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Canine Behavior/my dog Bella

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Expert: - 4/24/2008


Question
Hello
My 4 month old female labradoodle did "that thing" to my leg today that I thought only male dogs do. Why would my female be humping me? And can I or should I stop it? It's a behaviour I'm not really fond of, in fact it's one of the reasons I didn't get a male!
Thanks

Answer
"Humping" is a dominance related behavior sometimes demonstrated by bitches.  If a litter is predominantly male, or if a bitch is situated in the uterus between two males, the bitch receives testosterone (which is released to the males in utero) and this can precipitate "doggy" behavior.

"Humping", in a puppy, is a sort of "test" for rank.  If your dog is a confident puppy and shows no fear toward you (approaches you freely with no hesitation) you can easily dissuade this behavior by offering a low throaty growl, then get up and remove yourself from the pup for a few seconds.  This is a simple communication, which would be offered by another litter mate or another dog, that this "test" is not acceptable.  Give your puppy other ways to engage your behavior and be rewarded for doing so by using positive reinforcement training.  Do this in very short, multiple sessions. This will increase trust, improve her problem solving skills, and help to curb any other "doggy" behavior she might (MIGHT) develop.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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