Dogs like to spread their scent high and wide.
Male dogs lift, or "cock" their leg when urinating in order to spread their scent. By cocking their leg, they distribute their urine closer to nose height, so new dogs know that they are entering another dog's territory. While it is counter-intuitive for a male dog not to cock when urinating, you can stop him ruining your favorite bush or staining garden ornaments by training him to go in one place only. The key to this element of house-breaking is positive reinforcement. Encourage any small sign of progress.
Instructions
1. Select a suitable place for your dog to urinate and put a couple of dog treats nearby, for example a bush at the back of the garden. Dogs instinctively want to urinate onto to something that carries their scent above ground-level, such as a bush or lamp-post. Don't expect your dog to urinate straight onto the grass.
2. Fill an empty water-bottle with pebbles. Fasten the top securely and keep it handy during training. Shake the bottle to distract your dog when he fails to acknowledge your commands.
3. Let your dog into the garden briefly after drinking. Dogs typically need to relieve themselves within an hour of taking a drink, but will readily spread their scent regardless of needing to "go." However, a dog that has just taken a big drink is more likely to urinate in more than one place, giving you the perfect chance to begin training.
4. Observe your dog's behavior and be ready to disrupt inappropriate urination. As soon as your dog goes to lift his leg in the wrong place, call his name. The first step of correcting a behavior is distraction. Shout out to your dog in a friendly, but firm voice. When he looks at you, issue praise. For example "Good boy!" If he fails to respond to your call, shake the bottle. This noise will pique his interest because it is new. Don't over-use the bottle distraction because if your dog gets used to hearing it, he will ignore it.
5. Distract your dog verbally each time he goes to urinate in the wrong place. Encourage him to the place that you want him to use by standing next to it and calling his name. If he notices the treats, you may not need to encourage him. He may not immediately use the designated place, so patience is required. Don't punish or scold the dog if he does urinate in the wrong place.
6. Reward the dog, even for the smallest of eliminations.
Reward the dog with praise and food as soon as he completes a leg-lift in the right place. Don't begin praise until he has finished, as you may distract him. Dogs learn by association, so in your dog's mind urinating in the designated place has a positive outcome. Urinating everywhere has a negative or neutral outcome, depending on his reaction to the bottle distraction device. Repeat this process for as long as it takes your dog to get into the habit of going in the right place.
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