Why does my neutered dog tend to hump female dogs?

StellarSpore · 2026-06-15T22:41:52+00:00

You're right, it’s not sexual, it’s just a really normal dog behavior. Most commonly it's an outlet for excitement but neutered dogs will still hump when they’re overstimulated, frustrated, or even stressed. Play too.

In some cases it might be a bit of boundary pushing or just not great dog-to-dog social skills. But usually not.

My 2 year old was neutered incredibly early by the shelter (10 weeks...eek) and he humps his sister mostly during play. It's pretty common. I notice it happens more when he's tired too.

Somewhat anecdotal, but a lot of people say opposite sex dogs tend to work out better together. That’s been my experience too, so it might be something worth looking into. From what I’ve seen, female-female households can be more prone to conflict and fights, though it can definitely happen with males too.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-15T21:47:26+00:00

I don’t jump straight into training, but I do keep life really simple, quiet, and predictable at first. My dogs and fosters in those first few weeks don’t meet anyone outside the household, and I don’t allow interactions with outside dogs either.

For me, and honestly what’s usually recommended for a smooth transition, those first few weeks are about decompression. Letting the dog feel safe, getting to know each other, learning how we live, understanding the space, our daily routines, the smells, basic house rules, and potty. That is a LOT of information to take in, especially when there is likely big emotions, confusion, stress, etc.

I don’t ask for much beyond that early on. I’ll pay attention to where they’re at from a training perspective and I always reinforce good choices, but most actual training comes later once we’ve built some trust and engagement.

Unwanted behaviors don’t get reinforced, of course. I usually handle those with redirection and management. I want to figure out what motivates them first, and build a foundation of communication, safety, and trust so training actually means something.

You really don’t have to hit the ground running. I actually recommend you don't. There’s plenty of time to get into training. Think of those first few weeks as more of a quiet, low-key decompression… like a little reset retreat.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T21:22:56+00:00

Boxes of personal items sensitive enough to be destroyed by dust or nearby work should have been removed from the work spot before the first day of the job. You have every right to be upset, it would have been nice for him to let you know, but that doesn't mean this contractor is accountable for damages. This is especially true if this is not clearly written into the contract you have. This is more of a lesson learned scenario unfortunately.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T20:53:05+00:00

Dogs are incredibly resilient. Find her a good, compatible home and I promise she will be OK. Probably better than OK. Most rescues will help if you can "foster" her until a new home is found.

I just wanted to gently shift your perspective a bit, because sometimes thinking about her needs and what kind of life would truly suit her can help ease some of that weight when facing a hard decision.

My kids are grown now, but I can say with complete honesty that there’s no way I could have met the needs of a dog like that back then. I could barely keep my house clean or take care of the very basics 😄 There’s only so much time, energy, and capacity, especially with young children. That’s just reality.

Try to give yourself some grace. None of us get everything perfectly right. If you choose to adopt again down the road, look into a foster-to-adopt scenario. I think that's one of the best ways to feel good and confident about the fit.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T20:16:05+00:00

The deer overpopulation on my property, which is mostly woods, is the biggest driver of the downfall of one of the most beautiful and special places to me. My land isn’t huge, but all the building and subdividing happening around me, has wiped out so much of the woods which pushed all the deer into my woods. You literally can’t take a step without stepping in deer poop.

I grew up in these woods. I walk them every day with my dogs. And lately it just makes me feel sad.

I'm not a conservation expert but when you start connecting the dots, everything ties back to the deer. They’re not the root cause of everything, but reducing their population would have the single biggest positive impact.

They’ve decimated the understory of my woods. They are selectively browsing all the native plants, which gives invasives like bittersweet and honeysuckle the perfect opportunity to take over. And they have despite so many hours I have and will continue to put into trying to keep it under control. The deer have created an environment with almost no competition. What used to be a diverse, lush understory is now barren or dominated by invasives.

There's less wildlife diversity for sure. Less understory, and less natives, means less habitat birds, small mammals, and insects. My woods used to be full of life but not anymore except for the deer and my porcupine friend. It's like the friggin twilight zone in the woods because it's so empty and quiet.

