways. Continue those walks but let her set the pace. If you would like to expand her comfort zone, do it gradually, just a few steps beyond her usual boundary, paired with calm encouragement or a high-value treat, then back again. Think of it as building confidence in inches, not blocks.

You might also consider adding enrichment at home. Snuffle mats, food puzzles, or simple scent games allow her to use her strongest skill (her nose) in a low-pressure way.

Skitter may never be a social butterfly, and that’s OK. She’s already showing you who she is: a thoughtful, cautious dog who has learned to feel safe with you — first. That’s no small thing. Meeting her where she is, and appreciating the progress she has made will continue to help her feel secure in her world.

Dear Cathy,

I am thinking of moving into a senior living facility. I have one cat and two litter boxes in the basement. What suggestions do you have for living in an apartment where the litter box will be in my living space? I don’t want dust floating around or litter kicked out onto the floor. I have tried a covered litter box, but she is not interested. I currently use large plastic storage boxes with low sides and lightweight clumping litter. If I get an apartment with two bathrooms, I could use the extra bath for a box, but I’m not sure I can afford that long term.

– Linda, Lincoln, Nebraska

Dear Linda,

Start by switching from lightweight litter, which tends to be dusty, to a low-dust option such as paper, wood, grass pellets, or a crystal/silica litter. Heavier clay litters can also reduce dust compared to lightweight versions. Mix the new litter with your current one and transition gradually.

Since your cat doesn’t like a covered box, you might try placing the litter box inside litter box furniture. Many cats prefer these more open designs, which help contain scatter without feeling so enclosed.

Adding a large litter mat outside the box will help catch litter from her paws, and placing the box in a quiet corner can help keep it more contained within your living space. You might also consider placing an air purifier nearby to reduce dust.

Begin making these changes now, she won’t associate them with the move.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)