I have a 6 & 1/2 month old Golden Doodle. He humps a pillow or his dog bed occasionally. My vet assured me its not sexual & he seemed to do it when he was bored. So today he started humping a pillow & I noticed he would stop to lick himself so I looked at him and he had a full erection (hot dog sized) sticking out & I couldnt believe it. Also it was dripping clear liquid. It went back in whithin a couple min. Naturally I googled it because I have never had a male dog but had heard this may happen. He never marks his territory& never lifts his leg to pee so I was not expecting this so soon. I read that he may need more exercise. After his pillow session he slept & I took him for a half mile walk in the cold nite air. He walks a half mile in the morning regularly but at night its usually a short walk. Any advice here?? Im booking him into the vet to b fixed but not for a month. Is this a constant thing that will happen?? If i walk him a mile to a mile and a half split between day & night should this help?? Thanks for your help.
Hi, Im Angie & I need some puppy help please
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Normal canine behavior. It's really only icky to us humans. Neutering may or may not stop it. I had a male Cocker Spaniel x Dachshund who would hump any and everything to the point of ejaculation. Much to the annoyance of my 80 pounds spayed bitch, since she was his favorite target. In his case, neutering helped, but he would still hump when he got excited about anything.
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My neutered-at-8-weeks (now 8 years old) male is my big humper, so neutering might help but isn't always a guaranteed solution, even if you do it before the behavior starts!
So long as you're not seeing signs of pain, discomfort, or obvious issues like his penis being stuck out, this isn't a dangerous behavior. Just kind of a rude (by human standards) and awkward one, haha. A lot of dogs do it when they're bored or overwhelmed as a way to diffuse stress, but adolescent males are also, well, adolescent males, so you may see the behavior regardless while he's going through this hormonal stage. Introducing more mental stimulation in the form of enrichment games, long-lasting chews, and/or training might help, as well as ensuring he gets enough physical exercise.
If you see him doing it, you can redirect him onto another activity like a quick training or play session. You can also try to take physical or mental notes about when it's happening to see if there are patterns - is it right before he crashes for a while? Maybe he's overtired and could use a nice, calm chew to wind down instead! Is it more common when you've been busy or the weather's terrible and he hasn't been going on as long walks? Maybe being more on top of his exercise is the answer! I, personally, suck at taking notes like this, but when I really need to pin down a behavior pattern, it's super helpful.
So long as you're not seeing signs of pain, discomfort, or obvious issues like his penis being stuck out, this isn't a dangerous behavior. Just kind of a rude (by human standards) and awkward one, haha. A lot of dogs do it when they're bored or overwhelmed as a way to diffuse stress, but adolescent males are also, well, adolescent males, so you may see the behavior regardless while he's going through this hormonal stage. Introducing more mental stimulation in the form of enrichment games, long-lasting chews, and/or training might help, as well as ensuring he gets enough physical exercise.
If you see him doing it, you can redirect him onto another activity like a quick training or play session. You can also try to take physical or mental notes about when it's happening to see if there are patterns - is it right before he crashes for a while? Maybe he's overtired and could use a nice, calm chew to wind down instead! Is it more common when you've been busy or the weather's terrible and he hasn't been going on as long walks? Maybe being more on top of his exercise is the answer! I, personally, suck at taking notes like this, but when I really need to pin down a behavior pattern, it's super helpful.
Thanks I will try to pay close attention. I work all day so I notice it when I get home & Hes relaxing. A couple moths ago he humped his dog bed to the point of exhaustion w no erection. Last night was the first time I saw his penis fully out. I never even saw the " lipstick" but the entire thing. After I wrote u guys he had a long walk but did hump his dog bed when I went to sleep (which is mainly when he does this) but he had no erection. I made an appointment today for him to b neutered because I have 3 cats & this dog is around 50lbs now on his way to 80-100. I dont want him to hurt my cats or get hurt while trying to...u know lol
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That sounds pretty normal. Dogs sometimes do things that humans would consider sexual because they're excited. No other reason. Humping is a very common behavior in young dogs, often displayed when they are overly excited.
Just so you know, neutering isn't always going to fix humping problems....in fact, I can't say I know anybody who has been able to say they fixed their dog and the humping went away! Usually the dogs outgrow it. I had a serial humper (neutered at about 6 months old, by the way), and the only thing that really helped was time and maturity, or redirecting if he was trying to do it to other animals.
Bottom line, neutering is only going to guarantee your dog can't make babies. You will likely still have to protect your cats, if necessary. Just make sure they have plenty of high places they can escape from your dog.
Just so you know, neutering isn't always going to fix humping problems....in fact, I can't say I know anybody who has been able to say they fixed their dog and the humping went away! Usually the dogs outgrow it. I had a serial humper (neutered at about 6 months old, by the way), and the only thing that really helped was time and maturity, or redirecting if he was trying to do it to other animals.
Bottom line, neutering is only going to guarantee your dog can't make babies. You will likely still have to protect your cats, if necessary. Just make sure they have plenty of high places they can escape from your dog.
I absolutely feel like its when he hasnt had a long enough walk at night. Also he gets in trouble for playing rough w my cats & I feel like its frustration maybe?? Because then he will hump his dog bed also. Hes a good dog i just had no idea he would reach sexual maturity this soon. Im kinda sad my little guy is growing up so fast lol
Thank u!!! Last night he was goin to hump a pillow after 1/2 mile walk & we practiced sit, stay, paw & lay down then played w a toy & he stopped 😀 i was so happy. Redirecting works the best w my pooch however im still gonna try to wear him out. A sleepy dog is a good dog lol 😂😂😂
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My parents male will get exited with large toys, Its not really something to be worried about.
If you do get annoyed by it, redirection is the best. Call his name, throw a ball or a toy.. Praise him for doing that instead of humping. I suspect that after a few directs your dog may learn that when he wants to hump, to instead seek out a toy.
If you do get annoyed by it, redirection is the best. Call his name, throw a ball or a toy.. Praise him for doing that instead of humping. I suspect that after a few directs your dog may learn that when he wants to hump, to instead seek out a toy.
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Agree redirection. My pup has also tried to hump (my arm!). He mostly does it when he's tired and needs a nap.
As for exercise, mental is just as important and tiring as physical (and more so combined).
Search mental dog activities and you will find some fun games to play outside and inside (especially since covid when everybody is stuck indoors or at home.
As for exercise, mental is just as important and tiring as physical (and more so combined).
Search mental dog activities and you will find some fun games to play outside and inside (especially since covid when everybody is stuck indoors or at home.
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