Behaviors of Intact Male Dogs

That cute male puppy may appear adorable upon seeing him for the first time. However, once adopted, puppy hood lasts only a fraction of a dog's life, and sooner than later that cute puppy will turn out being a teenager with full blown testosterone dictating various unwanted behaviors.

Indeed, dog adolescence may not be a walk in the park, it is somehow similar to dealing with human teen agers. Perhaps this is why according to PetSyle most dogs are surrendered to shelters between the ages of 8 months through 18 months. However, for those that are able to hold on to those adolescent dog unwanted behaviors, they will eventually see the light after tunnel, once their dog will settle down and turn adult. Yet, they still will have to deal with hormones should they fail to neuter their dogs.

Male dogs reach sexual maturity when they reach their adolescence stage. Owners who chose to not neuter their dogs, therefore, may have to deal with the rebellious teen ager stage with the effects of hormones on top of that. This article applies in particular to behaviors of intact male dogs. Neutered male dogs are less likely to go through such behaviors if castrated at the age vets recommend, however, some may still display some of the below behaviors.

• Marking Behavior

In the wild, as a pack of wolves migrate from one place to another as they look for food, some male wolves may be seen urinating on bushes, trees or rocks. The wolves will lift their leg and dribble a bit of urine. This is pure marking behavior. Domesticated dogs have conserved this instinct. A male dog may walk to an area, sniff it, lift its leg and mark it.

Curiously, according to the book Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog, often dogs that live in a pen rarely frequented by other animals, will not engage in this activity and may still squat as they did as when they were puppies. The main trigger which entices the dog to lift the leg and mark, therefore appears to be the smell of another dog's urine.

Some male dogs may also defecate as a way to mark behavior, and after doing so they may scratch the dirt nearby. This is not to cover up the feces, rather it is to mark it further adding a visual cue, that he was there.

• Roaming Behavior

An intact male dog has an instinct to roam around. They feel the pressure to mark around the neighborhood. This behavior especially exacerbates if there is a female in heat nearby. Dogs may recognize the scent of a female in heat from several feet away, they may therefore stick around the area for many hours or days. Sometimes if there are competitor dogs nearby, they may even engage into bloody fights.

• Mounting Behavior

While mounting may appear to be mostly a sexual behavior it is often a pushy, assertive one. Neutered males, puppies and female dogs may be also seen mounting other dogs, or human legs. If the mounting involves an owner's legs or small children it should never be allowed.

• Aggressive Behavior

Some intact male dogs may exhibit at times, aggressive behaviors targeted at other male dogs, especially when there is a female in heat. While neutering the dog is not a magic solution, it may sometimes, lower a bit this type of aggression when related to hormones. Aggression manifested towards owners, strangers or other dogs will likely not change especially if there is fear component. Aggressive behaviors should always be assessed by a dog behaviorist.

References

Genetics and Social Behavior of the dog by John Paul Scott , John L. Fuller University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1998)