Be Your Dog's Best Friend
Module 4- Section 3
Module 4- Section 3
SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR - HUMPING/MOUNTING IN ADOLESCENTS
General and Causes
This is totally natural behaviour, although to us humans it can be somewhat embarrassing! This behaviour can occur in both sterilized and intact dog’s, however it is normally more extreme in intact dogs between the 6 – 18-month age period.
Dogs will not only try to hump other dogs and they will also attempt to hump humans and even soft toys on occasion. This behaviour is not restricted to males, female dogs can also exhibit this behaviour and very often this is found in the situation of a sterilized female attempting to hump a younger male dog to exercise her dominance/control over it. Like all behaviours, the longer it has been left unattended, the harder it will be to resolve.
If the pup has not been sterilized, then this is the first step to be taken and this is normally done at about 6 months of age. In a study undertaken in 1976, a reduction of 80% was observed in just a few days after sterilization. The longer the pup is left intact, the longer it can take for the reduction of the sex hormones to occur – up to 6 – 12 weeks in an adult dog. It is always advisable to speak to your vet about sterilization to see if he/she agrees, or if there are any physical reasons why sterilization should not take place.
Dr Sophia Yin says that ‘sperm are created and stored in the testicles, but they can live for some time in the plumbing that leads to the outside. As a result, the general rule for neutered males is to keep them away from females in heat for 30 days.’
Neutering also will not remove all sexual behaviour, the dog can still have sex if it wants too, however due to the lowered testosterone levels the dog loses the main urge to perform this natural behaviour.
This is totally natural behaviour, although to us humans it can be somewhat embarrassing! This behaviour can occur in both sterilized and intact dog’s, however it is normally more extreme in intact dogs between the 6 – 18-month age period.
Dogs will not only try to hump other dogs and they will also attempt to hump humans and even soft toys on occasion. This behaviour is not restricted to males, female dogs can also exhibit this behaviour and very often this is found in the situation of a sterilized female attempting to hump a younger male dog to exercise her dominance/control over it. Like all behaviours, the longer it has been left unattended, the harder it will be to resolve.
If the pup has not been sterilized, then this is the first step to be taken and this is normally done at about 6 months of age. In a study undertaken in 1976, a reduction of 80% was observed in just a few days after sterilization. The longer the pup is left intact, the longer it can take for the reduction of the sex hormones to occur – up to 6 – 12 weeks in an adult dog. It is always advisable to speak to your vet about sterilization to see if he/she agrees, or if there are any physical reasons why sterilization should not take place.
Dr Sophia Yin says that ‘sperm are created and stored in the testicles, but they can live for some time in the plumbing that leads to the outside. As a result, the general rule for neutered males is to keep them away from females in heat for 30 days.’
Neutering also will not remove all sexual behaviour, the dog can still have sex if it wants too, however due to the lowered testosterone levels the dog loses the main urge to perform this natural behaviour.
Causes of Humping
*Intact Males - One of the most common causes of humping or mounting. Research, both here in SA by the late Dr Odendaal and by experts overseas, has shown that when a male dog is sterilized there has been a definite reduction of certain problem behaviours and in the case of humping, a reduction in the region of 60% was the average, without further behaviour modification being brought in.
Dogs can masturbate, either by ‘air humping’ in some cases, humping a cushion or stuffed toy and even other animals. Many people have no objection to this behaviour as long as it does not become obsessive, an appropriate object is used, and the dog will stop the behaviour if told to do so.
Masturbation can also be a stress relief on the part of the dog. If you object to this behaviour, one of the easiest ways to manage the situation is to remove the object which is normally humped. However, you must ensure that the dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation as well as find out what causes the situation to occur and address same.
*Intact Males - One of the most common causes of humping or mounting. Research, both here in SA by the late Dr Odendaal and by experts overseas, has shown that when a male dog is sterilized there has been a definite reduction of certain problem behaviours and in the case of humping, a reduction in the region of 60% was the average, without further behaviour modification being brought in.
- Reproductive Rehearsal – As dogs play fight to prepare themselves for their future roles, so too will they practise mounting as preparation for mating.
- Anxiety - Dogs may hump when they are anxious, especially when it comes to anxiety over their own standing in the canine pack in a multi dog home.
- Over Stimulation – Dogs that tend to be very hyper and over excited sometimes engage in this behaviour. Although it cannot really be called anxiety, it is a sign that the dog is over stimulated or over excited and could be termed a displacement of behaviour or the dog is not coping.
- Excessive Play/Excitement – On occasion the arousal in a play situation just gets out of hand and as one pup may suddenly tuck its bum around and run around like the proverbial spring hare, another dog may start humping its canine companion.
- This can also occur in a training situation whereby the pup could no longer cope. This could be due to the excitement involved in training and frustration or when the lesson became difficult.
- Assertion of Rank - Humping, especially in the case of intact male dogs may be an assertion of rank. Look for other behaviours that often accompany dominance humping such as the dog mounting another dog from the side (placing its front paws on the other dogs back), circling the other dog in a strutting manner to sniff it – here the other dog may stand still and even raise a hind leg for the sniffing dog to investigate further. Another sign of dominant behaviour is one dog leaning or pushing against another. The next stage of this interaction will depend on the reaction received from the dog being mounted.
- Adolescence/Hormones –As the dog starts to reach adolescence and the testosterone levels increase (peak at 8 months of age on average), then it is very common to see this behaviour starting – a sure sign that good idea to sterilize and discuss with vet. As we have mentioned in previous notes, inappropriate elimination often starts at about the same time as the humping.
- Attention - Some dogs seem to hump more if they are bored or seeking attention. Look at this from the dog’s point of view, it humps, owner shouts – result – dog gets attention and the more you shout the more the dog does it! Funny as it may seem, attention to a dog is attention – regardless of whether negative or positive.
- Boredom - When it comes to boredom many dogs will engage in this behaviour.
Dogs can masturbate, either by ‘air humping’ in some cases, humping a cushion or stuffed toy and even other animals. Many people have no objection to this behaviour as long as it does not become obsessive, an appropriate object is used, and the dog will stop the behaviour if told to do so.
Masturbation can also be a stress relief on the part of the dog. If you object to this behaviour, one of the easiest ways to manage the situation is to remove the object which is normally humped. However, you must ensure that the dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation as well as find out what causes the situation to occur and address same.
