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The doghouse

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Original poster

Humping in the dog park - etiquette query.

105 replies

dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 19:50

My lovely little 5 month old intact male puppy started humping a female dog today in the dog park.
The owners were horrified. I apologized profusely and put my puppy back on a lead and kept him by my side until they left.
I realize that my puppy could be sexually mature and could impregnate a female dog but the owners acted as if their dog had been violated.

We have not decided when or if we will neuter our puppy when he’s older but in the meantime I wouldn’t want to upset dog owners with my randy puppy.

Any tips on how to play nice in the dog park? Should I keep a male dog on a lead at all times unless he’s neutered? TIA

OP posts:
Tatas · 30/03/2024 19:51

Keep your "randy" puppy on a lead away from other dogs or rent a dog field to have some off lead exercise 🐶

goldenretrievermum5 · 30/03/2024 19:53

It’s natural - nothing to be horrified about. As long as their bitch wasn’t on heat (during which time period she should be strictly on lead in quiet areas) there will be absolutely no issues. We go to a dog park supervised by proper trainers - our girl does tend to get humped by over excited boys occasionally but as long as she’s not getting upset by it and they’re not constantly bothering her we leave them to it. Can’t see why others are getting so upset - it’s not a violation, just animals going about their natural business. If they don’t want their bitch exposed to it then it’s on them to keep her away from dog parks.

hjrl · 30/03/2024 19:53

Well they were correct. It had been violated.

Not acceptable. Keep it on a lead as PP said or get neutered

goldenretrievermum5 · 30/03/2024 19:54

hjrl · 30/03/2024 19:53

Well they were correct. It had been violated.

Not acceptable. Keep it on a lead as PP said or get neutered

They’re dogs. It’s called nature.

Devilshands · 30/03/2024 19:54

They acted like their dog had been violated because dog sex is violent. It's painful for the bitch. REALLY painful. It's why many breeders use insemination.

Tbh, you're lucky they were just rude. If your dog had done it to one of mine...the result would have been far less pleasant. For both the dog and owners.

Neuter your dog.

The only people who shouldn't neuter their dogs are people who show and people who breed.

hjrl · 30/03/2024 19:55

@goldenretrievermum5 disagree. Its stress for the male dog, it's extremely painful for the bitch. What if they tie? How is OP going to deal with that?

21ZIGGY · 30/03/2024 19:55

Your dog wont limit this to females. My neutered male would go batshit crazy if your puppy did this to him. I dont want MY dog to be in this position because YOU failed to control your dog

21ZIGGY · 30/03/2024 19:57

goldenretrievermum5 · 30/03/2024 19:54

They’re dogs. It’s called nature.

Show quote history

Nope.

I feel sorry for your dog that you think she should put up with this

Original poster
dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 19:58

Are female dogs not able to consent?

This question is not meant to belittle the situation, but we’re not talking about human babies.

OP posts:
hjrl · 30/03/2024 19:58

@21ZIGGY exactly. Failure to control. I've had the same discussion with someone today walking a dog through pregnant sheep, ignoring no dogs signs, dog not on lead.

It's normal for a dog to run, they didn't attack the sheep.

Correct, but they did cause two to miscarry and you can't recall.

If you can't stop unwanted behaviour keep dog on the lead.

goldenretrievermum5 · 30/03/2024 19:58

hjrl · 30/03/2024 19:55

@goldenretrievermum5 disagree. Its stress for the male dog, it's extremely painful for the bitch. What if they tie? How is OP going to deal with that?

Bitch shouldn’t be out in a dog park if she’s in a fertile period. The boys never get ‘it’ in, our girl has never been upset by it and will continue to flirt with them afterwards..

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/03/2024 19:59

You need to either keep him on a lead or be ready to haul him off. Some female dogs may not care but others definitely find it frightening.

DominoRules · 30/03/2024 20:01

You could use a long line so he has some freedom but you can easily get him back if he starts to show too much interest…….

My dog gets really stressed if another dog humps him, as a lot of dogs do so it’s definitely something you want to sort out

Original poster
dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 20:01

Devilshands · 30/03/2024 19:54

They acted like their dog had been violated because dog sex is violent. It's painful for the bitch. REALLY painful. It's why many breeders use insemination.

