DeerhoundLover Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Help! My little puppy has started a weird behaviour. He takes my foot in his mouth (ever so gently) and stands there doing rooting movements. Is this a normal part of his development, and should I refrain from discouraging it, because it is kind of yucky even though he doesn't actually mount my leg or anything. But if it is a necessary part of his development I will put up with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 (edited) DHL, I'll ask the standard question I ask any puppy owner when they talk about behaviour: Is this something you'd want him to be doing as a fully grown dog? If not, then discourage it. Puppies generally don't grow out of behaviour they continue to find rewarding or enjoyable, despite what people will tell you. That goes for mouthing, excited barking at you, jumping up, humping and other 'charming' puppy habits. Edited April 17, 2008 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeerhoundLover Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 That's a really good point that I hadn't thought of. Can you suggest how I might gently discourage it without being too harsh? He is only a tiny baby. And if I do, it won't hinder him from engaging in sexual relations when he is adult will it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) That's a really good point that I hadn't thought of. Can you suggest how I might gently discourage it without being too harsh? He is only a tiny baby. And if I do, it won't hinder him from engaging in sexual relations when he is adult will it? At his age DHL, the behaviour is more likely to be dominance, rather than sexually motivated. How to discourage.. a quick "aaaaggghhh". praise when he stops and divert into an acceptable game or mouthing an acceptable object like a toy might be good. Dogs know we ain't dogs.. just cos he isn't allowed to hump you doesn't mean he won't try to hump dogs. Is this a breeding dog we are talking about? Edited April 18, 2008 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Hi Deerhoundlover Lots of pups carry on like this (well, maybe not the foot in the mouth at the same time bit, but the humping). Just gently discourage him, maybe distract him with something else like a fav toy. It's nothing to worry about, but as pf said you don't want a grown dog doing it so don't let him get into the habit. If he is a Deerie we DO expect photos to be posted in the sighthound thread in the breed sub-forums. It's compulsory that we get the chance to ooh and aaah over a cute 9 week old deerhound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♫♥♪ Kalonu ♪♥♫ Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I agree with poodlefan and its a dominant thing rather then a sexual thing, When my male lab was younger he would do this to my leg and I would use "the tone" ,Just as poodlefan said a deep kind of "agghhh" then i follow with the word No after . My whole family use "the tone" when its needed so that our dogs dont try to dominante them either, I found it best if everyone stays consistent so as not to confuse our dogs . And we use that tone with anything we dont want the dogs to do so they know its an "ut oh cant do that" thing LOL My kids laugh cause I speak the same way to the dogs as I did my children when they were toddlers. As far as the sexual realtions being hindered later in life, I dont think to much can stop a dog if he is in the company of a female in heat , they kinda have one track minds then LOL Good luck with your puppy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeerhoundLover Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 Thank you so much PF. I really don't want to have to smack him and the 'arrgggh' sounds just like what I use for my cats. Diva I am sorry, I didn't realise pictures were obligatory as I am new to the forum. I will get one up as soon as I can get my husband to upload them, today he has flown to Adelaide taking the camera. I wonder if 'arrggghh' would work on him? :rolleyes: He is a Deerhound and utterly dropdead gorgeous (the puppy not my husband). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Well they aren't really obligatory of course, we just like them! And baby deerhounds are so very sweet it would be selfish not to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Humping is almost like a baby taking its' first step but it's not an awwwwwwww moment LOL I just did the growly voice and he got over after a wee while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeerhoundLover Posted April 20, 2008 Author Share Posted April 20, 2008 Pictures are now in the sighthound thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now