Why do dogs lift their leg when they pee? That old trope of dogs peeing on fire hydrants isn’t just something that happens in cartoons. Why do some dogs lift their legs when they pee? For dogs (and many animals), urinating serves two purposes: it empties the bladder AND serves as a way for the animal to mark his or her territory to other animals. By lifting their leg to pee, a male can spread more urine on a vertical surface and, possibly get the urine in places that other, smaller dogs can’t, thus, winning the battle of “who owns what.” It’s also easier for a male dog to get his urine more at a nose-level, to announce to other dogs that he’s been there first.
At What Age Do Dogs Start Leg Lifting?
Sexual maturity seems to be the point when most male dogs begin hiking their leg when peeing. For smaller dogs, sexual maturity can come earlier than with larger dogs. Also, if a male dog is neutered before he reaches maturity, he may never develop the habit of lifting his leg to urinate. However, a dog who has been neutered later in life might still retain that habit.
Not Just the Boys
Interestingly enough, it’s not just male dogs who can lift their legs to pee. Female dogs can do it too. For males, given the “equipment” that they have to work with, it’s easier for them to aim their urine when peeing, but that doesn’t stop female dogs from marking their territory in the same manner. Research has shown that when a female dog is farther from home and exploring territory that she’s never experienced, she is more likely to pee more frequently and attempt to aim her pee in certain places to mark her area.
Should You Dissuade This Behavior?
Unless your dog is lifting his leg and peeing on things in the house, there’s really no other reason to try and stop him from doing this. It’s very natural and allows him to communicate and engage with the other animals in his community. So, invest in a fire hydrant for your yard and let him go wild!
Want to learn more about why your dog is the way that he is? Check out these other posts:
Why Does Your Dog Tilt Her Head?
How Much Water a Day Does Your Dog Need?
How Often Should You Wash Your Dog’s Bed?
Author: Jenny Jurica
Jenny is a married mother of two humans, one rescued Weimaraner, and four (yes, four) rescued cats. She is a native Texan who is a columnist/contributor for several publications and enjoys spending her free time curled up on the couch with a dog and a couple of cats. Much like the poet Sylvia Plath, Jenny often finds that she, “likes people too much or not at all,” but has never met an animal that she didn’t instantly adore (except for maybe the Komodo dragon at the zoo).