Tbh, you're lucky they were just rude. If your dog had done it to one of mine...the result would have been far less pleasant. For both the dog and owners.

Neuter your dog.

The only people who shouldn't neuter their dogs are people who show and people who breed.

Thanks. According to our vet we would have to wait a few more months before we consider neutering.

OP posts:
NewYearNewJob2024 · 30/03/2024 20:05

I think you should keep him on a lead. I'd be furious if this happened to my dog (she is spayed), whether it's nature or not, it's not something I want my dog to have happen to her.

I am in the 'dogs should always be on a lead' camp. It's so annoying when other dogs bother her and aren't recall trained- she'll tolerate it for a while but then gets pretty fed up of being pestered.

Kosenrufugirl · 30/03/2024 20:06

The bitch shouldn't be without a very close supervision when on heat. Definitely on the lead. We haven't neutered our boy either. He is the only dog in our local park who hasn't put on weight. He used to hump as a puppy. He is almost 2 and stopped long time ago

Original poster
dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 20:08

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/03/2024 19:59

You need to either keep him on a lead or be ready to haul him off. Some female dogs may not care but others definitely find it frightening.

Thanks. To clarify, I grabbed him off her a few seconds after he had tried to mount her.
I guess my question is- should male intact dogs ever be allowed off lead around female dogs?
Our previous dog was a bitch and we never took her out around other dogs when she was in heat and we had her sterilized as soon as our vet gave us the green light.

OP posts:
Rocknrolla21 · 30/03/2024 20:09

Your dogs off lead shagging other dogs in the park and serious pissing people off, but you’ve not decided whether to neuter yet?

Idontknowwhattodo78 · 30/03/2024 20:11

Jesus! Why would you not neuter your dog? I agree, wait until he’s old enough, but until then, keep him on a lead. No dog, ever, wants to be humped by a random dog on a walk. Would your dog like it if a random dog leapt on his back? I’m going with no. Keep him on a lead, neuter him then teach him appropriate recall. And know that having his nuts off won’t stop him humping random dogs. For a lot of dogs, it’s a dominance thing and they will do it even after they are spayed/neutered. It’s up to YOU to control that!

Original poster
dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 20:12

Kosenrufugirl · 30/03/2024 20:06

The bitch shouldn't be without a very close supervision when on heat. Definitely on the lead. We haven't neutered our boy either. He is the only dog in our local park who hasn't put on weight. He used to hump as a puppy. He is almost 2 and stopped long time ago

Thanks so much. According to our vet humping is age related rather than being related to whether a dog is neutered or not.
I’m glad to hear that your dog has stopped! Our vet has asked us to carefully consider neutering considering the health risks and the fact that our puppies temperament is lovely.

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/03/2024 20:12

I guess my question is- should male intact dogs ever be allowed off lead around female dogs?

Most intact male dogs can, but if your dog is in a phase where he just humps everything in sight, then no. Also obviously nobody should bring a female in heat to a dog park, and this female will not have been in heat - if she was, every male dog in the park would have been after her, and your puppy wouldn't have got anywhere near her.

Original poster
dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 20:13

The dog is too young to be neutered.

OP posts:
TimesChangeAgain · 30/03/2024 20:13

If the bitch is in heat it’s 100% their responsibility to keep her away from other dogs.

I think people over anthropomorphise this…

Nevertheless, if this was a one off for yours it was a one off. If it reoccurs you need to control your dog and prevent it, whether that be a proper recall command that works in all situations, or keeping him on a long lead.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 30/03/2024 20:14

I’d keep my dog on a long line. You can’t neuter for 18mths -2years due to joints? Timeframes may have changed, I’ve had my dog for years.

My dog would be very angry if he were mounted as he has arthritis. You must control your dog.

Original poster
dylexicdementor11 · 30/03/2024 20:15

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/03/2024 20:12

I guess my question is- should male intact dogs ever be allowed off lead around female dogs?

Most intact male dogs can, but if your dog is in a phase where he just humps everything in sight, then no. Also obviously nobody should bring a female in heat to a dog park, and this female will not have been in heat - if she was, every male dog in the park would have been after her, and your puppy wouldn't have got anywhere near her.

Thanks for your helpful comment. To clarify, this was the first time my puppy humped a dog in the park and I got him under control immediately.

OP posts: