Honestly, why do dogs lift up their leg to pee and at what age do they start doing that?

Question

My boxer pup....9 months old... just did that today and I am thrilled to see my boy grow up, so just wanted to know more about it.

Answer 1

Not all breeds do it. And you can train a dog not to do it. Yes, people do that. Leg lifting starts around the age of 6 months and up just depends on breed.

Unlike humans not getting wet is not the only reason why dogs lift their legs, dogs essentially do this to leave a message to their peers. Evidently, this also has to do with establishing boundaries, but its main purpose is to warn the rest of dogs – "Hey dudes, don't even think about coming near or invading my territory, this is my hood. You understand?" Dogs as men have to be on the move and visit the trendiest places. They have to be cool, that is, cooler than their peers, so they try to pee higher than the last one who marked the place, like in a contest, exhibiting amazing abilities to do so.

Answer 2

Dogs lifting their legs is a dominant gesture to mark territory. Lifting their leg allows for the urine to be at nose-level of another dog that may traipse onto their territory. Some male dogs never do this because they are submissive. In wolf pack society, only the alpha male and alpha females may lift their leg to scent mark. Everyone else, including males, must squat.
Dogs aren't sissies if they don't lift their leg, the just know very well who their master is.

Answer 3

Male dogs lift their leg to pee so that they can get the pee as high as they can. The reason they do this is because that is where other dogs have their noses. I don't know the age they usually begin doing this.

Answer 4

It's a learned behavior-if he was raised around females he wouldn't lift his leg at all. But, take him to the dog park where he can watch the boys, a viola, a leg lifter.

I've had females who lifted their legs to pee as well-it's a bit of a dominance thing. And, since we are sharing, I have a neutered male who lifts his leg to do number two....every time. Now THAT's weird.

Answer 5

Some dogs don't pee that way..like my dog. He is a year old and pees by spreading his legs and pushing his chest up. It's cute. Peeing like that is a learned behavior. My dog was never around other male dogs. Also, they learn to do it if they are not neutered because they want to mark their territory. I know what you mean about seeing your boy grown up - the first time my dog did it I was proud of him...but I took him to get netuered right away and he stopped. I am always happy to see a dominant male dog peeing by squatting because I know their owner is being responsible by getting them neutered.

Answer 6

Some boy dogs never lift their leg to pee. My 9 year old 105 pound German Shepherd/Lab mix has never done it. I would guess when they do, it's so they can mark their territory more easily. Congratulations on your grown up pup!!

Answer 7

My dog doesn't lift his leg but I had him made into an it at about 6 months of age and he never developed the desire to lift his leg to pee.

Answer 8

I think it's a marking thing, if they lift the leg they get higher up the tree and spread out the scent more.... I had a male dog who didn't lift his leg for a long time. He had to see another male do it first then he did it every time!

Answer 9

When depends on the individual dog. Some need visual aids before they start.
Why? Because it spreads the scent over a larger area, and puts it an "nose level" for ease of sniffing.
Cheers.

Answer 10

Well as far I see they do it right from birth, or maybe not. But the reason they do so is simple as otherwise they would leave pee all over their legs.
Remeber unlike humans they cant just wipe it off.