Marking His "Territory"?

[Carol and Banjo]

I know this topic has been discussed but can't seem to find anything.  Today, while out for his daily walk Banjo lifted his leg to mark a utility pole!   WTD?!!!!   This was the first time he's ever done this.  I have noticed in the past few days while out walking he has stopped alot to sniff at posts or poles.  This is new behavior.   Generally, I don't stop to allow him to do this.  When I see him starting to sniff I'll say "come along" and if he doesn't respond he gets a correction.    My question is, should you allow a dog to mark....or should he be discouraged and corrected?   Also, why at 17 months old is he suddenly doing this?    And, finally.....will this lead to marking inside the house???     As far as I know there are no new dogs in the neighborhood.   I'm really puzzled as to why he's doing this now.

This is all new to me so any input is greatly appreciated. 

[Carol and Banjo]

LOL.....I LOVE that your DH took such manly pride in his "man dog"!   It must be a guy thing for sure.  DH seemed to think it was totally fine and cool.   I'm the one who was "put off" by it.   Funny you should mention the bear.....we haven't seen him since April 1st and tonite (just 30 minutes ago!) he ambled through the yard!

Well, Banjo is a "squatter" and today we traveled a different route and he showed no inclination of marking.   I'll be interested to see if it's just on his usual route that he shows his manly tendencies.

[Ginny Nightingale]

My puppy is not yet five months old and already lifts his leg. He spent an afternoon with his dad and learned it from him, I think. He is VERY good in the house, though, so far---I have had lots of male dogs and they all marked everything outside, but never marked inside.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Carol, I can't help you either. Vern is 90 pounds and pees like a girl :)

[Carol and Banjo]

LOL.....Laurie, Banjo still squats to pee.   It seems the "marking" and peeing are 2 different events.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I think I'd rather have a squatter instead of a leg lifter. It's because they can tell where other dogs were

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Squatters cause way more damage to the grass, though. Leg lifters usually hit objects like trees and the dirt around them...no pools of urine on the grass. That's why so many people think female dogs ruin the lawn; it has nothing to do with sex, it's the concentration of urine on the grass.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Vern, Pee like a man...you are ruining my grass :) Fudge, you too!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey and Bandit have also started marking and Banjo is right in the middle of their ages.. .Bandit has also started ...ohh lifting his leg  OMD!!!  Its rare but on the occasional walk he does  FULL leg lift!!  I guess he is trying to be a MAN!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack started marking outside when he was about six months old, To this day, knock wood he has never marked inside, One time he did at someone else's house, I almost passed out because it was our first time there. As we spent more and more time there I came to realize that the persons three dogs have all peed in the same spot, My guess is like Karen said, he was replying to someone else's dog that peed there.

 

Jack loves to leave mail at everyone's mailbox in the neighborhood, I let him unless they have flowers, I don't want the nitrogen in his pee to take out the flowers!! I look at it as Jack's way of saying hello and that he has been here.