Dog Humping his teddy - how much is too much?

[SofieG]

Hello everyone,

My semi-senior 6 year old chihuahua mix Micky, used to hump his teddy every day with his past owner, but I felt it didnt affect his behavior positively, so I wouldnt let him have his teddy to do so often. He stopped doing it by himself. Whenever he got his teddy later on he/we would just play with it.

Now out of the blue he suddenly took it and felt the need to hump A LOT yesterday. Which I thought was fine. But then today again. and wanted to play around with me and started grabbing my arm and tried to hump it. He has never tried that before and I wonder what that means?

I redirected him to the teddy, but am surprised at how much he has done it yesterday and again today, despite having been on 2 long walks and 1 short one per day, where one of those walks was running tireslessly around on the beach for long over an hour both yesterday and today. We also played together during the day. And he still felt like humping more when we got home both today and yesterday.

I just wonder if you should let your dog hump his teddy and when is it too much?

And if he has a heart murmur grade 1-2 and possibly the beginning of enlarged heart, I was also wondering if there is such a thing as running around too much, playing or getting too excited?
I dont see any symptoms of his heart issues and he has a lot of energy, but wonder if I should be more conscientious in terms of exercise/excitement regarding his heart.

Much love, Sofie and Micky

 

[GinnyW]

I don't think it's going to hurt him to hump - unless he just strains a muscle or the like. BUT this is a sign of over-the-top male hormonal activity, and will respond to excellent homeopathic care. This can be true whether or not he has been neutered. And great homeopathic care should improve his heart issues as well. These issues are fairly common in dogs his age. Find an excellent homeopath and get him some peace and calm. I should emphasize that this requires comprehensive analysis and followup - not one remedy out of a drugstore bottle. We have a listing...

 

[Dr. Jeff]

I just wonder if you should let your dog hump his teddy and when is it too much?

Great question! If he enjoys it and it doesn't bother you then perhaps just let him do it. Especially if playing with you, a Therapeutic Sniff Walk, or feeding a Happy Meal doesn't stop the behavior.

Did you have Micky last spring at this time? He may just have spring fever (has spring sprung in Denmark?).

Humping can be related to male hormones, but females hump as well).

Does Micky have, or play with, any dog friends?

 

[DayshaG]

Great question! If he enjoys it and it doesn't bother you then perhaps just let him do it. Especially if playing with you, a Therapeutic Sniff Walk, or feeding a Happy Meal doesn't stop the behavior.

Did you have Micky last spring at this time? He may just have spring fever (has spring sprung in Denmark?).

Humping can be related to male hormones, but females hump as well).

Does Micky have, or play with, any dog friends?

I too wondered if this was Spring related. Also, over 20 years ago when I was living with my aunt at the time, her female brittany spaniel woke me up one night humping my leg. I had wondered if at the time it was because I was at a certain point in my menstrual cycle. Nevertheless it was not appreciated by me, haha!

 

[Dr. Christina]

A few things, Sophie.

My semi-senior 6 year old chihuahua mix Micky,
6 is a YOUNG chihuahua. i see them living to 25.


Now out of the blue he suddenly took it and felt the need to hump A LOT yesterday. Which I thought was fine. But then today again. and wanted to play around with me and started grabbing my arm and tried to hump it. He has never tried that before and I wonder what that means?

Because it is out of the blue I would pay attention, though not worry. As mentioned, it could be seasonal so check his journal (do start one if not doing it yet) for prior years.
Think about the context. We always emphasize this for any new concern. Have new dogs or cats moved in near by? Has there been a family change (remodel, new job, visitors, etc) that could have triggered a bit of anxiety? What is the phase of the moon.
Observe over the next few weeks as you implement some of the suggestions above.

Maybe use some rescue remedy or stress stopper, other flower essences, calming music, any energy healing (Reiki, WEBB, EFT, eden, etc) that our many webinars have covered. Keep a mind free of worry about this.

And if he has a heart murmur grade 1-2 and possibly the beginning of enlarged heart, I was also wondering if there is such a thing as running around too much, playing or getting too excited?
I dont see any symptoms of his heart issues and he has a lot of energy, but wonder if I should be more conscientious in terms of exercise/excitement regarding his heart.

I would not worry about exercise at this point, just observe. Be sure, while he is nice a and symptom free, to create your holistic health care team, including either a veterinary homeopath or great TCVM vet, maybe one who does chiro/osteo, energy healer, animal communicator, etc.

Be sure you have taken the 101 course, purchased some holistic/homeopathic/chinese medicine health care books and are availing yourself of all the general energy and health webinars we have at HA!

Dr. Christina