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Question: My dog is a year old, and just started to lift his leg. The only problem is when we are inside and I am sitting down. He will come up and lift his leg (does not pee on me). Is he trying to dominate me? It is quite bothersome. What can I do to get him to stop?
-KW - Raefrod, NC

ANSWER: If your dog is not neutered, that might decrease some of this behavior. Also, you don't make it clear if he lifts his leg and nothing comes out, or urine comes out but it just doesn't hit you. If he lifts his leg and urine doesn't come out, he should be examined by his vet. It is hard to tell whether or not he is trying to dominate you. Leg lifting has many different meanings. If he is trying to dominate you, you can assert your dominance over him with re-ranking techniques. Don't leave food out. Have him eat after you. Don't allow him free access to toys. He must obey obedience commands to get you to throw a toy or give him anything he wants. Make a list of everything he likes (petting, attention, opening doors to go for a walk or outside, toys, treats etc.) Don't allow him up on elevated surfaces like beds or furniture. With that said, start to teach your dog to sit or lie down each time he approaches. Your dog can't lift his leg from the sit or down position. Use food treats to reward him in the sit and down position. I recommend using food treats because it is easier to reward the dog a few feet from you in the down position by flicking a food treat to him. Also, if you are rewarding him with food in either position, it keeps his focus on the food, not you. After 6-8 weeks of developing this routine of always placing him in a sit or down as he approaches you, you can stop giving the commands and see if the leg lifting has subsided.