My 5 1/2 month old male cairn terrier just started lifting his leg about two weeks ago to urinate (we notice these things because he's a city dog, always on a leash with someone watching him closely). Since then he'll still squat but then he'll lift his leg and go two or three more times during each walk.

On occasion (usually once or twice a day) he'll go up to a tree or something and nothing will come out. He'll lift his leg and stand there sort of teetering like he's trying to stay balanced and then he puts his foot down and trots off as if he had urinated but we know he hadn't because there's nothing there.

At first I thought he was just trying to swindle me for a treat (housetraining behavior mod thing), but now I think it might be something instinctual. I've never had a boy dog before -- is this normal?

Male dogs urinate to mark their territory.

Male dogs lift their legs so that they can get the urine higher up on the pole, so they can seem like bigger dogs.
Ive heard stories about dogs even leaning REALLY far back to that they are contorted in a pose to get the stream really high up, like with their leg up past vertical, teetering back and forth.

anyways, he probably smells other dogs there, and tries to urinate to cover up their scent and let them know it is his place too, just to find that he does not have any ammo to makr his territory with. As he gets older i am sure that he will recognize when he can go and when he can't. But yes, i think it is an instinctual thing.

Yes, it's normal. Mature dogs may mark the territory every few yards, which would take a lot of urine, so they are very sparing.If you look very closely you'll probably find that your youngster has left a very, very tiny amount, just enough for the next dog to smell(and you know how good a dog's nose is!).If he really hasn't left even a minute amount (doubtful) then he's not quite got the hang of it yet, but he will. His marker tells every dog (and bitch) how recently he passed, identifies him and even gives clues as to his age and size (so we are assured by textbooks; how this last is known is not obvious!)

Thanks you, guys. Very informational.

Bib, he is a little puppy dog, just 12 pounds, but he thinks he's big - he really stretches his little leg up as high as he can, so he probably is trying to make himself seem taller. I've actually been waiting for him to fall over!

I would get your dog fixed at a very young age if you want this to stop. I will never have another male dog for this reason.