Chihuahua Information Center
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Is it Normal for Puppies to Hump?
We received a question from a Chihuahua owner of a male Chi. The owner was concerned regarding the issue their puppy humping and wondered if it was normal for puppies to hump. We have place the Q & A here, hoping that it will be of help to other owners.
Question:I have a 5 week old puppy and his behavior is worrying me. He humps everything in sight and he is so young. He is still with his litter so he most often humps the other pups, both males and females! I know that older male dogs will do this but is it normal for a pup so young to be doing this? And to both genders?
Hello....It is true that many people assume that older male dogs may show serious humping behavior, particularly if they are not neutered. However, it is not uncommon for a young puppy to hump.
Puppies begin to learn to walk between the ages of 2 and 3 weeks old. At this time, some will begin humping as well.
Why do they do this? It is suggested by many animal behavior experts that this is an action that the pup takes to show dominance. All dogs think of themselves as being in a pack. When they are little, their pack is their littermates. When they are older, their pack is normally their human family and any other animals that are in the household.
So, even at this young age, your puppy is most likely trying to show dominance over his siblings in an attempt to show that he is the leader of the pack. This is not an act of mating or trying to "tie"...It is his way of trying to take his place as the Alpha dog. For this reason, it is normal for him to be doing this to both genders.
Most puppies in a litter will work out their place in the pack by themselves, and that is natural. When he is just a bit older, around 8 weeks old, you can begin to teach him commands such as "sit" and "stop" and implement those to command him to stop his behavior.
Also, he may stop on his own, as soon he will learn that you, the human, are the true Alpha and the leader over the Chi's. If this pup or any other show reluctance to accept that, you can instill this in them by always entering and exiting the home before the dog, by teaching commands, by not allowing the dog to eat until they have obeyed the "sit" command.
If their behavior is out of control you can send a strong message by gently placing them on their backs and gently placing your hand on their tummy to hold them still... In that position they are very vulnerable....The puppy will struggle and then when they see that it is futile, they will stay very still and that is the signal that means that they have submitted to you and essentially are saying, "okay! YOU are the leader!".
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