Dog Mounting and Humping

Dog mounting and even female dog humping have meaning to your dog that have nothing to do with sex. Find out why and what you can do about it.

Dog mounting and even female dog humping have meaning to your dog that have nothing to do with sex. Find out why and what you can do about it.

Obviously there is mounting and humping during the dogs mating ritual. But what if your dog is spayed or neutered and still mounts other dogs, the family cats, or worse yet, you or your children?

Even if your dog is not altered, there is no excuse for mounting anyone. They know the difference.

Dog mounting is a dominance behavior. What that means is, your dog is in charge. Letting your dog rule the household really isn't funny and its not healthy for the dog.

I know a few men who think their male dogs are just highly sexed and don't bother to stop the behavior. I would be mortified if my dog humped any of my friends because it would mean I am not doing my job as a dog owner.

The Nature of Female Dog Humping

Let's say you have two spayed female dogs and one mounts the other. The one being mounted has two choices. If she peacefully accepts, she is now the underdog more than literally; which means eating second, drinking second, getting toys second and even second choice on where to sleep.

If she does not accept the dominance of the other dog, she may try to turn the tables by mounting the other female. She may also growl, show teeth, nip, bite or fight.

Often they work it out themselves in a friendly manner, but if it's an ongoing ritual it may be best for you to step in and stop it.

Ways to Stop Dog Mounting Behavior

No yelling is needed. Showing is! Little ways to show who is in charge actually make a dog more comfortable. After all, it takes effort to be the boss.

• Be sure your dog walks next to your leg when outdoors. A pulling dog wins the dominance contest.
• Make your dog sit and wait for his food bowl. Put it in front of him but don't let him eat until you say so.
• Always walk ahead of your dog when entering or leaving an area.
• Never let your dog jump on you. If you want him to jump on you, do it by your command only, not his.
• One of the most important ways to show who's boss is in the greeting. What you do and say when walking in the door sets the tone for a healthy relationship. Know how to greet your dog.

To understand more about your dog's behavior and how to help him be a model citizen, I suggest this book

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Dog Humping Stories

Years ago, I had a friend who's dog mounted her bunny. We didn't understand the behavior at the time but it was pretty funny to see a 60 pound dog trying to lord over a 3 pound bunny rabbit. They were both males and the rabbit actually tried to return the favor.

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Another example was a spayed Yorkie. Whenever the Yorkie felt inclined to hump anything, including the three family cats, the owners would substitute a stuffed toy they called 'Baby'. It worked.

Whenever that Yorkie was 'in the mood', they would say, "Go get baby." That little dog would race to get her toy, bring it into the living room right in front of the television, and hump away for all to see.

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When dog mounting has to do with the
Dog Heat Cycle.

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