Questions about Humping

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Just some quick questions about humping... Is it bad if two dogs are having fun in the dog park and one gets fixated on humping the other? I know hump happens from time to time, but when one dog gets obsessed and won't quit, is this a sign of trouble (other than it being annoying to the humpee and the owner)?

 

If one dog is obsessivly humping another dog should the owner not take action to stop it, or else leave the park with their dog?

 

The back story - both Sophie and Winston were playing in the park and in came a spaniel of some sort, full of energy. They were all having a blast chasing each other when suddenly Moxie became obssessed with humping Sophie and wouldn't stop. The owner laughed it off while I pryed him off of her over and over again. I know she doesn't like it but she never does anything about it, just sort of wiggles a bit to get loose. Sophie eventually shook him off and ran around while he chased her. She didn't seem too bothered, was having fun, but the humping kept up and I had to keep prying Moxie away from Sophie. The owner never reacted, but eventually distracted him with a ball. Winston meanwhile, was bothered that he wasn't included so started humping Moxie. Then Moxie turned his obssession to him. it was a giant hump fest and I was getting really annoyed.

 

Am I the one with "humping issues" or would this bother other people too?

[Lorraine Bromley]

I would say well I don't like the dogs humping as my dog has gotten really upset before at another dog who was doing that so I wouldn't want your dog to get hurt! Scare the beejeezus off the duffus that won't let your dogs play and run which they enjoy! If the dogs are fine I likely would be too, but I would be extremely watchful of my dogs reaction to see any subtle signs she is not enjoying this play. We do stop it in our house when it happens with my sisters dog (female) with Neely. Outside not a big deal. If the owner doesn't attempt to stop his dog then you would have to say we are going to leave, I'm not comfortable with this kind of play. Quote whatever study of dominance you want and leave.

My sisters dog was just in a fight with a dog they normally play with that the owner has allowed other behaviors to go on and laughs it off. Blood was drawn so it can happen very quickly

[Pat and Traveler]

The hump fest in the park would have bothered me too, and I'm pretty easy-going on the humping issue.  Enough is enough, though, and I don't want my dog involved in constant humping!  Trav will try to hump a length of material when it's held up, his faux fur blanket being his favorite item, but he'll also try to hump a towel or sheet.  He's never tried to hump another dog or somebody's leg, and so far only one dog has directed full humping attention toward him.  That was annoying, and I ended up keeping those dogs apart.

[Carol Brand]

I have seen some dogs use humping as a form of  dominance. This is a very real motivation for some dogs and it should not be discounted.  Often times I see humping  come out when dogs get wound up and over stimulated.  For some dogs it can become a bad habit and they become chronic humpers (I wonder if some sort of endorphins are released).

 

I believe that humping should be discouraged.  Many humans are uncomfortable with the behavior and it is not socially acceptable.  It can be seen as an act of dominance and aggression by some dogs and it can lead to dog fights.  If a dog is so wound up that starts humping (this sounds like what happened to the OP in the dog park), then it is clearly time for a "time out" so that the dog can calm down.  

 

Finally, dogs do carry sexually transmitted diseases such as canine herpes and brucellosis.   Allowing other dogs to hump your dog could put your dog at risk (especially if the "lip stick" is coming out).  I've seen neutered dogs trying to actually penetrate bitches.  This is not OK.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

yes, STDs, my Sister in laws cat had chlamydia (sp???) when she adopted him. who knew??

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

that's cute. actually, Sophie, my perfect lady, has tried to hump towels and blankets too. :o)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I agree Carol, when the red lipstick comes out It's now a little gross. Murphy doesn't have a red lipstick, as a matter of fact, Murphy doesn't have even a lip liner pencil. He got totally jilted in that deptartment which is fine with me.

[BG and Gavin]

You are frickin' hilarious Sue!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

HA! lip liner. funny.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

OK, so i'm resurrecting this topic.... Lucca humps Izzy at home when she is playing fetch with us. She basically sits down and ignores him. Or she will turn and growl at him and he will back off. If Izzy doesn't stop it we intercede and like it has been recommended... keep it light. It's always been "if Izzy is having too much fun Lucca will hump her". At the dog park recently it seems to be escalating and i am getting fearful that Lucca will end up in a fight. Izzy plays with other dogs and Lucca usually "hangs" with me. BUT Lucca will go hump Izzy and if another dog tries to get involved he has started to snap at them.... basically saying "she is mine and back off". I have been pulling him off and leashing him. I pulled him off of her a few weeks ago and he was "in the mode" and almost snapped at me which he had never done before. A trainer/dog walker happened to be watching and she told me that his brain was in "hump" mode and I need to distract first. Which I try to do. Today, Izzy was playing with another doodle pup, a pit bull mix came up and wanted to play and Lucca jumped off Izzy and snapped at the dog. My fear is that he is going to snap at the wrong dog one of these days and there is going to be a fight. I plan to be more aggressive at home to stop this behavior and I was thinking of bringing a spray bottle to the park. Any thoughts or suggestions as how to stop this is greatly appreciated? I am looking at it that he is being overly possessive/protective of Izzy but she can truly fend for herself. Sure wish they could talk!!!!

[Moe]

Ugh humping. Humping is bad enough but for some reason dogs repeatedly try to hump my female goldendoodle from the front. I don't like it. Charlie seems so uncomfortable and will freeze, put her head down and put her tail down. (when she is calm it goes straight over her back). I think it is rude for people to let their dogs hump strange dogs at a dog park. I can't tell you how many times the other dog's owner will laugh or make a comment about how it is a natural behavior. I want to say, "So is peeing but I wouldn't let my dog do it on your leg." (But I never do). You can't control other people or their dogs. I don't do to dog parks anymore because people are nuts and so are their dogs.