Diddly-squat

Do dogs know their own gender? My collie cross is a girl yet she cocks slightly her leg slightly (not the whole way) when she scent marks. She does squat to actually wee. I don’t mind and it’s not a problem, I am just interested to see if anyone else’s dog does this too. It might not be anything to do with gender!

We think she was about a year when we got her and she is spayed. She was found straying at a few months old so we don’t know her background – perhaps she never had a female role model?

A. Jackson, by email

Alfie may need retraining for the train?

Can anyone advise me please. I do drive but fancy a train trip to visit relatives soon with my gorgeous dog Alfie. I think he will be fine BUT he has a habit of 'over cocking' his leg and marking his spot. I am afraid he will 'pee' up anything and anyone on the train! He is house trained but whenever we visit new places he is very over enthusiastic with his peeing. Any ideas please?
Lynda Readman, via our facebook page

Can I stop him cocking?

Would it be reasonable to ask and enforce that a male dog does not cock his leg in our garden?

My husband and I would like to get two dogs and the advice seems to be that a male and female generally get on best. We used to have a female dog and she didn’t use the garden for toileting at all, I think because we walked her first thing and last thing. We would keep this routine with the newbies and they will be adult dogs. They will be welcome to pee and poop on the lawn; however, I don’t want the pee high up on shrubs and flowers. If it is reasonable to stop the male dog cocking his leg in the garden should I start this straightaway or should I at least let the dog settle in his new home so as not to stress, confuse or frighten him?

Laura, Oxfordshire, by email