Pet Corner

Anne Hendrickson owns Downtown Dogs, Dog Daycare and Boarding. She lives in Minneapolis with her three canine companions Riley, Ralphie, and Cobie.

For more information on Downtown Dogs Minneapolis call (612) 374-DOGS or E-mail:
  On an evening walk my friend Heather and I stopped off at the dog park to let my dog Riley get a little off leash running in. "Oh no," I said as soon as we entered. "It's a beagle."

"Huh?" Heather replied, but Riley had already started. His behavior would have got him escorted out of most clubs by the bouncer.

"Sorry…" I called out to the beagle's owner.

Before I could finish the owner said "I know, I know. He likes beagles." Riley's reputation at the park preceded him.

Trainers rarely address this seemingly lewd behavior, not because it's an uncomfortable topic but because it is relatively harmless and not real interesting academically.

But everyone wonders and has theories about why dogs do it, so, what the heck; let's drag it out in the open.

Let's look at our dog's free love habits from a scientific standpoint.

We know that the animals in a species that can survive and reproduce the most effectively are the ones whose genetics prevail and shape the ever evolving species. Evolutionary biologists have determined that there are four factors that weigh in to how effectively an animal can spur on its genetics. These are referred to as the "4Fs".
The four Fs are:
•Fight
•Flight
•Feeding and, um,
•Mating

Because the animals who do the "4Fs" the best are the ones whose genes are carried on, the "4Fs" are fairly hardwired into most animals. Most of what dogs do is a rehearsal for one of the 4Fs and this is not surprising from an evolutionary biology standpoint.

Note that much dog play consists of crouching, stalking, chasing and wrestling. This is a pretty obvious rehearsal for flight, fight, and hunting (feeding). So, it is not surprising that dogs rehearse mating as well through out the course of their social interaction and play. That's right folks. They're "just playing".

If your dog "rehearses" it is nothing more than an instinctive interaction. But, it is still considered unseemly behavior by some dogs. (Particularly when it happens to them). Sometimes a dog jumps up in that, uh, way as an instigation to play. As the other dog turns around in annoyance they spring off and start running, or grab the dog's neck as they turn their head and proceed to take them down in a sneak attack.

I see it as the equivalent of pulling a playmate's braids (or something else annoying and bratty) and then running off in hopes that the target will come squealing and chasing after you. It's a provocation and it almost always works.

Is it about dominance?
There's really no telling what is going on in the brain of a dog, but I find it unlikely. In my experience the dogs that do it the most are not generally social climbers or alpha dogs. I was at my dog Cobie's 1 year litter reunion and the most submissive dog in the pack was also by far the biggest "lover boy". The other dogs were allowing it because he was too insignificant to bother with. There is a certain attitude and air of confidence (and indifference) that goes with being an alpha dog. Most of the "chronic offenders" I see don't have this confidence and don't show much evidence of having (or seeking) much status in the pack.

Is it about mating?
It certainly looks that way at first glance. We know it is at a minimum a rehearsal for reproductive activity, but is it gratifying to the dogs? My money's on "yes". If it didn't feel good, they wouldn't keep doing it. Further, physical signs of excitement are often notable in the males, to phrase it delicately. Some males even develop a condition known as priapism. (Anyone who's worked at a vet clinic or dog daycare knows what this is. Feel free to look this up if you don't. If I explain it I'll get censored for sure.)

Does neutering help?
In my experience it definitely does. It is unlikely to stop the behavior all together. After watching hundreds of dogs interact for hundreds of hours, I have noticed significantly more "rehearsals" from intact males than neutered males. I would guess the sex hormones drive the dog's inclination to rehearse reproduction. So, neutering your dog can decrease the risk that he will greet your company or other dogs with a mating rehearsal. But, it will not completely eliminate the instinct to practice their reproductive skills.

What should I do?
If your dog's target is a human they should definitely be interrupted. This is undignified for everyone involved and very poor manners on the part of your dog. If the dog is on top of another dog it kind of depends. Personally I always interrupt the behavior. However, many people let it go on and their dogs don't seem any worse for the ware.