Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 12/29/2006

Question
We have two mini-Schnauzers.  Both 6 years old.  Both rescued from a rescue organization.  Both wonderful.  Max was neutered when we got him at age 1.  Charlie was neutered before we got him.  Max hikes his leg to pee, Charlie squats.  Just curious, is it possible he was neutered before he had matured?  He is also totally wired, he can play for hours.

Thanks.

Answer
Dear Wayne,
Thanks for the question. Charlie sounds like a wonderful dog! I had a min schn named Fleetwood. He was quite a clown!

As far as I know, "Hiking a Leg" to urinate has nothing to do with the timing of castration. Many shelter pups are neutered months before they reach sexual maturity and they still leg-lift!

I once read a reference to a study about male pups lifting (or not-lifting) their leg to urinate. According to my memory (which could be very wrong!) - The onset of the leg-lifting urinating position was related to the adolescent pups' exposures to other dogs outside of their normal group or pack.

I don't remember if the study included adult dogs or if there was a critical window-of-development in which the behavior is either adopted or bypassed forever.

I do know that it is not considered abnormal for male adult dogs to squat while urinating.

Some orthopedic or medical conditions can enhance or restrict particular positions for eliminating.

Thanks for the interesting note!

Happy Training!
Alan Turner

Owner: How's Bentley, Memphis, TN
http://howsbentley.com

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