Cock-a-hoop – The Royal Wee

One thing that all new dog owners learn very quickly is that one’s conversation with other owners in those little gatherings that happen in the park frequently becomes scatological. Urine is included, from those early days of housetraining to the next milestone for dog owners: cocking the leg.

Well, today, Travis cocked his leg for the first time – four times in fact – and he didn’t even wobble! What makes today different from yesterday when he hadn’t ever cocked his leg?

Leg cocking is a learned behaviour and happens in adolescence, although we know it is not linked directly to the increase in androgens in male dogs, as males that are castrated before puberty will usually still develop the behaviour. However, comparatively high levels of testosterone in bitches may be a factor in females cocking their leg and, anecdotally at least, I have seen it in bitches who have learned it from male dogs in their household.

Male or female, cocking the leg and marking with urine places scent (including pheromones) high up and therefore literally elevates the status of the marking dog to other dogs – in other words, they are bluffing. Small dogs may even do a front paw stand while urinating to get the scent up as high as possible. Marking is also territorial which is why older dogs parcel out the urine and also “dry mark” when the “tank is running on empty” – more bluffing. The sight of something tall acts as a prompt as well as the smell of other dogs which prompts marking over the scent.

It is a sure sign of increasing maturity and it will certainly please my friends and clients with lawns! Cock-a-hoop: you bet I am. Travis has executed The Royal Wee!

Next week: Crate Expectations – Content Confinement

Meanwhile, why not check out R+Dog Training Puppy Start Right Courses  and the new Puppy Social Walk in Chiswick House grounds for help with understanding your puppy.