Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 10/26/2006

Question
Hello Mr. Turner,

I have a question regarding mounting/dominance? behavior in my three year old female Chihuahua.  In just the last couple of days she has started to mount my mom’s arm and leg at various times.  To give you some background details, we got Penny back in February, at age three.  She is only about 3.5 pounds, and is generally a mellow, sweet dog.  She was very timid for the first couple of months after we got her, but we’ve seen her personality coming out more and more all the time.  She was really quiet and not interested in playing at first, but she’s quite barky and playful now.  She bonded strongly to me, but three weeks ago I had to leave for college and my mom, who was her second favorite person, is now taking care of her at home.  I’m mentioning this in case the mounting behavior starting so suddenly has anything to do with the separation.  Also, she is not spayed yet, as I’ve had different people tell me it’s dangerous on such a small dog… is it?  Maybe it’s her hormones?

Anyway, I’m wondering why she’s started doing this stuff all of a sudden?  Could it be that she’s just been with us long enough that she’s getting too comfortable and getting bossy?  It’s very annoying and disappointing that she’s started this.  Depending on what is causing this, what can we do to stop it?

Thanks for your help!
Karen

Answer
Dear Karen,
Thanks for the question. It's amazing that a 3.5 dog can have such a huge personality, yes!?!

It's out of my expertise, but I've never heard of spaying being more or less dangerous depending on the dog's size. Check with your vet.

That being said, mounting has more to do with social communication and usually has nothing to do with hormones or sexual behaviors. Very young pups that are not sexually mature (under 6 months) mount each other during play and posturing exercises. It's not often that the behavior is related to reproduction.

You didn't mention exactly when the behavior occurs and that is going to be the most valuable clue as to her motivation. What is occurring immediately before she mounts and what happens immediately after she mounts?

In all likelihood she is mounting for attention or in response to a request. Does she know any obedience commands?  Obedience training is a method of establishing a language that both parties understand. It teaches dogs how to get what they want (Food, Attention and Touch or FAT) by behaving as we ask. And it teaches people how to control or manage the good stuff (like food, attention and touch) so that the dog is motivated to learn and motivated to cooperate.

Again, in all likelihood, Penny probably gets food attention and touch anytime. Like children, dogs that receive all the stuff they want without any behavioral requirements can become very bossy! Until Penny learns that the delivery of FAT is dependent or contingent upon her cooperative behavior, she has no reason to cooperate.

When she mounts, tell you mom to ignore her and walk away. Tell her to return in about 30-40 seconds, and then tell Penny to sit and down a few times in a row (3-5 sits and downs combined). Then you mom can give her attention.

In addition, increase Penny's exercise. Take her for walks, even though she might have access to a yard or patio. Walks stimulate dogs' minds and are better exercise than letting them out the back door for a while.

Throw her food bowl away, she should work for her food during training sessions or with food-dispensing toys. Get a puppy Kong, place some duct tape over the small end. Place a few very small treats and some dog kibble in the kong. Fill it up with water and just a bit of chicken broth. Place it in the freezer in a bowl or glass so that it stands upright and the water does not spill out. let it freeze.

Take it out later, remove the tape and give it to Penny (after she has performed a couple of sits and downs). She'll stay busy getting the goodies out of the kong and that will stimulate her brain and her body!

Teach Penny to fetch - this is a great game for exercise and it does not require that the people are fit as athletes!

Start an obedience program based on a reward system. Buy either or both of these books, Beginning Family Dog Training by Patricia McConnell - -  The Only Dog Training Book You Will Ever Need: From Avoiding Accidents to Banishing Barking, the Basics for Raising a Well-Behaved Dog
by Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz, Andrea Mattei.

Visit this web site, read and follow the instructions. It's about changing the owner dog-relationship and is excellent advice!
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00470.htm

Happy Training!
AT



Tell your mom to visit this site, read the information, follow the suggestions and in all