There are many uncomfortable behaviors that our animals perform, such as when the dog mounts other dogs, legs, toys or stuffed animals. But what happens when we have a dog that rides a stuffed animal? And not to mention if the chosen one is one of our children. How to explain to him that this behavior annoys us, makes us uncomfortable and perhaps is not appropriate in a work meeting at home, where the situation is… Much more uncomfortable!
But why does this happen? Why does a dog want to ride a stuffed animal? These are behaviors that we can usually observe but do not always understand. In this article on our site we will try to clear up all your doubts and explain the "strange" behavior of your cute little dog. Why does my dog ride a stuffed animal? Find out below:
Let's talk about sex in pets
Until reaching the age of sexual maturity we can observe both females and males performing the same mounting behaviors, this can occur between the year and 2 years of life. We could say that it is "physiological" and will tend to decrease and even disappear when they begin their adult life.
Not everything is sex, there are different causes to which this behavior can be attributed to our little ones. Without knowing the exact circumstances for which this behavior may be occurring, either because of the family environment or your lifestyle, it will be very difficult for us to determine the cause of the mounting, but we will give a list of causes that may be influencing:
- Stress and anxiety: it is the main cause in most cases, especially when faced with a situation that the dog cannot handle. It can happen by forcing him to some training that he does not want and even forcing him to do certain things. Lack of walks, unwanted visitors, a negative encounter with another dog, and even an excessive fight can also cause stress. In these cases it is taken as a response or also called "exhaust valve" in situations that cause a lot of stress. It is very important to know how to identify the signs of stress in the dog.
- Games and fun: sometimes it is just a game associated with the high level of excitement caused by the activity. Remember that hyperactive or very excitable dogs should use toys that help them relax, as is the case with the kong for dogs, an excellent and highly recommended toy.
- Sexual conduct: is the most common reason and many times we forget it or try to find another cause when faced with a purely sexual event. This occurs in both males and females, unneutered or neutered. We must understand that this is normal and natural behavior, which should not cause discomfort or inconvenience.
- Various pathologies: there are some diseases that can alter a dog's hormone levels, causing this type of behavior to appear. Consulting with a specialist is essential.
Why does she bother us so much?
- Modesty
- Uncontrolled
- Unsafety
- Fear of obsession
- Stress
How to prevent my dog from riding stuffed animals?
Before considering that it may be due to a behavior problem, it is essential rule out a he alth problem by going to the vet who, through various basic tests, you can detect any abnormality, such as:
- Alterations in estrogen levels.
- Urinary, vaginal or anal sac infections (the bitch licks herself frequently).
- Squamous cell tumor.
When it comes to a behavior that worries us, without any he alth problem causing it, it will be important to try to discover why it is being carried out. We have previously mentioned the most frequent ones: stress, gambling and sexual behavior
Finding the underlying cause of this behavior is the key to fixing it, but if it is due to sexual behavior, the only solution to completely avoiding stuffed animal riding iscastration.
If, on the other hand, it is about stress or anxiety, in an uncomfortable situation or one that cannot be controlled, we must assess whether we are meeting all the needs of the dog, from walks to stimulation routines mental. Discover some tips for stressed dogs on our site.
When the behavior has become habitual and whenever she rides a leg or a stuffed animal she gets laughter and applause, she will continue doing it and it will be more difficult for us to eradicate this behavior. We must completely avoid reinforcing these behaviors and, if they are very uncontrolled, we must consult a dog educator or an ethologist
Homeopathy, Bach flower remedies and reiki can also help, which relieve stress and help you find the best path to healing. In these cases it is advisable to consult a homeopathic veterinarian.
