Who's the alpha? and I didn't know females humped...?

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

We just added Lucy to our family a few weeks ago. She's around 2 y.o. and I think a labradoodle-schnauzer looking mix. Sweet, sweet girl and the whole family loves her and she seems super happy to be with us too. Our other dog is Holmes who's a male 1 y.o. goldendoodle. We've had him since he was a puppy. He's also super sweet and goofy. Both of them are fixed and well matched in their temperments and energy. 

What I wasn't prepared for in having 2 was the constant playing, rough-housing, wrestling, chasing & nipping each other all throughout the day. And it always seems to happen around me and in my space rather than the rest of the empty house or out in that big back yard! But back to the point....

I don't know who the alpha is and I'm wondering if it's always clear to us humans to know who's the boss? Like I mentioned, they seem pretty well matched and take turns pinning each other down. They also eat their meals at the same time, next to each other, but Lucy is waaaay more food motivated than Holmes.

Today though I saw something new: Lucy was up behind Holmes and hugging him around the waist and it really looked like she was humping him!?  Hmmm.... I had no idea female dogs did this!? Or do they??? Maybe it's only Lucy that does this? It's a dominance thing, right? Holmes doesn't seem to mind and I've never seen him do it to her. Would love to know if you've ever witnessed this behavior also. Thanks!

 

[Rae]

Oh yes! We've had several females, all spayed, that humped like crazy! Female humping another female dog, humping male dog, and mostly humping the heck out of their big toys and/or bedding!

[sarah c gammel]

Oh I cant wait to read other peoples experiences as, this (the rough housing)is my only hesitattion  on adding another puppy years ago I had two female dogs and they CONSTANTLY  did the rough housing, and only in my presence. This dynamic  continued thruout their lives together and frankly , I hated it. They would have to be separated , to have any peace and quiet. With that being said I, have a deposit on a future puppy and want to avoid  this scenerio.I

[Deborah Brown]

My three doodles - two males and one female pup - all wrestle and hump each other.  AND, always underfoot.  If I'm out in the yard with them, they are circling me, never mind that there is a ton of open space.  The other favorite spots are running around objects such as the dining room table.

I wouldn't worry too much about who is the alpha.  Dominance theory isn't too popular these days.  You'll find that one dog may be dominant in one area and another in a different way.  It will likely change over time as well.  Humping is dominance play but not necessarily significant.  I'd encourage them to more equals but let them work it out if neither is distressed by it.

Just make sure that YOU are the boss!

[jenn D]

I agree with all of this and have 3 also

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Alpha is not really important and many dogs switch back and forth depending upon the situation.  Humping is actually a bid for power.

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Good to find these things out :) 

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

When we added our second doodle they rough housed for a while and it settled down. They still chase, play and wrestle but it slowed down after the initial getting to know you stage! I cannot really identify an alpha. They both take charge at different times in different ways and they are very, very happy. We got Rosie after we had had Bruno for 2 years. They are well matched in size and temperament. I am THRILLED that we have 2 now.

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

They are ADORABLE!!! I just had bandanas on mine yesterday after their bath... doesn't last long though, they pull them off each other all the time. How close in age are they? And just curious if you were looking for you got your 2nd pup to match your first? They look like twins :) 

I'm looking forward to the rough housing calming down some! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I also love having two doodles.  The problem is when one passes away.  The other is totally lost and depressed.  I think we will always have two dogs.  We are looking for that second dog now and have had guest dogs staying with us until we find a doodle to adopt.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, females hump also and it is a dominance thing.  Apparently they do not have the roles figured out yet and she is trying to see if he wants her to be the dominant dog.  Right now I have only one doodle and he is not a dominant dog.  We have a guest doodle who is also not a dominant dog so there is no alpha to set down the rules for the other dog.  They are both players and wrestlers and they go on all day.  They will figure out the order and are usually happy to have someone step up to the alpha role.