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Is Dog Mounting A Sign Of Dominance? 7 Facts

Is Dog Mounting A Sign Of Dominance

You’re at your wit’s end.

Your dog is mounting other dogs at the park. And maybe humans.

Is your dog spayed or neutered?

Then their behavior must be confusing you even more.

Could it be a sign of dominance? Wonder no more and…

Continue reading to find out:

  • 7 facts about dog mounting.
  • What you can do to minimize your pooch humping.
  • Whether or not dog mounting is a sign of dominance.
  • And this is just the beginning…

Is dog mounting a sign of dominance?

Dog mounting isn’t a sign of dominance. It’s a way your canine tries to take your attention. This behavior may also indicate stress, sexual arousal, and excitement. Dogs who were not properly socialized will exhibit mounting, too. Your canine may also have learned this behavior from others.


Is dog mounting a sign of dominance – 7 facts


#1: They’re bullying others

Let’s cut to the chase. Mounting doesn’t mean your dog wants to dominate. In fact, research says, canines do not have social status in their pack.

Domestic dogs don’t strive to be the “alpha.” But they can have bullying tendencies. And one of the ways they do this is mounting.

It’s a sign that your canine has an aggressive temperament. They may even do the following to other dogs:

  • Stealing toys and food.
  • Pinning others to the ground.
  • Pushing dogs away constantly.
  • Annoying canines who don’t want to play.
  • Putting their paws on the head or the shoulders of other dogs.

Dogs also don’t want to “dominate” their parents. Especially if you’re good and loving. However, they can still show bullying behaviors towards you.

If you see these actions, don’t retaliate. Some fur parents punish their dogs. I know it can be annoying at times. And other people may even snap at their canines.

As much as you can, control your emotions.

Punishing your pooch will intensify their aggression. And it will make matters worse.

“What can I do, then?”

Try these tips:

Tip #1: When your pooch gets aggressive, talk in a gentle and calming way. This can ease up the situation.

Tip #2: Use toys to distract your canine. But don’t give these to your dog. Doing so can reinforce aggression and will make them do it more.

Tip #3: If your dog calms down, give them treats. This will reinforce the peaceful behavior they’re showing.

Tip #4: Take your dog to the vet. Medical professionals are better at assessing a dog’s behavior. They can create specific training routines to modify your canine’s behavior. 

And change it along the way as they progress.

#2: Playful behavior

Dogs do a lot of silly things. Mounting while playing is one of them. While it may look like sexual behavior, it’s not always the case.

And guess what, playful behavior like mounting is pretty common. Especially between young dogs. Those who are 1 year old and below.

If the mounting is in a playful context, then it most likely is a play behavior. Just watch this pooch trying to mount their friend:

It’s sure to be a playful action if you also see these in your dog:

  • Barking very loudly.
  • Having loose actions.
  • Showing a wide smile.
  • Displaying the “play bow.”
  • Taking turns in play biting.

What canines usually do is take turns in mounting. And this playful behavior happens between adults, too.

Dr. Landsberg also mentions playful mounting is done by both males and females. 

Sometimes, it may look inappropriate to use humans. But to dogs, it isn’t. Our social construct is different from canines. And we, therefore, have different communal rules.

Check out next: 13 Strange Reasons Why Your Dog Humps Your Cat + 5 Tips

#3: Sign of sexual arousal

Dog Mounting Is A Sign Of Sexual Arousal

Sometimes, your dog might just be sexually aroused. And that’s why they’d try to hump other canines. This can happen more to male dogs.

You’ll maybe see this when you’re out. Your dog is happily strutting with you. Then they suddenly stop and go near a female canine.

Then the mounting and humping begin.

One probable cause of this is that the female dog is in heat. They release pheromones and hormones to attract male canines. And for your baby boy, it’s irresistible.

This can also happen even if your pooch is inside your home. Their noses are very sensitive and can easily pick up scents.

Or you may have petted a female dog in heat. And then brought their scent with you back home.

In some cases, your fur baby might just be sexually frustrated. They want to start mating but don’t have a partner.

If this happens, they’ll usually mount anything. Your leg, your cat (if you have one), maybe even your boyfriend.

#4: Symptom of a medical condition

If your dog is mounting excessively, then you might wanna take them to the vet. Your dog might be in pain. And mounting is a way to relieve it.

The behavior can be directed towards you. Or any other object or animal they see. 

If the mounting is caused by a medical issue, it’s usually related to their genitals. You should also see if your dog is:

One of the most common issues canines have is UTI. And this medical condition can cause pain in your fur baby. It affects several animals, too.

According to research, the cause of UTI between dogs and cats is similar. And it is mainly brought by bacteria.

The study shows that 47% of UTI are caused by E. Coli. 24% is brought by gram-positive cocci. Another 24% is from other gram-negative bacteria. And 5% is caused by Mycoplasma.

Here are some signs of UTI you need to look for:

  • Fever.
  • Vomiting.
  • Lethargy.
  • Walking stiffly.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Blood in their urine.

If your dog has this illness, your vet will most likely give them antibiotics. It’s also beneficial if you increase their water intake.

It can be hard to make your dog drink fluids. Especially while they’re sick. But there are tricks you can do to make your dog drink more water.

#5: Sign of excitement

A surge of emotions can make a dog fidgety. It can happen when they see something unfamiliar to them.

Or when they see a person your dog loves. They just get too excited. And as a way to show it, they start mounting.

Your dog will also mount if they see their furry friends. They do this along with other usual signs of initiating play. I’ve listed these in #2.

Generally, if you see your dog mount randomly, they’re just excited. And they typically do other “random” things, too such as:

  • Pacing.
  • Jumping.
  • Running around.
  • Panting excessively.

Excitement may also be caused by food. You might see this during meal times. Your pooch goes crazy when it’s feeding time.

Further reading: 17 Reasons Why Dogs (Suddenly) Act Crazy + Dangers & Tips

#6: Indication of a poorly socialized dog

Mounting can also be a sign that your dog doesn’t go out much. They’re not used to seeing the environment. And this can cause them to either panic or be overly aroused.

I don’t mean in a sexual way. Stimulations such as noise, light, and smells can arouse a dog’s hyper-ness.

And this usually happens if a dog wasn’t socialized while young. According to research, socialization should start a few days after birth.

But, make sure that you do what’s appropriate for your dog’s age. The AKC suggests:

Suggestion #1: You should guide newly born pups while they walk. Allow them to explore their surroundings. Your breeder usually does this. This is for fur parents whose dogs just gave birth.

Suggestion #2: Slowly introduce sounds, smells, and textures to your dog. Let them walk on different items. Grass, ceramic tiles, and soil are all good examples.

Suggestion #3: Keep the atmosphere light and positive. You don’t want to startle your pooch. This can make them scared of exploring.

Suggestion #4: Bring them outside. But only do this if your pup has already explored their immediate surroundings.

Warning: Make sure your dog has completed their preventive shots. Vaccines can help them be immune to fatal diseases. And your pooch may pick some up while socializing.

#7: Learned behavior

Your dog is a smart creature. They’re able to absorb information from their surroundings. And they do it pretty quickly.

If you have other dogs, your pooch may have learned a lot of things from them. 

Just watch this fur baby encourage another pup how to go down the stairs:

Another behavior your pooch could learn from other dogs is mounting.

Or maybe they’ve seen your other canines mate. Or while playing, your dog got mounted by their siblings.

This behavior can also be observed in the park. Especially ones where fur parents hang out. Most dogs there love to play with each other. And since mounting is also a play behavior, your pooch could’ve learned it there.