Question:
My dog is about 61/2 months old and has not started to lift his leg to pee?
I would like to get him neutered ASAP but i am worried that if i do and he is not lifting his leg he never will! please let me know if anyone thinks their might be a medical reason for this, if it matters he is a aust/shep husky cross.
thank you


Answer:
There is really no medical reason that I know of as to why he doesn't lift his leg. My dog very rarely lifts his leg. I have never seen him lift it in his own yard, unless another dog is present. Sometimes, when he is off-lead, he will lift and mark a tree. Other than that, he squats.

My advice would be to get him neutered anyway. Does it really matter if he squats or lifts?


Answer:
liberty never lifted his leg...at least not that i saw, but then he was a shelter dog and neutered as a wee pup, before we got him.

personally, i prefer a dog that doesn't lift to mark lol..but then, i also prefer female dogs too


Answer:
thank you for the info


Answer:
Dante was about a year before he started, even now it's pry 50/50.


Answer:
The only male puppy I had didn't start lifting his leg until 8 months.. but I have a female (Montana) who lifts her leg all the time.. she's a big-time marker.. she has to pee on every piece of litter we pass on the street too!
Personally I wouldn't care one way or the other..


Answer:
Thank you Lixx and Suzoo I now have a better time frame to look at. I hope that he starts soon because that is why I bought a male dog. I know that sounds strange but I live in town and would like him to pee on the fence like my other dog did so that when the kids go out to play the are not rolling in the pee.{yum yum}


Answer:
Be thankful he isn't lifting his leg. My parents had many prized bushes burned by urine because their dog insisted on peeing on them LOL


Answer:
Hmmmm... I have heard that the behaviour is partly learned too... maybe if he's around an adult male that lifts his leg he'll learn quickly. Also, I've heard of males lifting their leg even if neutered young. I've been praying that Odie never does it... it's squating and he somtimes misses the peepad! LOL Odie was neutered at 5 months old, and still "plays" with a toy that I like to call "his girlfriend" It's a bunny plush about his size... I think he "plays" that way more after been neutered than before.... LOL


Answer:
If you are concerned that your dog is going to be peeing on the ground, you can train him otherwise. I have seen many dogs trained to "go" in a certain spot. Also, with distraction training, your dog can be trained not to go when on lead and heeling. My dog will not go on lead unless he is given the "okay" command and has a bit more room to roam.

Edited to say that not neuturing him until he lifts his leg is potentially an irresponsible decision. I know that it sometimes seems impossible that he would ever get away, but it does happen...especially if there is a female in heat. I would neuter him and try to let go of the non-lifting.