Male Dog Peeing, 101

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Our little 9 week old Bosco's first day home yesterday was wonderful!  He has already bonded with us, took to his crate and playpen perfectly, pooed outside this morning; the only problem I'm having is I can't tell if/when he's urinating.  My last dog was female so it was easy to see when she squatted but even when this guy had an accident on the kitchen floor last night (I placed him down momentarily but he got startled at an unexpected noise) he didn't raise his leg. I had him out twice during the night when I'd heard him whimper but we have a designated area on the rocks and I can't see if he's urinated or not.

I thought housetraining was going to be relatively easy but this not being able to tell if he's voiding is throwing me an unexpected curve ball!

 

 

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Bosco is very cute!! Male pups squat, just like females. They don't start to lift their leg until after 4 months or so. Some males never lift their leg. I don't know the whys and hows. Lucca started at around 4 months. I think there is a discussion about leg lifting out there somewhere. Just do a search in the upper right hand side of this page.
With pups, the rule of thumb is take them out after they eat, sleep, play and of course before bed. I use to take Lucca out 2x a night until he was old enough to hold it better.
They may not squat as pronounced as a female, but they DO squat!! Good luck.

[Melissa]

Buddy is almost 6 months and he still squats. Sometimes I was able to bend down and actually see him peeing but when he was younger it was a little more difficult. When Buddy was really young and I could not tell if he had gone, the hair on his privates was a little long and I could always just look and if it was wet then I knew he went. Yes, there was also an occassion that I actually felt with my finger to see if it was wet because you could not always tell. Of course that was followed by a thorough hand washing. :) If you are having difficulty at night, take a flashlight with you. Shine it under him best you can or on the ground and that will probably help. Good luck! It does get better!!!

[BG and Gavin]

Okay I was going to say the same thing. I was trying to formulate in my mind how I was going to say that I would touch his fur to see if it was wet, without sounding like a total fruit cake! You did it beautifully Melissa and if I am a fruit cake than so are you! lol

[Melissa]

I almost didn't write that, but I figured I can't possibly be the ONLY one to have ever done that! Thanks for having my back! Sincerely your fellow fruit cake! :)

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

No worries. I am a nurse, worked labor & delivery. Not much I haven't seen....and touched ;-)
but I appreciate your candor and tact!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I've done it myself. The good news is that urine is normally sterile!

[shelly]

I actually was going to suggested the tap and touch method.too... but if you are a Labor and delivery nurse..... I am sure this would be considered a piece of cake. I have a tremendous amount of respect and APPRECIATION to yo very special nurses! Thank yo for all you do! Bosco is soooo cute!

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

"Touch & Tap" method....that's a clever name for it. Now that I know what I'm looking for, I can report that Bosco has definitely been peeing. He's also pooped outside consistently - no accidents and he was just 9 weeks old yesterday! Of course, a large part of that is my being consistent, also. How challenging it must be to housebreak a pup in winter months.

Your kind words about nurses are appreciated, Shelly. I started my nursing career on LI, not far from you -- and a good friend still works in a hospital in Smithtown. In fact, she may have even helped you deliver your sons ;-)

Tori is beautiful - love her unique markings!

[shelly]

Thank you for your compliments on Tori!! My boys were both born In Stony Brook University Hospital. I do have friends who also worked out of St. Catherine's in Smithtown (used to be St. John's). BTW ~ Our male golden retriever NEVER lifted his leg - always squatted till the day the poor pup passed.Guess it just becomes an individual thing. Enjoy your puppy - like children - they grow up way too fast! But it IS comforting when the 'puppyhood' is over!

[Adina P]

Most baby male pups don't lift their leg, mine didn't until he was 10 months old. They squat by lowering the area near their belly button a wee bit.

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Thanks, Carla, Melissa and Adina - I've taken Bosco out a couple more times since starting to get these replies and did indeed see this to be the case - that he's not quite sitting and definitely doing *something*! I praised him profusely, but realized I've been doing an awful lot of praising him just because he's so darn cute! But I think this is all just helping him with his transition away from the first and only home he's known - to that end, I also think the Snuggle Puppy's been helping, too.

[Melissa]

One more tip which you may be doing...to get Buddy to only go outside we started giving him a little treat right after he does his business. He loves his dog food, so we just take a piece or 2 out with us each time and right after he goes he gets a piece. For us I really think that helped let him know that he is supposed to go outside not in.