Female Dog Humping?

Question

My female dog keeps humping our 3 month old male puppy. This is her first heat and she is in the last stage. We are trying to breed her with our male dog. Is this a normal behavior? Why does she do this?

Answer 1

It's nothing sexual, and it's pretty normal. When she does it, it is a dominating behavior. She's making sure the new pup knows who the boss is in those parts. She's asserting her authority. If you are uncomfortable with it, don't hestiate to let her know.

Answer 2

I have a female German Shepherd who will be 3 years in February 2000,
and who recently started demonstrating some strange humping behavior .
I didn't think female dogs exhibited this behavior at all, but as of
late, she seems determined to hump my male cat who she actually raised
and weened from 6 week of age. She was fixed 1 month prior to the cat's
arrival.

I should additionally note that I brought a new male puppy home
approximately 10 weeks ago and I seem to notice the humping behavior
afterwards.

....................................


There are several possible explanations for this behavioral change.
Mounting behaviors occur due to sexual hormone influences, dominance
behavior, anxiety, and sometimes as a sort of obsessive/compulsive disorder.

Spaying a female dog will sometimes result in an increase in testosterone
influence, if they produce androgenic (testosterone-like) hormones
at higher levels than most females and then the suppressing effect of
estrogen is removed due to spaying. This can cause an increase in
aggressive or dominance behaviors and that can mean that mounting (humping)
behaviors will occur. It is possible to test for hormonal levels and to get
an idea whether this is the problem, if that seems necessary at any point.

Since there is are two new pets in the household, your dog may just be
attempting to show dominance over it, not really recognizing that the cat
probably has no clue what that sort of behavior means but that it is
natural in the relationship with the new puppy. This sort of behavior will
often settle down rapidly once the cat objects sufficiently and the puppy
gives in and shows acceptance of a subordinate status. That isn't always
the case, but there is at least some chance for it.

Whether or not you should be concerned is hard to say. This is actually
relatively normal behavior unless it does get so prevalent that you have to
consider an obsessive/compulsive or anxiety based cause. In those cases,
there are medications that can help, such as fluoxetine (Prozac Rx) or
clomipramine (Clomicalm Rx). Most of the time medications are not the
answer. It is OK to discourage this behavior, if it doesn't slow down,
using distracting commands such as "sit", "here", "down", etc, or by using
a head-halter type collar and stopping the behavior each time it starts by
controlling your dog with the halter.

Answer 3

I think that some breeds are naturally over sexed because I have a 3 year old long haired chihuahua and she has a stuffed bat that she humps every night and has done this since she was 4 months old, she has never been bred and is not fixed, in fact we spoil her rotten but as soon as we turn the lights out for bed she starts humping her bat. She is the only one that does it also, and we share our bedtime with 5 other dogs.

Answer 4

First and foremost please review www.AKC.org for a list of important information on responsible breeding. There is much more to is than just puppies.Genetics and heredity issues that are prominent in a specific breed and what causes those problems are not something to overlook. Rule number one is never breed a ***** until at least her second heat. Her body is not ready for puppies without affecting her own well being. If you are trying to breed her to your male dog now (3 month old) that is the equivelent of a person trying to get pregnant from a 5 year old....not gonna happen. Take a look at www.petfinder.com and see just how many dogs/puppies (even purebreds) are up for adoption. There are enough puppies without homes than in a home and simply not enough homes for all of them. As for the humping issue...she is asserting her dominance over the newcomer and she is reminding him that she is the leader of the pack in this house. Normal dog behavior....I implore to PLEASE do a little more research before making any final decisions about breeding your dog(s) It is something that should be thought through carefully and the consequences weighed in. Remember that for every puppy you bring into this world there is a puppy in a shelter that just lost his second chance at a life.

Answer 5

If she's in heat it could be sexual but it is also a sign of dominance in dogs. You need to make sure she's at least 2 years old before you breed her. Dogs stop growing around 2 and this is the best time to breed them. If you breed her too soon she could have growth issues.

Answer 6

She is exerting her dominance- letting the new arrival know who's boss. Bitches will do this even when they are not in season. I don't believe in interfering with such dog politics- let her get on with telling the pup that she's in charge!
Also, while I don't want to get into the issue of adding more dogs to the world, it is worth noting that IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO BREED A DOG ON HER FIRST HEAT; HER BODY IS PROBABLY NOT READY FOR PREGNANCY. Please research dog pregnancy before encouraging her to mate.

Answer 7

OK, Why are you trying to breed her? Because she is an excellent specimen of her breed, or because you are trying to add to the millions of purebred dogs that die each year in a shelter? She is humping as a dominant behavior. Take a look at the millions of dogs that die each year in shelters before you decide to breed. Are BOTH dogs BREEDING quality? Are they BOTH FREE of genetic defects? Even if they are both registered with AKC or UKC does NOT mean they are worth breeding! Do you know how many people "just decide to breed" because their dog has papers? Papers mean someone SAID they bred dog A to dog B, It does not mean the dog is healthy of free of genetic issues. Do you know how many people post questions about breeding that don't even have the faintest idea what is involved? Please reconsider the breeding idea. PLEASE?

Answer 8

It is quite normal behaviour but not the most acceptable, just tell her no in a deep voice and pull her away she will soon learn. But it will do no harm just to leave her.

Answer 9

its normal but you have to bite her ear to let her know your her boss! i take it the puppy isnt her offspring?. dogs do this to damage male off spring who show traits of being runts, bad breeders a bad genepool. either bite the bitces ear or get her to suckle the puppy

Answer 10

well it want a puppy that what dogs do when they breed.