[Patrik Svedman]

Hi there!

I've got a hunting labrador retriever (the skinny kind). We often go out in the woods for hours at a time for walks and mock-up tracing since I don't hunt and to stimulate and excersise him.

Since we're out and about for long periods at a time it's not uncommon for me to find a bush and relieve myself when needed. What confounds me a bit is that my dog stands watch, as a look-out, when I pee and waits patiently until I'm done and have moved away. Then he goes to where I urinated and urinates right on the aame spot.

I haven't given it much thought as he is a super good calm and submissive dog to me and follow me wherever I go.

My question is if this is a behaviourAL pattern that would indicate that he wants to take over my role as an alpha or if he does this to follow his alpha/me? Perhaps I should simplify the question and just ask for theories of why he does it?

(This does not occur when we are indoors)

Thanks in advance
Patrik

[joypulv]

I have a female dog and a female cat. The dog pees wherever and whenever the cat does, outside. The dog also pees on wild animal pee, presumably anyway - she sniffs it for ages before doing so.
Dogs will basically pee on top of any pee. I wouldn't draw any conclusions.

[Alty]

The alpha marks the territory, the subs mark it as well, to make sure that predators, or other packs are kept out.

If he felt like the leader, he wouldn't watch you and wait for you to finish, he'd push you to the side and mark his space.

He's marking your mark, he's not making his own. :)

He's not a leader, he follows you. :)

I have a female dog and a female cat. The dog pees wherever and whenever the cat does, outside. The dog also pees on wild animal pee, presumably anyway - she sniffs it for ages before doing so.
Dogs will basically pee on top of any pee. I wouldn't draw any conclusions.

In other words, "I have no idea, I'll just post what I think my dog does, without really knowing, and hope that answers your question, because really, I don't know, and haven't done any research on it".

And this is why people don't come back. :(

[joypulv]

I write one unresearched anecdotal post, and get blamed for the failings of the site.

I highly doubt that you have researched why people don't come back.

[tickle]

Patrick, you are your dog's pack leader, by urinating on top of yours he is protecting you in an unknown environment with his own scent.

In his world, this is a good thing to do.