Humping Question....

[jammer]

We have a little mixed puppy that's around 4 months old. She's a rescue and she's been with us a little under a week. Well, tonight my 10 year old son was rolling around on the ground with her and she started humping him. She was trying anyway. Is this dominate behavior? If so, how should it be handled? We believe she's a little pit mix. She's a big lover and pretty submissive as far as I can tell.

 

[Sch3Dana]

Puppies do this with each other all of the time and I think it's totally normal. I do not think they are trying to take over the world, maybe just playing king of the hill

I would discourage her when she tries this with people (it's socially unacceptable in the human world)- pull her off him and tell her no. Hold her by the collar or on a short leash and wait for her to calm down, make sure your son holds still and stops playing. Once she is calm they can start playing again. She will learn that that sort of play is frowned upon without you having to be really harsh or make it into a dominance struggle.

 

[bubbatd]

Completely normal when the get riled up playing !

 

[Kayota]

Definitely, I know a Shih Tzu who tries to make love to my arm when we play too rough.

 

[DogLuvvr]

My pup, who is not even nine WEEKS OLD yet, started humping my arm yesterday. So not cool.

I ignore him when he does this and, if he continues, I put him in time out.

 

[Maxy24]

I agree Sch, when she humps play should end, have the kid stand and ignore. If she will continue trying to hump once he's standing you should leash her. She simply needs to know this sort of play does not work with people.