Peeing on fire hydrants is the classic dog cliche, but it is such an odd, yet universal behavior. Why do dogs choose fire hydrants of all things?
A dog urinates on a fire hydrant to scent mark, and dogs scent mark most commonly on objects that are standing upright. Read on to learn more about why dogs pee on fire hydrants.
Dogs Pee on Fire Hydrants to Scent Mark
Both male and female dogs urinate on objects to mark territory and communicate with other dogs. However, more often, intact male dogs are more prone to peeing on objects than neutered males or spayed females.
Dogs use their urine to communicate with each other. Their urine carries pheromones, which are chemicals that other dogs can smell. These chemicals communicate a lot about the dog who peed on the object before they arrived. They can tell whether the other dog is female or male, whether they are in heat, a dog’s emotional state, and even their health status.
Peeing on fire hydrants, for example, is equivalent to posting a social media post for other dogs. Intact dogs begin scent marking at about six to nine months old, and you can usually tell the difference based on how they are urinating. If your dog is lifting their leg and peeing on a vertical surface, they are scent marking.
Upright Objects Appeal to Dogs
Okay, so we know that dogs scent mark to communicate. But why scent mark on fire hydrants in particular? Well, the answer may be in the shape of the hydrant. Dogs prefer to scent mark on upright, vertical objects. Trees are another good example of this.
If your dog passes a couple of fire hydrants along their daily walking route, this gives them the perfect place to “post their pee message” for other dogs to find and respond to. The vertical surface is easily visible.
Fun fact: Dogs also attempt to lift their legs as high as possible to urinate on vertical objects. They want to put their message where no other dogs can mark it. Dogs also use these scent markings to help them navigate through their neighborhoods and surroundings.
Dogs Prefer Yellow Fire Hydrants to Red Ones
Dogs are red-green colorblind, so the bright red color of a typical fire hydrant doesn’t particularly stand out to them. Yellow fire hydrants may be more apparent to dogs, but it is more likely that the location of the fire hydrant is more appealing than the color.
Fire hydrants are typically on the end of sidewalks, where many other people walk their dogs. This is a perfect place for them to attract the attention of other dogs with their scent marking. It’s also especially true for females about to go into heat.
Intact female dogs tend to scent mark more often right before they go into heat. Intact males scent mark much more frequently and for different reasons.
Do Dogs Scent Mark Inside the House?
Although most scent marking is done outdoors, your dog may urinate in the house. Social changes, medical issues, or anxiety may cause this. If you have a new pet, this also could cause your dog to start marking things in the home to claim territory.
If there are no new changes in the home, and your dog is spayed or neutered, take your dog to the vet for a quick check-up. Urinating indoors can sometimes be a sign of a urinary tract infection or other illness. Your vet will want to take a urine sample as part of the evaluation.
Some newly adopted street dogs may urinate inside because they’ve never had to spend long periods indoors. In this situation, you’ll need to rely on positive reinforcement and consistent training to break them of this undesirable behavior.
Some Dogs Pee When Overstimulated
If your dog sees you come home and immediately begins to urinate out of excitement, that is a result of overstimulation. The dog is so excited or overwhelmed that they just lose control of their bladder. This can happen when they are greeting someone they like. Alternatively, it can be a result of nervousness, such as going to the vet.
Dogs may pee to show submissiveness, too. Sometimes you can see smaller dogs hunker down to urinate in the presence of a larger dog. This is a way for them to indicate that he is not a threat.
Other Strange Things Dogs Do: Explained
Peeing on fire hydrants isn’t the only strange thing dogs do. Here are some other strange behaviors explained:
- Dogs may chase their tails out of boredom or as a way of exploring their bodies. However, a dog may also chase its tail because it has flea bites on its tail or is struggling with doggy dementia as a senior.
- Dogs lacking certain vitamins and nutrients in their diet may eat poop, a behavior you can break with training and positive reinforcement.
- Some dogs may drag their behinds on the floor if they have impacted anal glands.
Conclusion: Dogs Scent Mark on Fire Hydrants
When your dog is peeing on a fire hydrant, he is leaving a scent mark behind for other dogs. This mark communicates information about your dog’s health, sexual availability, and emotions. Dogs are attracted to the way fire hydrants stand upright, similar to trees. Plus, they are available along most routes and are easy for other dogs to see.
Scent marking is normal behavior and nothing to worry about, but if your dog starts to suddenly urinate inside the home, you may need to get him checked by a vet.
