So Lucky is almost two years old and has never lifted his leg to pee. He's a squatter. We spent the last two weeks in the city and to our amazement (and his obvious pride), Lucky started lifting his leg at hydrants, lamp posts, sides of walls. Sometimes he'd pee, sometimes clearly not; sometimes he'd lift his leg so high he almost fell over and each time he'd look up at us with a "Pretty neat, huh?" kind of pride. I figured he'd reached a developmental plateau. But here we are in the woods again and he hasn't lifted his leg once. What's with this? Was he just showing off or doing the 'when in Rome" thing or what? Would love your thought/expertise. Thanks

It's the difference between "marking" (pee-mail) and peeing to relieve a full bladder. Kodi didn't mark until WELL past his second birthday, and if he needs to PEE, he still doesn't. (he doesn't squat, though, he has always stood like a little horse!) If he's allowed to sniff vertical surfaces where other dogs have been, he wants to leave his "calling card" along with the rest.

If we're on a serious, exercise type walk, I don't allow sniffing. But if we're on a more casual outing, or if we stop for a break on a long walk, I'll say, "Be a dog", and he knows that means he can sniff and mark to his heart's content.

Leo started lifting his leg on trees and pole at 6 months, almost to the day, but he lives with an older "brother" who lifts his leg on trees etc. outside. That said if he really needs to pee he will assume the horse peeing position. I do like Karen in that if we are out for a real walk I don't permit sniffing, leg lifting because I'd never get actual exercise. If it's a more causal stroll then Leo can sniff and leg lift at will. Neither of the boys has offered to pee or leg lift when indoors.

I need to do more "serious, exercise type walk" AND to adopt the command "be a dog" which I think Lucky would love to heAR. THANK YOU!

Hobbes has always done a mix. He will lift his leg sometimes or sometimes he will stand like a horse, all stretched out. They do interesting things!

Django has always lifted his leg. When we walk, I always let him sniff and smell the roses so he always lifts his leg.

Tyler has always been a leg lifter, the higher the better, until the last few months when he began alternating between the horse pee stance and leg lifting. I thought it might have something to do with his knee injury, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, as he can lift either his right (bad knee) or left leg equally as well. Could be his advanced age!

yep , he's doing what the Romans are doing. He's overmarking to leave his signature. I guess there are no Romans where you live lol.

My little girl dog lifts her leg to pee, has since the day i got her. sometimes during a long pee she will rock back and forth between one leg and the other back leg. She is the only girl dog I've ever seen do this, but I must say, she never gets a drop on her fur, and she looks mighty cute. she doesn't lift high like a boy dog, just high enough to get the fur out of the way of the stream!

I wish KODI didn't get it on himself when he lifts his leg!!! When he just stands and pees, it's fine. But when he lifts his leg, especially if there's any wind, he gets it all over his skirt. (one of the reasons I kind of discourage it for the most part! )