Asked on the Dog Forum by Anonymous on 2/10/02, 5:08 pm
Q: Mini Poodle
We have a female miniature poodle, 6 1/2 months old.
Often during play time, she will hump on my leg or
outstretched arm. Is this normal for a female and if so,
should we discourage this behavior or just ignore it?
Answered by Karen Peak on 2/10/02, 5:37 pm
A: Mini Poodle
Discourage the behavior. It is a sign of dominance and when she starts thid, give a firm AAAAH! AAAH! in a low and growly tone and tell her off. Then do soem obedience work with her to reinforce who is the pack head. Also, get her into a positively based obedience program to help in a fun way reinforce you as head and not her. Also simple things like having her sit before leashing up for walks, sitting at doors before going through, sitting before eating or doing some obedience before play and then stopping play, more work and play again are all subtle ways you can teach who is head and let her know in a fun but firn and fair manner she is not going to be boss. Also, no sleeping on your bed or being up on furniture until she knows her place in the pack.
Answered by AngelLover on 2/10/02, 8:05 pm
A: Mini Poodle
> We have a female miniature poodle, 6 1/2 months
> old.
> Often during play time, she will hump on my leg or
>
> outstretched arm. Is this normal for a female and
> if so,
> should we discourage this behavior or just ignore
> it?
>
>
I agree completely with Karen's answer. One other thing you should do is get her spayed, if she is not already.
Just like male dogs, female dogs show their dominance through "humping". If you have ever watched dogs in a pack, one female (the dominant) will top other females, or sometimes even top the males!
Spaying your dog will probably decrease this behavior, as it has in my dogs, but refer to Karen's answer. This behavior is not purely hormonal, and once an animal has started a behavior it's often hard to get them to stop.
