It is common for puppies to reach puberty at about six to eight months of age, and sexual maturity is usually observed on dogs around nine months of age or older. A puppy that is humping at 12 weeks old is likely to have many psychological factors to consider in addition to sexual maturity.
Around 10 to 12 weeks of age is when most dogs begin marking their territory. The fact that humping dogs aren’t always dominant doesn’t mean they are being assertive.
It is common for dogs to hump when they want to know how they stand within the pack. It is most likely just playful behavior if your underage dogs take turns humping on one another.
Most often, hump-related behavior in puppies can simply be caused by stress, overexcitement, or excessive energy, rather than a way for them to assert their dominance. While some puppies stop non-sexual humping with maturity, others need a reminder that humping is not okay. Like wagging their tails, they do it to relax and express themselves.
Before scrolling down this guide “Puppy Humping at 12 Weeks – Is This Normal,” check out: Why is My Female Puppy Humping? (2023) and Why Do Dogs Hump The Air? (2023).
Do Puppies Hump At 12 Weeks?
Young puppies can start to hump or mount as early as 12 weeks old. Usually, this behavior occurs once or twice a day for dogs under six months old. It’s okay to let your puppy do that if it doesn’t last too long and doesn’t seem to offend anyone in your home.
Dopamine is released during this behavior, so it can become addictive over time. Often, if your dog is stressed or overexcited, it will exhibit this behavior constantly in order to relieve its stress. Using early training as a way to reduce or eliminate humping is the best option if it occurs more than four to five times per day.
Approximately six to 12 months after its birth, your dog will enter puberty. Sexual desire is the first motivation for humping at this point. You can expect your dog to hump objects, other dogs, and even people due to the hormones in his system.
Is It Normal for a 3 Month Old Puppy to Hump Things?
Puppies mount and hump as part of their play. Puppies that have not yet reached puberty do not understand humping as sexual behavior. The dogs behave the same way when barking and growling at each other (without meaning aggression) or shaking toys in their mouths (without intending to harm them).
The practice of mating during play is thought to be hardwired into some puppies, as a preparation for the more serious business that is to come.
The energy puppies possess is beyond their control. There is often a flitting between activities, as they lose interest in one thing then move on to another in a very short period of time. Some puppies use humping as another way of channeling their energy.
Humping can also be interpreted as an expression of overexcitement by some behaviorists. It is common for dogs to greet people in a very physical way. It’s common for puppies to jump all over new visitors when they’re excited about them.
It’s not uncommon for puppies to perform both jumping up and humping behaviors at the same time. Excitable puppies are prone to jumping up at people, but when they hump them, they are simply expressing their emotions.
Excessive humping has also been linked to increased aggressive behavior in other species, and it has been hypothesized that they are biologically related. Fear is also a driving force behind most dog aggression. When scared, puppies very rarely use aggression (why pick a fight they can’t win?) but instead may use other coping mechanisms to distract themselves, such as humping.
Dogs can form an abnormal relationship with humping, and can no longer stop themselves from doing it. If stressed or anxious humping continues, it can become compulsive humping.
At What Age Do Male Puppies Hump?
The first sign of humping in a male dog is usually the beginning of humping at the age of one year, although it can begin as early as three to six weeks for non-sexual causes and six months for sexual causes. Male dogs reach sexual maturity at six months of age and begin lifting their legs for urination.
Male puppies do tend to hump at a younger age and more often than female puppies. This is because they are driven by nature to do so and it occurs naturally for them. There is some evidence that shows puppies even make humping motions in the womb. When they are born they may hump each other or even the blankets or toys that are in their whelping boxes.
It turns to mounting once the puppies are old enough to stand and walk and they may seek out toys or other puppies to mount or hump. Once they reach sexual maturity, they will hump to mate or to show dominance over other dogs.
Do Male Dogs Hump At 3 Months?
The sexual maturity of a dog is usually marked by the start of humping. As early as six months might be appropriate for a small breed. It may take larger breeds longer than one year to reach sexual maturity.
Sexual maturity may not be reached before you notice this behavior. This behavior is almost certainly a result of your younger puppy exploring their dominance and strength and is just a way to play around. There is no hormonal reason for the behavior at this point.
What Should I Do When My Puppy Humps Things?
Dogs hump for various reasons, many of which are not sexually motivated.
Overexcitement or anxiety usually causes humping. You can settle your puppy or dog by sending him or her to their time-out spot, ensuring there are no toys nearby, and not paying attention to them during this time. When your puppy doesn’t mount again after a few minutes, treat them or praise them.
Dogs that hump things may be stressed or overexcited, so distract them with a toy or teach them a learned cue, such as sitting or lying down, and reward them after they follow it. In order to keep your pets from becoming too stressed and acting out, routines and relaxing environments are essential.
It can also be fun to play an energetic outside game. You can alleviate the humping by extending your dog’s daily exercise routine. Your dog can become worn out if you incorporate adequate exercise into their daily routine, depending on their breed.
Don’t be afraid to try new types of exercise with your dog. This will keep him distracted and less likely to become bored if you do the same types of walks or exercise each time.
How Early Do Puppies Hump?
During the first to eighth week of a puppy’s life, it is normal for them to start to hump.
Puppy play might be a sign of excitement or playful behavior, but it might also be a sign of canine sexual behavior. Young puppies often hump on the floor and while sleeping and can do so anywhere.
There is no need to be alarmed by this phenomenon — it is a natural occurrence. When excited, humpers have a tendency to play more frequently and vigorously with toys than other puppies. There’s no minimum age for a puppy to start humping and some puppies may not demonstrate this behavior at all until they are older and ready to mate.
Frequently Asked Questions
To avoid solidifying bad habits, you should stop your puppy from humping another dog, even if it’s just playing.
Dogs can and will continue to hump even after the procedure.
There is a common misconception that neutering will calm down an excitable dog, but the procedure generally does not change a dog’s behavior, for better or worse.
Conclusion for “Puppy Humping at 12 Weeks – Is This Normal”
When a female dog is not spayed or desexed, she may hump often. The first season of female puppies usually occurs between six and 12 months of age. It can still be considered just a matter of female dogs honing their social skills and asserting their social dominance.
Dominance is shown by dogs mounting. Dogs will usually do this when they feel safe in a situation or if they don’t see the owner deterring them from doing so. Occasionally, he will mount to indicate discomfort, such as when his ears or teeth are bothering him.
Especially in larger breed dogs, mounting is used to communicate alpha status. If your dog does not display any other signs of aggression or dominance, then there should be no concern.
There is nothing abnormal about dogs mouthing each other. As long as the dog is less than six months old, playing with its owners or siblings, being curious, or even bored or frustrated, it shouldn’t be considered a sign of dominance.
If you find this guide, “Puppy Humping at 12 Weeks – Is This Normal,” check out:
- 6 Common Signs Your Dog Needs to Be Neutered! (2023)
- How to Calm a Dog in Heat! (2023)
- Why Is My Dog Sad After Spaying? What You Need to Know! (2023)
Learn more about puppy humping by watching “What Should I Do? My Puppy Is Humping, Biting And Mouthing Me!” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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