Introduction
It is common for male dogs to lift their leg when urinating. However, some male dogs squat to pee instead of lifting their leg. While leg lifting is considered the normal posture for male dogs, squatting to urinate is also natural behavior. This article provides an overview of why some male dogs squat to pee and the possible causes behind this peeing posture.
Anatomy
The male dog’s urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys filter waste from the blood and produce urine. The ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, where it is stored until the dog urinates. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the dog’s body through the penis (The Urinary System of Dogs).
The main external parts involved in a male dog’s urination are the prepuce and penis. The prepuce is the fold of skin covering the penis. When a male dog urinates, the penis emerges from the preputial opening at the end of the prepuce (Male Urogenital).
Leg Lifting
Most male dogs naturally lift their leg when urinating once they reach adolescence. This allows them to pee higher up on vertical surfaces and “mark their territory” (AKC). Before maturity, male puppies will squat to pee just like their female counterparts.
Leg lifting begins as early as 3 months old for some dogs, but more commonly occurs between 6-9 months of age as testosterone levels rise. Neutered dogs may still lift their leg out of habit. Smaller male dogs tend to lift their leg higher to increase their range.
When lifting their leg, most male dogs keep their spine straight and lift just one hind leg, keeping the other 3 legs firmly on the ground. They may lean forward or place their lifted leg on a vertical surface like a tree to urinate upwards. Some males alternate between legs or lift both back legs together.
While leg lifting is instinctual, owners can positively reinforce the behavior when their male puppy first demonstrates it. Giving treats and verbal praise can help establish the habit. However, owners should avoid punishment if their dog is slow to lift his leg, as forcing it can cause anxiety.
Squatting Posture
When a male dog squats to pee, he will lower his hindquarters toward the ground and assume a crouched position with his legs apart. The dog’s back will be hunched downward, and the hind legs will bend fully to bring the rear end close to the ground.
In this squatting position, the dog directs his urine stream between his hind legs straight down toward the ground. The pee does not project out and away from the dog’s body as it does when a leg is lifted. This allows the pee to puddle on the ground directly under the dog’s body.
According the the American Kennel Club, rather than lifting a leg, some male dogs prefer to lean their bodies forward when peeing and extend their hind legs back on the ground (Source). This modified squat allows them to direct their urine stream downward while minimizing contact with their own legs and paws.
Possible Causes
There are a few possible reasons why a male dog may squat to urinate instead of lifting his leg:
Medical conditions: Issues like hip dysplasia, arthritis, or other joint problems can make it painful for a dog to lift his leg. Squatting may be more comfortable. Neutering at an early age may also contribute to squatting later in life (source).
Lack of marking: Intact male dogs lift their legs to leave their scent higher up as a way of marking territory. Neutered males have less motivation to mark, so may opt to squat (source).
Submissiveness: Squatting can be a submissive posture. Dogs that are shy, anxious, or low ranking may squat to avoid conflict with more dominant dogs (source).
Housetraining Issues
One of the most common reasons a male dog will squat to urinate inside the home is due to incomplete housetraining or setbacks in housetraining. If a dog is not properly housetrained as a puppy, he may continue to eliminate inside as an adult dog. Even adult dogs that were previously housetrained can start to urinate or defecate in the home if they have a setback or regression in their housetraining.
Some reasons a dog may squat and pee inside due to housetraining issues include:
– The dog was never fully housetrained as a puppy.
– The dog is still very young and puppies will need to urinate more frequently.
– Changes or disruptions in routine leading to accidents inside.
– Medical conditions causing increased urination.
– Stress, anxiety, or excitement causing urination inside.
– Lack of supervision and access to unrestricted areas of the home.
– Insufficient housetraining reinforcement or rewards for going outside.
If a male dog is squatting inside and urinating without being fully housetrained, going back to basics with housetraining is crucial. This means taking the dog out frequently on a schedule, rewarding and praising for going outside, removing access to parts of the home, and addressing any medical or behavioral issues. Patience and consistency are key to overcoming housetraining setbacks. It’s important not to punish or scold the dog for squatting inside, as that can make the problem worse. Check out these detailed housetraining tips from the HSUS for a step-by-step guide on teaching a dog or puppy to eliminate outside successfully.[1]
When to See a Vet
If a previously housetrained male dog begins unexpectedly squatting to urinate, it’s important to schedule a veterinary appointment. An abrupt change in urination posture can signal an underlying medical issue that requires treatment.
According to Why Does My Dog Prefer Squatting to Pee?, conditions that may cause male dogs to squat include:
- Arthritis or orthopedic problems making it painful to lift the leg.
- Hormonal conditions impacting urination.
- Neurological disorders affecting nerve signals to lift the leg.
- Incontinence or loss of bladder control.
- Urinary tract infections or bladder stones causing discomfort.
A vet will perform a physical exam and potentially recommend bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays, or other tests to pinpoint the underlying cause. With treatment, it may be possible to resolve the medical issue and restore normal urination posture.
Prevention
There are several ways to prevent or stop a male dog from squatting to urinate inside the home.
One method is to use marking and positive reinforcement. When you catch your dog squatting inappropriately, interrupt the behavior with a firm “no” or other marker word. Immediately take the dog outside to finish urinating, and provide praise and a treat when he completes the behavior in the proper location. This helps the dog associate going potty outside with rewards.
Additionally, stick to a consistent housetraining schedule. Take the dog out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after playtime, and before bedtime. Supervise the dog or crate train when you can’t directly watch him. The more opportunities you provide for outdoor elimination, the less likely indoor accidents will occur.
Other tips include thoroughly cleaning soiled areas to remove odors that may attract the dog to re-mark the spot. You can also try spraying pet repellants on furniture or carpet to deter squatting behavior.
Treatment
There are both medical and behavioral interventions to treat dogs that squat to pee.
Medically, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, tumors, or anatomical defects may require antibiotics, surgery, or medications to control urination. It’s important to have a veterinary workup to rule out underlying medical causes. Treatment will depend on the specific diagnosis from the vet (Newport Harbor Veterinary Hospital, 2023).
For dogs without medical issues, behavioral interventions can help resolve inappropriate peeing. Confine the dog to an area like a crate when unsupervised, and reward with treats for peeing in designated areas outside. Clean soiled areas thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner. Keep the dog on a consistent schedule for feeding, exercise, and potty breaks. Use belly bands or dog diapers if the issue persists. Consulting with a veterinary behaviorist may provide targeted training guidance (VCA Animal Hospitals, 2023).
Summary
To recap, some male dogs squat to urinate rather than lifting their leg. This squat posture is natural dog behavior and is caused by a variety of factors. Puppies often squat when first learning to potty train. Anatomical issues like hip dysplasia may prevent leg lifting. Neutered males are also more likely to squat. While usually normal, urinary issues like infections and incontinence can cause squatting too. Treat any underlying medical conditions if needed. Otherwise, simply accept squatting as your dog’s natural potty style. Just focus on housetraining consistency. With time and positive reinforcement, your male puppy or dog can learn to successfully urinate in an appropriate indoor spot or outdoor location.