Why dogs lift their legs to urinate: The hidden instincts behind the canine behavior

For a dog, a walk isn't just a chance to cater to their physiological needs, but also to mark their territory. Dog fans may have noticed that during a walk, male dogs urinate more often than female dogs. But why do males lift their legs so much?

From time immemorial, both wild dogs and wolves have used the scent of their urine to mark territory. When a new dog appeared in the territory occupied by a particular pack, it would be detected immediately. This enables the pack to promptly wave goodbye to the undesirable guest.

Marking territory also served to determine boundaries and prevent conflicts between animals. While humans have domesticated dogs and transformed them into loyal house pets over time, their instinctual behaviors haven't changed.

Urinating for purposes of communication and deterring other dogs is quite understandable. Yet, it remains a mystery as to why a dog raises its leg so high. A TikTok user, @alansadlik, observed that dogs could simply pee straight on the ground to fulfill their needs. But, the video goes on to mention that there are two reasons why a dog raises its leg.

In fact, dogs raise their legs higher to appear larger to their rivals. By elevating the urine mark, they give other dogs the impression that a sizeable individual had been there before them.

Interestingly, if a dog urinates at a higher level, the scent of urine endures much longer than if it had simply relieved itself on the ground. Urine that hits the grass straight away soaks quickly into the soil, making the specific dog's scent less noticeable. That's why our furry companions often answer the call of nature near poles, hydrants, trees, or buildings.