I also think it's a natural dog behavior and they probably think that it tastes good.

It is a natural behavior specially for puppies. They are in stage of curiosity. Other reason for this is that they might lack the essential nutrients that they cannot get from food your are giving them and they are trying to remedy it. Try giving him a food every time he tries to lick his pee.

Thargoid, Quite simply, I do not allow my dogs to sniff and lick other dog's urine because it can transmit diseases like leptospirosis and brucellosis. And to be perfectly honest, I don't want them to have urine breath. I also don't punish them for it, I have trained them not to do this by distraction and rewarding with treats.

There are lots of other "natural behaviors" I do not allow them to do; chasing cats, eating feces, drinking from mud puddles and humping each other, for example. Just because a behavior is "natural" doesn't mean it's safe, or desirable. Some behaviors that may be natural in dog society are down right rude in human society.

There isn't much information that I can find on dogs that will urinate and then lick or drink the urine. The
only references I can find to this suggest that it is a learned behavior in some dogs that are constantly penned when young (usually pet store dogs) and that it occurs in other situations in which excessive boredom is likely. Some people have associated this behavior with hormonal changes in unspayed female dogs but I don't know if there is really any data to support that
association.

The only treatment options that I have seen for this is to use amitriptyline (Elavil Rx) or clomipramine (Clomicalm Rx). I am not sure what the rational is behind using these medications, though.

[rayter]

They say most dogs do this because they have a urinary infection. And so the dog is so dehydrated it will even drink urine. Is that true?

Originally Posted by Thargoid

I don't understand why you are trying to interfere in a completely natural behaviour that hurts noone. I believe an animal is to be respected for what he is. He is not meant, nor should be expected, to comply to your aesthetic standards, he isn't a "little human". As long as his behaviour is natural and not endangering anyone or anything then punishing him for doing what comes naturally to him I feel is unjust.

Natural? It's a completely nasty and disgusting behavior.

Unjust? I think not. How would you like it if your dog licked his pee, and then licked you or one of your kids in the face?...

Originally Posted by wouldbedogowner

Natural? It's a completely nasty and disgusting behavior.

Unjust? I think not. How would you like it if your dog licked his pee, and then licked you or one of your kids in the face?...

It IS a completely natural behavior. You might find it nasty and disgusting, but then again, you are not a dog.

It's also natural behavior for dogs to eat feces; their own, other dog's, rabbit poo, cow poo, and especially horse poo. Again, it's something you might find nasty, but it's natural for the dog.

Bitches stimulate their puppies to urinate and defecate by licking them. If they don't, the puppies don't eliminate. It's nature's way of keeping the nesting area clean. No one, not even a dog, wants their babies to lay in urine and feces soiled bedding.

Dogs also clean their privates and anal areas by licking them. They clean their feet by licking them, and lord only knows what they walked through before they do it.

If all of that bothers you, teach your dog not to lick your face.

well you need to wash away the pee if ever you saw it..

ROFLMBO!! Yep, there is MUCH more to worry about that has come in contact with their mouths and tongues than urine.

Originally Posted by splinters

ROFLMBO!! Yep, there is MUCH more to worry about that has come in contact with their mouths and tongues than urine.

Yep. And if you stop and think about all the places your dog has sat his naked butt on, you'd have to move to a new house!