“Why do bitches hobble?” It’s a question that humans have asked themselves forever, or at least since antiquated ideas of the gender hierarchy gripped the feverish notions of humanity. However, the question isn’t dirty as the reasons for bitches humping are varied. So why do bitches hobble? First of all, rest assured that humpping is a perfectly natural and common activity in both male and female dogs.
Bitches also have the same range of things as males, including legs, pillows, dog beds, and other bitches. Humping, also known as mounting, is a learned activity that often takes root long before reaching sexual maturity. Humping, pelvic thrusting, or licking the genital area can indicate playfulness, desire, and stress. They can also point out any medical or behavioral problems that you need to address together.
Why do bitches hobble? Let’s talk about sex first
Why do bitches hobble? Photography by Smit / Shutterstock.
As strange as you may find it, bitches actually hunch their backs. Puppies, both males and females, have been observed to engage in humpback or climbing activities by the age of six weeks. By the time they reach the age of sexual maturity – between one year and two years old – increasing behaviors appear to be primarily related to playful sex education. As a sexual activity, the montage can be mitigated by a combination of constant, positive training and spaying or neutering your puppies.
For the vast majority of adult dogs that have been spayed or neutered, humpback behavior can still serve what we consider a sexual purpose, which is autoerotic pleasure. Yes, that’s right, dogs, both men and women, can and do masturbate. Humping is a learned behavior that they enjoy in addition to licking or chewing their genital areas. Restraint can prevent a dog from successfully reproducing, but it does not remove the joy or relief he feels during the course of genital stimulation.
Bitch humping can come from boredom and stress relief
Do you leave your dog alone for a long time? Does she have enough toys and other distractions to get her through the day? If not, another answer to the question, “Why do bitches hobble?” could be boredom or stress reliever. Just as some dogs bark, bite, whine, howl, tear sofa cushions or shoes when they feel neglected, so do other dogs hobble in response to boredom or extreme stress.
If your dog, whether female or male, is habitually humble, consider establishing a stricter, more regular schedule of walking, running, or interactive play. Keeping yourself busy with your dog and giving him a routine can eliminate boredom or fear as a reason for them to hobble objects, people, and other dogs.
Bitches humping can be due to medical or behavioral problems
If your bitch is limping everything in sight, especially if it starts abruptly and is not an occasional or habitual activity, it may be a symptom of a bigger problem. In these cases, you should see a veterinarian. Physical pain caused by urination problems or a urinary tract infection can be relieved or alleviated by adding anything on hand. Excessive licking or chewing in the genital area can also indicate problems urinating or urinary tract infections.
Do you have a dog who has lived in a shelter for a long time or who may have come from an abusive or neglectful home? Bitches humping can also be a response to poor socialization or other stressful conditions. Bitches who routinely hobble in social situations – for example, at the dog park or when a new person visits your home – may have behavioral issues that a trainer can address.
Bitch humping can come from the force of habit
The habitual and incorrect assumption about hunching is that it is a male-centered activity designed to establish dominance. In adult and older dogs, especially in households with multiple dogs or in the wild, humping can serve social purposes or strengthen hierarchies. For any other dog, the answers to “Why do female dogs hobble?” are as varied as the reasons why people chew their fingernails. When it’s not constant, repetitive, or disruptive, humpping is a natural canine activity.
As with any behavior in female and male dogs, humping is learned either through frequent repetition, external encouragement, or a lack of warning. If you have a puppy and their humpback behavior is met with laughter or simply not discouraged, dogs are not going to learn that humpping is a disturbing or undesirable behavior.
Tell us: Have you owned male or female dogs who made it a habit to hump? How did you deal with it? Share your experiences with your fellow readers!
Is your dog a frequent victim of another dog’s hump? Find out what to do here >>
This piece was originally released in 2014.
Preview: Photography by Jenn_C / Shutterstock.
About the author
Melvin Peña is a writer, editor, and social media manager who spends most of his time in Durham, North Carolina. His interests include his dog baby (of course!), Arts, hiking, urban farming, and karaoke.
