Why is it that my male dog has to pee on everything?

We will feature one or two questions in each newsletter! If you have a question, please contact Lysa Bea via email: bbeabass@ameritech.net

Ask the Canine Behavior & Nutritional Counselor, Lysa Bea

Question:

Why is it that my male Keesie has to lift his leg to "pee" on everything when he's outside, especially on walks?

Answer:

One of the ways that dogs communicate with one another is the urine & feces they leave; it's kind of like email messages are to us humans. When male dogs pee they leave behind a message that says just how "male" or dominant they are by how high they can leave the pee. So when he pees everywhere he's letting the other male dogs know who he is, how dominant he is and that he's been there to say so!