Dog Pees on a Man in the Snow: Dean MacDonald’s Funny Winter Video

Dean MacDonald was filming a dog trotting down a snowy road when it walked straight up to his brother Danny, peed on him. Danny’s stunned, good-humoured reaction turned an awkward accident into a very funny little dog video.

The “Dog pees on my brother” video

Dean posted the clip on YouTube under the blunt title “Dog pees on my brother”. He had started recording simply because the dog was coming down the road towards them, so the camera was already rolling when the dog chose Danny’s leg. The timing is what makes it: the approach, the moment Danny realises what is happening and the laughter that follows.

Why dogs mark with urine

Funny as it looks, the dog was doing something entirely normal for a canine. Scent marking is how many mammals label their territory, and dogs share the habit with wolves, coyotes and jackals. In wolf packs the raised-leg posture is used most by the dominant animals, especially the alpha male, while other wolves usually squat to urinate.

A urine mark is a message. It can tell other animals the marker’s sex, its reproductive status and its standing in the group. Domestic dogs often add a visual signal by scraping or digging at the ground after they urinate. A person standing still on a dog’s regular route can look, to a dog, much like a fence post or a tree, which is how Danny ended up as a signpost.

Winter walks with dogs

Snowy roads bring their own hazards for dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends a few simple habits for cold-weather walks:

• Check the paws: look for cracked or bleeding pads, and trim the hair between the toes to reduce ice build-up.
• Wipe off de-icers: wash or wipe feet, legs and belly after walks, and keep dogs away from treated areas where you can.
• Watch for antifreeze: even small amounts can be deadly, so clean spills straight away.
• Keep walks short in very cold weather, especially for short-haired, short-legged, arthritic or elderly dogs.
• Use a coat for dogs with thin fur, and keep a dry spare, since a wet coat makes a dog colder.
• Keep ID tags current: snow can hide familiar scents and make it harder for a lost dog to find its way home.

More dogs in the snow

If Danny’s encounter made you laugh, try The Dog in the Road: A Commercial with a Surprise Ending, or the gentler Savor Every Moment: Keith Hopkin’s Film About Dogs.

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