Just wanted to know your opinion, is it ok for my pup (almost a grown up dog at 11 month of age!) not to lift a leg? It is not only the leg lifting, he doesn't mark at all. In a way its nice to get all pee done in one go, squatting and here we go, but does it mean he is not developing properly?
Mine is also 11 months (only two weeks until his first birthday!) and also doesn't lift up his leg or mark. As far as I have read into it, it is no issue at all. I have read people saying theirs only started to mark at 2 years old. Unless someone with more knowledge corrects me here, I would say enjoy it as long as it lasts!
We were raising him for the Seeing Eye so we were told not to allow him to mark or left his leg. When I said he still doesn't that was a bit of a lie. In the past year or so he has started to occasionally lift his leg and mark a mailbox or a pole but I discourage that behavior. I don't think there is any problem with not lifting a leg.
I've had males start lifting a leg at eight weeks and I've had males that only lifted their legs if they happened to be standing next to something. And I've had females that lifted their legs at eight weeks. They're all different. But I did have one Papillon that beat all. The boys would go around and lift legs. Several girls would follow and lift legs. But she would then go behind both and do a handstand and back up to pee higher than both the boys and the other dogs. Gotta love them all!
I don't think mine was at that age. It is pretty recent for him. He is 16 months now and doesn't like to pee in the front yard anymore because there is hardly anything to lift his leg on. He prefers bushes and trees ih back. I will say it helps what is left of the grass now that he pees on the edge of the woods.
We were raising him for the Seeing Eye so we were told not to allow him to mark or left his leg. When I said he still doesn't that was a bit of a lie. In the past year or so he has started to occasionally lift his leg and mark a mailbox or a pole but I discourage that behavior. I don't think there is any problem with not lifting a leg.
I've had males start lifting a leg at eight weeks and I've had males that only lifted their legs if they happened to be standing next to something. And I've had females that lifted their legs at eight weeks. They're all different. But I did have one Papillon that beat all. The boys would go around and lift legs. Several girls would follow and lift legs. But she would then go behind both and do a handstand and back up to pee higher than both the boys and the other dogs. Gotta love them all!
Mine is 15 months and he lifts his leg only when he is next to something like a tree or whatever. Otherwise he won't lift his leg. He doesn't squat either, he just stretches out to piss, lol.
Actually I wonder, I grew up with dogs and we had a mix, a GSD and a rough collie at various stages of my childhood and adolescence. All of these dogs were males and started lifting the legs between 5 and 6 months of age. But back then our family was living in a flat and to wee all dogs had to be taken for a proper walk. I mean putting on collars, walking down the corridor, the stairs..all these things. And then dogs were suddenly getting exposed to all the scents, corners, shrubs, bin etc.. Rex grew up in a house and he is free to go for a wee whenever he wants, no exciting scents, no bins, no corners, boring familiar shrubs... perhaps it contributes to the lack of marking behaviour?
I happen to love a squatter rather than a leg lifter! Easier to clean up when necessary. I have had males of both persuations, as well as a very bossy female who lifted her leg regularly to mark on top the boys' pee! I wish I knew what caused a dog to go one way or the other! - I would definitely love to teach the boys to squat!
I have two intact males. My younger dog is submissive to the other male...but he has scratched/scruffed with his rear legs after pooping since he was 8 weeks old.
He does not, nor probably will not lift his leg while the older dog is in his life. He squats to pee. I don't mind it, I understand his reason.
I don't like when a dog marks constantly(or marks over the others pee), but it is what it is and I keep my marker from marking my garden areas, pots, and whatever else is of value to me. He is pretty good about it, but not perfect.
I happen to love a squatter rather than a leg lifter! Easier to clean up when necessary. I have had males of both persuations, as well as a very bossy female who lifted her leg regularly to mark on top the boys' pee! I wish I knew what caused a dog to go one way or the other! - I would definitely love to teach the boys to squat!
I have two intact males. My younger dog is submissive to the other male...but he has scratched/scruffed with his rear legs after pooping since he was 8 weeks old.
He does not, nor probably will not lift his leg while the older dog is in his life. He squats to pee. I don't mind it, I understand his reason.
I don't like when a dog marks constantly(or marks over the others pee), but it is what it is and I keep my marker from marking my garden areas, pots, and whatever else is of value to me. He is pretty good about it, but not perfect.
Max was about 14 months when he started lifting his leg out on walks. In our back yard he stands and goes at once it's the reason for many grass burn spots in our yard.
my boy is nearly 3 years old and typically does not lift a leg. I like that he squats and empties his bladder (although it does burn spots in the lawn). He lifts and marks so seldom it takes us by surprise, "Hey, what is so special about that spot?".
@El_rex
Lol, that seems right indeed. Must be the European influence :nerd:
Something completely different; it would be ideal knowing someone close by with a GSD of same age to train/practice with.
My dog only occasionally lifted his leg ....oh well no big deal. Whatever works for you right.(lol). He lived a very healthy life with no worries until he passed away a few weeks shy of 12 this past July. This should be the least of anyones worries( but I was worried about it initially)
I agree with @Deb: they're all different. I've had intact male IWs that never lifted their legs for their entire lives, neutered GSD males that rarely lifted their legs, an intact GSD male that often did and a terrier mix that ALWAYS did. All of the females (GSDs & IWs) squatted, save one. She was a highly dominant girl who often lifted her leg; she also marked and pooped after/on top of every other dog's efforts --- male or female. So, I've never seen a link to health or well-being based on leg-lifting alone. Gotta say, though, squatting is a LOT easier on the shrubbery.
My neutered male was never a leg-lifter. He would stand and lean forward to pee. Never had an issue with marking either. Gotta say I’m glad for both. Hoping my next male will be the same
I've seen many males that don't lift their legs, generally they were raised with females in my experience. My old male GSD, I think he squatted to pee but he also lifted his leg. Not sure if one was more comfortable or not, he did have hip issues. My mastiff very rarely lifts his leg, just when he is feeling especially full on himself, mainly just stands and leans forward like a horse. The neighbors have a male and he's started lifting his leg on the fence over their male's pee marks so he's capable just lazy I guess.
Congrats on your guy I guess? Personally I think I prefer it when they squat instead of marking everything!
I'd actually prefer him lifting 'cos he was constantly peeing his front legs up. In some ways squatting was better since he'd only do it once, a squat (well a stretch rather) and he's done. But quite often he shares my bed.. so stinky legs were not very welcome. :wink2:
None of my male dogs have ever lifted their legs but Whittaker tried a few weeks ago, fell over, and hasn't tried again.
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