The cliche understanding is that dogs mark their territory with pee. At times I’ve been on walks with family and friends with half a dozen dogs. There have been occasions where they form a line just to pee in the same spot.
So how does the ownership work? Is it like a co-op? Last one to pee wins?
I know it’s always described as “marking their territory,” but it always seems more like saying “I was here” to me. Our dogs for sure consider our house and yard their territory. If someone comes to the door or into the yard, they bark like crazy, and have a protective stance. They aren’t at all like that when I take them for walks. They’re happy to meet other people and other dogs, and they aren’t at all upset when they smell other dogs’ pee.
I think it’s more like exchanging business cards.