Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, and they use urine to communicate with other dogs. When they pee on things during a walk, they’re essentially leaving behind messages for other dogs. It’s a way for them to mark their territory and convey information about themselves, such as their sex, age, and health status.
Additionally, the act of marking can serve as a form of social signaling and can help establish a dog’s presence in a particular area. So, when your dog stops to pee on a mailbox, tree or fire hydrant during a walk, they’re engaging in natural behavior that’s deeply ingrained in their instincts.
