Your Cart is Empty
Most of us will know that leg-lifting is often the quickest way to tell male dogs from female dogs when out and about. And while this behavior is more common in male dogs, it is not always guaranteed - as some pups will happily squat to pee forever!
When male dogs reach sexual maturity, around 6-9 months depending on breed, they will often start to exhibit leg-lifting behaviors when going to the toilet. This is usually to start marking their territory, to communicate with other dogs either to warn them, let them know the area is safe or even to attract a mate.
Some dog owners may be concerned if their male dog isn’t lifting their leg to pee, and while this is rarely cause for too much worry, we have put together a short guide on how to train your dog to lift his leg when he pees.
It is important to remember that when it comes to our dogs peeing, there is no one right way to do it. Every pup is different and therefore different approaches will work for them.
Even if after training and consulting a professional your male dog still doesn’t want to lift their leg to pee, if there are no obvious health reasons as to why, then don’t force it.
Sometimes pups need a little bit of gentle guidance to reach certain developmental milestones, and so we have put together a short list of some of the best things to try when it comes to training your dog to lift his leg to pee.
Smaller dog breeds usually come into sexual maturity around 6 months, with older breeds taking a little longer up to the 9 month mark. This is a guideline so that dog owners know what to expect, however it is unlikely to be accurate down to the day.
Each pup will find their feet at different points, so perhaps do some research into your dog’s breed to see where they should be at with their development.
There is something to be said about finding the right spot for your dog to pee. Scent-marking from other dogs can either entice or deter a dog, and so when it comes to toilet training it is worth keeping your dog to a familiar area - like the garden - until they get the hang of things. Allow your dog to sniff around and you will notice them naturally start to gravitate towards or focus on certain areas.
Verbal cues are an excellent training tool, and with a dog’s heightened sense of hearing they are naturally very receptive to spoken commands and sounds. The cue can be anything of your choice - a sound or perhaps a word such as ‘up’ or ‘go’ - and once chosen must be used consistently in a calm, upbeat tone to solidify your dog’s learning. Remember: consistency is important here.
Dogs respond best to repetition and positive reinforcement; raised voices and angry words are never helpful and will only make your dog anxious around you and the training process. Your dog isn’t being naughty, they are learning something new and will need plenty of love and encouragement to reach their goals. Remember, all dogs are different and will learn at different rates.
Consistency is the key to any form of canine training. Dogs need repetition in order to store information and learn commands, and so whether you are using verbal cues or physical action cues, for example a click or upward hand motion, these commands will need to remain the same throughout training so that your pup doesn’t get confused by sudden changes.
Observing other dogs is an excellent training tool for younger pups, the same way young dogs in wild packs would look to the alpha males of the group to learn how to be and survive. If you have other male dogs in the house this is a great start, as your pup will already be paying attention to what they do. This is where socializing at puppy groups or with older dogs on walks can be beneficial.
One of the main things to remember is that these things will take time. Especially if you are dealing with younger dogs, these little’uns are new to everything, and so adding even more training (on top of everything they are already learning) can be overwhelming for their short attention spans. Have patience, you’ll get there!
It is believed that neutering your male dog may have an effect on leg-lifting behaviors, with the possibility of minimizing their drive to urinate this way. However, this will vary from dog to dog, and it is worth noting that male dogs lifting their leg to pee is a very deep-rooted instinctual behavior, meaning that neutering is not a sure or guaranteed way to stop this behavior. So, any pet parents out there who have already taken their pup for the snip, don’t worry too much!
If all else fails, professional guidance is out there. If you are struggling to train your dog or are concerned there may be underlying causes as to why your male dog won’t lift his leg to pee, your vet should be your first port of call. They will be able to give your dog the once over and run any tests needed. If the issue is behavioral they may be able to refer you to a training specialist, and otherwise, it may just be how your pup is wired.
When it comes down to training dogs in any capacity, the key is to remain calm and to show your pup they are doing a good job. Never ever use physical force on your dog, and scolding them will only frighten them and make the training process harder.
Dogs respond best to repetition and positive reinforcement, so lots of patience, pets and treats are the best tools to get your pup to where they need to be.
Follow Us On
Check Out Our Most Popular Content
