We have two Border Collies. One is an intact male (1-1/2 years old),
the other a spayed female (2 years old). Both present no behavorial
problems, but our male does some very curious things...wondering if
anyone has seen this before.

1. They go out the doggie door the majority of the time. The male
watches when the spayed female urinates and then almost immediately
licks up all her urine and "savors" it in his mouth (like a wine
tasting!) for about 20 seconds (seems like forever). Then he urinates
on top of that spot. I understand his marking her spot, but not his
licking up her urine. Is he trying to see if she's in heat?

2. The female is our dominant dog, but both get along the majority of
the time with the exception of a little ball or frisbee "jealousy"
*lol*. Sometimes the male will "slink" around the female with his
head down and she will walk away, or you will hear a very slight growl
(no teeth), almost as if they are having a "martial spat." Then for a
period of time they will not hang out together! I know he is jealous
of her and she is dominant, but we do give them 100% equal attention.
Just a dominance issue...something might have gone on that we don't
understand?

3. The MOST perplexing. The other day the male came inside the house
a minute after the female. She was already relaxing nicely, laying on
the floor, doing nothing, getting no attention from any of us. He
walked over to her slowly with his head down and ears slightly back
and did NOT bite, but gingerly put his teeth on the back of her neck
in three places. He didn't intend to hurt her nor was it playful; I
could tell by his look and demeanor it seemed behavorial. The female
didn't react AT ALL. She's very laid back (except when exercising!).

We wish our female was not spayed, but was a rescue. We are keeping
our male intact because we hope to introduce an intact female at some
point in the future. Any insight on our male Border Collie's behavior
would be greatly appreciated. Any books that address this? Thanks!