[cld22]

Ok so here is the situation. My dog, Buddy is a wonderful dog...but this behavior drives me crazy. Most owners stand around and say "He's fine it's a boy thing. " IMO it doesn't have to do with that,I've seen females do it too. I don't think it's a behavior to be allowed. 90% of the time he doesn't display this behavior. He mostly just sniffs and roams around. Anyway I was just curious if there was anything I could do to thwart him from doing this? When I see him doing this I typically walk over and tell him "off" and then he walks away. He loves the park since it's so huge and he can be off leash. I feel bad leaving him behind when I take my other dog I don't go when it's crowded and try to get a feel for the other dogs and owners before I go in. Have you had your dog do this, if so what have you done if anything? As a dog owner of the other dog what would you do? He's had dogs growl at him and then he leaves them alone but I'm not sure about the work it scenario all the time. Thanks!

 

[annageckos]

It's often a stress thing when dogs hump, or they are over stimulated. Vegas will hump when he is stressed or over stimulated, he doesn't go to the dog park anymore. Some dogs really hate being humped and it can cause fights.

 

[jagger]

Our Pin humps a small female once in a while, doesn't happen very often, not going anywhere as he's neutered. It's dog behavior as long as it's not happening all the time. In our pins case, it's not stress.

Generally it involves a correction from the female he's mounted and I don't need to interfere. The correction has come in the form of a growl, or a nip - the female is saying I don't like this and I allow the correction to happen. Much more efficient when the correction comes from another dog.


It can definitely be stress related as mentioned. Only you can tell if your dog is stressed by something at the park.

 

[Okeedoke22]

My dog sometimes humps certain dogs when he is excited. He only does it to certain dogs. 1 being a chow chow that does not care the least bit so he keeps on. I just walk away with him when he does that. He did it to his good buddy (Akita) once and Zeus quickly corrected Him and he never did it again.

We brought him to the dog park the 1st time this weekend and I just tire him out a little first before going. Just to be safe. He was a pure gentlemen.

Now 1 dog (shiba) just absolutely kept humping him. Owner kept pulling him off and he kept going back. My dog didn't care the least bit. If he would have corrected him he might have stopped.

It can start fights so you have to be careful. Maybe just leave, let him calm down and then re-enter.

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

When people hear the word "stress," they associate it with negative emotions. But stress can be good (eustress) or bad (distress) and can result from excitement, arousal, and stimulation. So it makes complete sense that a lot of dogs hump at dog parks. They could be having a lot of fun and still be stressed.

Another thing is a lot of socially awkward dogs will hump for attention or during play because they don't know a better way to get the other dog to interact with them.

Also, some dogs hump sexually, either hormones are involved (adolescent male, female in heat, etc) or they've found it feels good (masturbating).

I would not wait for the other dog to correct your dog for a couple of reasons.
1) Some dogs might not mind being humped or some might give a quick correction, but others might be insecure or aggressive and full out attack your dog. This doesn't happen out of no where and if you're experienced with reading dog body language you can tell what the dog being humped is going to do, but a lot of people aren't very good at that so it's best just to end anything before it starts.
2) The dog being humped might be uncomfortable but too insecure/submissive to tell the humper off. It would be nice to step in for a dog like that.

 

[cld22]

Thanks for all the info!