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Why is my 4-month-old puppy's penis always out? Is it normal?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | 4 months and 17 days old | 32 lbs

My puppy is only 4 months old and he is constantly sticking his penis out, he hasn't been neutered yet and the vet wants to wait till he is 1. Why does he keep sticking it out and what can we do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on April 29, 2017

There is really nothing you can do about it, it's perfectly normal. i agree with your vet advice, as he is due to be a large breed dog, it's advised to wait until around a year of age for the neutering.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 28, 2017
Some dogs can suffer from this problem, where they get an erection and the penis is out and becomes enlarged and then cannot go back into the sheath of the prepuce (the skin that covers the penis). This is called paraphimosis. You can try coating your dog's penis in ky jelly or other similar lubricant and gently pulling the sheath of the prepuce back over the penis. If it is painful and you are unable to get the penis back into the prepuce with this method then a trip to the emergency vet is needed. Coat the penis in lubricant to keep it moist/help prevent trauma. They vet may need to sedate your dog to allow him to relax and then use a dextrose solution to shrink the penis back to a smaller size and replace it. Sometimes a temporary suture will be placed at the end of the prepuce for a few days to prevent the penis from sliding back out before swelling has gone down.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on February 11, 2018
It is likely that he just had an erection. The bilbus glands in the dog are on the sides of the penis and they can become very large during an erection as well. Usually after 15 minutes or so everything will be back to normal. This can still happen even after he is neutered. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
Published on May 14, 2019
This is all quite normal in a young adult dog - if persistent and problematic it may be recommended to neuter him as soon as he is mature enough (at least 80% adult weight; 12-18months for medium-large dogs).
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My dog's penis is always out. Is it too big or a health issue?

Yes it is. He could be suffering from priapism, which is an abnormally long-lasting erection. A dog's penis is not meant to be exposed all the time and will dry out and become cracked and covered with debris, like carpet fuzz if this problem is not addressed by your veterinarian right away. If it continues to happen and he is not neutered, I suggest having him neutered as this will lessen the amount of male hormone in his system that can trigger this behavior and condition.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Health & Wellness

My unneutered dog's penis was out and he peed the bed. Is it normal?

Unneutered male dogs will masturbate and have discharge from the penis on occasion. This is normal as long as his penis does not stay exposed from it's sheath for longer than an hour or so. If it stays out too long it is an emergency and he needs to see a vet. If you do not like this behavior you can have him neutered which will probably help.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Why is my neutered dog's penis protruding and not retracting?

Excitement can definitely cause that but if it does not fully retract, then there may be a medical problem causing it. It can get dry and cause problems so if it is covered by now, I would get him checked by a vet. They may suggest getting him castrated to help and apply a small suture to hold it in temporarily.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Why is my dog's penis always extended? Should I take him to the vet?

That could be due to a paraphimosis, which is basically when the foreskin becomes trapped behind the glans penis, and cannot be pulled back in normal position. Chronic paraphimosis should be treated as glans penis can get inflamed/traumatized. If not paraphimosis the sign you described could be completely normal and due to physiological constant excitement. I would recommend recommend a check up to rule out paraphimosis.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Is milky yellow liquid on my male puppy's penis after pee normal?

This is normal. As long as he’s urinating normally, acting normal, eating and drinking, no vomiting or diarrhea, there is no reason for concern. The amount will increase some as he gets older, then decrease following surgery to neuter him. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23, 2025

Training & Behavior

My neutered dog's penis gets hard with a knot. Is it normal?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Ruger. This is common in young dogs, even in ones that have been neutered. It typically occurs with excitement in the dog. Most of time it happens less as the dog ages. It is typically not any anything to be concerned with, but you can also alert his veterinarian if you are worried. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog had his first erection after bath. Is this normal? Neuter him?

Wrigley is such a handsome boy! Dogs can get erections even if they are fixed or not, I have a three year old fixed Basset Hound who occasionally gets them. Since you had just given him a bath, I would be more likely to attribute his behavior to his excitement from having a bath and having it be over than the erection. I'm not sure how old he is, but male dogs typically do not become fertile until they are six months of age or older. If Wrigley is at least four months old, it's fine to schedule his neutered at any time. Some people like to wait until around a year of age, which is also fine, but just be sure to keep him completely away from any intact females or there may be puppies on the way! Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23, 2025

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