Humping: Sexual or dominance?

[Zumie05]

Gary is almost 8 1/2 months old now, not neutered, and in the past week I have caught him trying to hump 2 things. Once was last week when we were outside throwing around his big stuffed toy monkey, he grabbed it with his front paws and tried to stuff it under him. He wasn't really humping it I think because it was too small, but I think he was trying to. Since he didn't really get off with it I didn't correct him or anything.

Today he was out in the living room playing with another big stuffed toy, but this time he was on a big folded up comforter that we let him lay on and he grabbed the toy and wrapped it up in the blanket and did start to hump that! He got a loud NO, he stopped immediately and then ran into his kennel lol. He listens really well at least.

I am wondering that because of his age he is doing this because he is becoming sexually mature? Then I popped on here and read a bit and it seems that from previous people asking this question it does end up being somewhat of a dominance thing.

The thing is, Gary is really obedient with us and everyone in the house, but it may be that he wants to assert himself over the toy? Or maybe he just gets so happy playing with the toys that his "feelings" get a little out of control.

It is hard to tell if it is sexual behavior or dominant behavior, but either way this is making me want to get him neutered soon.

[damp]

I don’t care one second what this is/caused………..

My intact male is NOT allowed to hump anything…. (Not even a bitch in heat)

[leanershnitzel]

Humping is considered rude behavior in our house. I can only recall one time my intact male tried to hump anything. He is three now and has never done it again. It is just not his place to do it. I'm running this pack not him! To answer your question, it is a "sexual" behavior that will lead to "dominance" issues if allowed to continue.

[Zumie05]

Damp: Oh don't worry Gary also is NOT allowed to hump anything. I more just was curious to find out if his sudden desire to start attempting this behavior was due to hormones or dominance.

Thank you for the information leanershnitzel!

[brunie's mom]

Sounds like teenage hormone stage. I agree with the other's don't allow him to hump anything or anyone....put a stop to it quickly.
Do a bit of an obedience routine to get his mind off things.

Gina

[nlavett]

Originally Posted by damp

I don’t care one second what this is/caused………..

My intact male is NOT allowed to hump anything…. (Not even a bitch in heat)

Damp,

I have never spoken up before about the way anyone has answered a question. More often than not, I am defending the reasons for people being to the point. However, those of us learning on here "do care" what the reason/motivation is. Just saying that you don't allow it helps not at all. Without giving reasoning, you're just giving orders. Please be more specific if you are trying to educate or at the very least direct the OP to a helpful thread. All of us newbies here would appreciate it.

[Obelix]

I believe it is some of both.Growing up to sexual maturity at this age ,testosteron is ruling a bit now.Dog feels a litlle confused about this new feeling and is testing what he can do.tests his boudaries and is trying to establish a higher place in the pack(that is what his instinct tells him to do),cause only the highest placed dog is allowed to reproduce.(his wolf-heritage)

[Zumie05]

Thank you Obelix. That is just the type of answer I was looking for! I was pretty sure that Gary's behavior was most likely hormone related. My fear though is what you said about trying to establish a higher rank in the pack! There is a class at my work with my favorite instructor starting on the 15th, so I think we might join that one to get us back into the habit of practicing a little more often

[Shane]

The good news is that there isn't much danger from him thinking that he's dominant to the stuffed animal. :) The behavior is rude, however, and I agree that it should be discouraged.

[Sasha's Mom]

Originally Posted by nlavett

Damp,

I have never spoken up before about the way anyone has answered a question. More often than not, I am defending the reasons for people being to the point. However, those of us learning on here "do care" what the reason/motivation is. Just saying that you don't allow it helps not at all. Without giving reasoning, you're just giving orders. Please be more specific if you are trying to educate or at the very least direct the OP to a helpful thread. All of us newbies here would appreciate it.

I agree. The OP wanted to find out what CAUSED the behavior. The OP *DID NOT* say that the dog was allowed to hump anything.

I mean, if you can't contribute to answering a question, don't bother posting.

To the OP... I also think it's teenage hormones. Step up the obedience and training, and it will get you a long way. Good luck!

[JoJo]

The OP wanted to find out what CAUSED the behavior. The OP *DID NOT* say that the dog was allowed to hump anything.

I mean, if you can't contribute to answering a question, don't bother posting.

Well, honestly people, Damp did answer the OP's question, just point blank and matter of fact. Absolutely no nonsense. You asked what CAUSED this behavior. Damp stated that no matter what the circumstances or excuses there were, it was not allowed. Meaning, it doesn't matter what the cause was, it don't happen. So in other words, don't let your dog do it no matter what. Gee, I must speak Danish pretty good! For I even understood that one.

As for your statement, "don't bother posting", now who's getting bossy?

[Sasha's Mom]

JoJo, I don't think you understand Danish... but that's another issue. Well, OP asked "what causes this behavior?" Damp "answers": "I don't care."

Did someone miss communication 101?

[JoJo]

No, not I.

I don’t care one second what this is/caused………..

My intact male is NOT allowed to hump anything…. (Not even a bitch in heat)

That statement says it all. It DOESN'T MATTER what (what this is/caused) it's NOT allowed. So yes, I do understand Danish. So there!

[poohbearsmom]

ROFL.

Damp understands far more English than we do Danish, I can assure you of that!!!!! She's also forgotten more about dogs than many of us, including myself will likely ever learn.

In damp's no nonsense way, she stated that it does not matter WHY, it matters that we do not allow this behavior.

For those of you interested, unless there's a bitch in heat standing underneath the dog, it is dominance.

Again, it matters not WHY, but that it is simply not allowed.

[Mick Trainer]

For those of you interested, unless there's a bitch in heat standing underneath the dog, it is dominance. This is the correct answer to the question asked and Damp's is the correct responce.

Mick.