11 week old Duke has started humping things

[duketheboxer]

He discovered that he can hump a couple days ago. We're a bit perturbed by this behavoir since he's just 11 weeks old (today). He hasn't humped me, although he does hump his stuffed animal, and has tried humping my girlfriend.


Should I try to discourage this behavoir? Is this normal or oddly young to be humping things? I know humping can be an act of dominance, but I didn't think this would occur until closer to 6 months of age.

If he starts humping things now, will he always hump things even after we get him neutered?

 

[tesster]

At that age, he's "practicing" the maneuver. In adults, it's a way to assert dominance over another dog, not a sexual act. Neutering might help just because neutered dogs typically have less pronounced dominant tendancies than intact males.

At this age, I don't think there is really any need to discourage humping of stuffed animals, etc. You can redirect if it bothers you. I wouldn't allow him to hump you or your girlfriend, because it is a dominant behavior that is inappropriate towards the pack leaders (you and your girlfriend). Also, be cautious with him humping other dogs. An older/more dominant dog might not take kindly to this dominant behavior out of a young dog.

 

[MxRxSth]

Syd has just turned 4 month's old today and he has never humped anything so far so I have been lucky. If I am correct not all male dogs hump - do they?

 

[duketheboxer]

thanks tesster, I guess practice makes perfect?!

hopefully this isn't something he does too often. we'll be sure to keep him from humping us.... but we won't be able to protect his polar bear all the time! poor poor mr polar bear.

 

[Lola's mum]

I tell Zeb no whenever he humps anything, I know it's probably natural etc but I don't want him to think it's ok, i don't shout I just say no and redirect him with a toy or a fuss.
It may be funny watching them hump a pillow etc but it becomes embarrasing when you're having a dinner party and they do it ~ trust me

 

[stuvey]

Syd has just turned 4 month's old today and he has never humped anything so far so I have been lucky. If I am correct not all male dogs hump - do they?

Put your leg out for him and find out..

...give it time, no doubt there's something out therethat he wants to hump.
Max is awfy randy.

 

[tesster]

I don't think it's something that all dogs (male or female) do.

My Conner has never humped, but he's a very passive weenie of a dog. He doesn't display dominant behavior except by accident (poor social skills). My female would hump him when he got a little out of control in play. It's basically her way of putting him back in his place. I do not punish her for doing so, but it does get a little excessive at times, so I redirect.

 

[ladyluck_t]

Well with 2 alpha wanna be dogs and a teenage boy in my home, I have a strict "NO HUMPING" policy in my house. :D Across the board.....no-one is allowed to hump anything at any time

But those are my rules, it is your house and your rules. If the sight of him humping disturbs you, redirect or use the "knock it off" command (similar to a no but not as forceful :rolleyes: probably only makes a difference to me though)

Anyhow, at 11 weeks it is a testing out of a behavior. If you want to reduce the occurance of said behavior in the future, stopping it now would go a long way in helping you.
The more often a dog (or a teenager ) is allowed to practice a behavior the more likely they will practice said behavior. And as Lola's Mum found out, most likely at the least opportune moment

 

[MxRxSth]

Put your leg out for him and find out..

...give it time, no doubt there's something out therethat he wants to hump.
Max is awfy randy.

Personally I do not feel this is true and actually do not find it proper. Why would I even want to entice my dog to hump...:rolleyes:

All dogs are different whether they are Male or Female and you should not stereotype that all dogs feel the need to hump.

Anyone else here like to confirm that their Male dog has never or yet tried to hump anything?

 

[luvmy2boxrs]

Bailey is the alpha dog in our house and when her and Zoey are playing Zoey will try to hump Bailey. My bf almost had a heart attack when he saw it for the first time and I had to reassure him it was a dominance thing, not sexual in any way. We just tell Zoey "no" and she quits.
She has never humped when we have company over...thank god!