5 month old male dominance or testosterone?

[alessadry]

I saw my male 5 month old mating or what looked like it (I guess) with my female 5 month old this morning, fact is they were both spayed and neutered more than 2 weeks ago. Is this just a dominance humping thing or is does he still have testosterone? Should I scold him if I see this again?

[Shelby427]

I've been told it's a behavioral/dominance thing and yes you should correct him. It's rude. I don't let Hudson get away with it, although he never tries to hump me, just my BF and Shelby.

[alessadry]

Yes, I did scold him for doing that to his sister. However, I may not be able catch him every time. He has never tried to do it to us humans and he better off not try. I guess he is the one trying to climb up on the ladder but I guess the pack role is not yet established. She will let him drink first, but she will growl if he gets anywhere near her food. She also steals toys right from his mouth. However, now with the dominance humping and the fact he exits the door first when let out, I am thinking he is going to be the leader.

[SABELLESMOM]

He's a pup. He NEEDS your sage guidance regarding proper -vs- inappropriate behavior. He is being rude. I hate to burst your bubble but in more than 50% of the male/female Rottie relationships the male takes a back seat.

Female Rottie's tend to put on their aprons and run the show. I've seen girls play dental hygenist checking the furthest back teeth of many a surprised male. The fact that your girl takes toys from him, speaks volumes. He's allowing it. There's no scoreboard yet. It will be what it will be.

My girl Sable was known as the "enforcer" by her breeder. She made sure everything was fair and square between littermates. She has since dominated every male she has ever come accross. She has occasions to play with a biological brother and still rules the roost. He outweighs her by at least 10-15 lbs. She's basically gentle, but will take no nonsense from any male ever! A very large, male, playmate was a little too rough with her self-adopted pup. She got right on his back, knocked him down, and gave him a good "what for" and "don't you DARE do it again!"

He is NOT being a good leader by exiting first. My dogs exit AFTER me...not before. I can leave the back door totally open (fenced yard) and neither will exit until either I do, or if I give the signal for them to go.

You have two same age dogs in the same house. This can be fun but it can also be daunting and discouraging. Take heart, you can do it. There are several things to your advantage. It's great they are oposite sex and even greater they are neutered/spayed. You, however have to take hold and train your dogs to behave the way YOU decide. Don't leave it up to them. You will not like the result.

Are you home during the day? Are there times you are out of the house for a period of several hours? If so, crate them. You can't have either being rude and the other retaliate without you there.

Start some classes! They can be quite fun. Are there 2 of you? Can you sign up for the same class? Enjoy, your dogs. But please, don't let them raise themselves. They are not mature for a l-o-n-g time. They need you to guide them in the behaviors you want to see.

[alessadry]

Well, I really would like her more as the alpha dog, she is very alert, a fast learner and more agile. So I take it as a good news that females mostly get the leader pack role.

Oh, yes, they do let me exit first, this is why I emphazied the fact "when they are let out" meaning without me. I have to clearly say "go out' as they wait for me. Same for coming in, i must say "come in". I give them each day a few hours to play together and this is when the dominance issues arise, the humping and the growling over sticks etc.
I know it is tough raising two littermates at once,-(thanks for the encouragement!) but yes, I am not giving up at all, they are very good pups, they sit and stay in front of the food bowl, water bowl, before being pet, etc. I have left out cat food which they love and they do not get close to it because they know I would not allow them to-at least not until I leave the room- They know that the ultimate super alpha dog is me, however I guess they still need to establish who comes next after me.

When you mention do not allow them to raise themselves, do you mean I should intervene when they growl at each other over toys? It is hard to understand if they are just playing or if it is more of something that should not be allowed. I also heard not to intervene when they are establishing the pack order, rather have them deal with it themselves as it may become harder for them. What is your opinion?