It's their nature. All canines do it because that's how their brains developed. Especially male dogs do this-they sniff and lift their leg and urinate on almost everything because they are marking their territory.
Claiming of Territory, if there isn't another scent of another animal, it will claim that as it's own.
They are seeing if this spot has been "claimed" or "marked" already. They are marking their territory.
cows do not exhibit this kind of a behaviour. and i am not sure if cats do the same.