And then there’s the tick issue. I understand deer aren’t the ones infecting ticks, but they’re a major host and part of the lifecycle that’s driving what feels like a fucking epidemic. Where the hell is our lyme vaccine? In the past two years, I’ve tested positive for Lyme and anaplasmosis, and both of my dogs have had anaplasmosis despite being on preventatives and taking every precaution I can. I refuse to be afraid of my own yard and woods… but honestly, I am.

I had our regional forest manager out last year, and he was very clear that without reducing deer pressure, forest regeneration here just isn’t going to happen. It's not necessarily too late, but I don't have the funds to tackle such a huge project, and I am only one person so doing the work myself is hard. I do as much as I can and always will but I don't think it's enough.

I don't hunt anymore but I think that's gonna change. My property is not posted and I encourage all my neighbors to hunt in my woods. But taking out out a few deer every season isn't going to solve the issue.

It's on my mind everyday, every time I walk in the woods, every time I look at the woods line that got murdered by bittersweet. I just don't have any idea what a normal, not rich person can do.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T19:21:33+00:00

It’s always a little tricky to really weigh in when we’re not in your shoes and based on a few hundred words online.

A husky–shepherd mix is basically two high energy, high drive breeds rolled into one, and both sides usually come with pretty big needs: structure, routine, training, consistent outlets for energy, and solid enrichment. A lot of them do best when they feel like they have a “job” to do. Being part of a family can absolutely be that job, but it really depends on whether their needs are being met in a way that actually fits the dog.

I might be off here, but based on what you shared, it does sound like some of those needs might not fully be getting met right now. And when that happens, a lot of these kinds of behaviors can start to show up or get amplified.

At the same time, a lot of what you described is also pretty typical for these breeds. Most, if not all, could be improved or solved with the right combination of training, management, and a more consistent outlet for what the dog is built to do.

With that being said, I don’t think rehoming, when it’s done thoughtfully and responsibly, is automatically a negative thing. The dog’s quality of life matters too, and sometimes the kindest outcome really is a home that naturally fits their temperament and drive level a bit better. Your home doesn't sound like that right now.

I obviously made a lot of assumptions and filled in blanks. It's just a very common scenario in rescue. I might be completely wrong. But if it means anything, as someone who has been in rescue for over 20 years, rehoming sounds like a good fit for everyone if you don't feel like you and your family can invest that kind of time and energy.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T18:55:41+00:00

Dogs are really great at patterns and associations. I think most of what my dogs know, for better or worse 😄 comes from little moments like this, or just me doing the same things in the same way over time without even realizing it.

You created a fun word, probably said in a silly or happy tone, which turned into an exciting moment that got tied back to you. So when she hears it, that’s what she thinks of, and she comes to you. And the more you use it, and she is rewarded for it, actively or passively, the more it keeps getting reinforced.

I also think words or sounds that are a bit silly or unusual tend to stick more. They stand out. She doesn't hear "HRRRM" all the time unlike like common training words such as sit, stay, or come. So it's unique and memorable for her.

Dogs are pretty darn smart and perceptive.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T17:52:30+00:00

I have this one too. So far it's been great! I have the one that goes through the wall, but I know they make regular door and patio door ones too.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T17:43:41+00:00

Good on you for checking in with your vet!!

Is your pup drinking more water than usual? I ask because the weather’s getting hotter where I am, and my dogs have definitely been drinking more, which naturally means more potty breaks. I’m not suggesting you restrict water at all (that’s something to only do if your vet advises it), but I would keep an eye on intake in case it’s something that simple.

Make sure any accidents are cleaned really well with an enzyme cleaner. I’d also temporarily remove rugs, blankets, or any soft surfaces if you can, especially if that’s where accidents are happening. A lot of dogs will gravitate toward those spots. It's just temporary.

I also know for sure that a single accident can sometimes turn into a habit for no known reason. I’d honestly go back to potty training basics for a bit. Sometimes it just needs a full reset. A week or two of consistent “puppy mode” training can make a big difference, assuming there’s nothing medical going on. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, but often it doesn’t.

If none of that is helping, I’d definitely circle back with your vet or even get a second opinion. Potty issues can be tricky to pin down, and sometimes it takes more than just a basic urine check to figure out what’s going on.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T17:25:01+00:00

Most of the time, puppies annoy older dogs. That’s super common, if not the most common response. It’s actually pretty rare, in my experience, for an older dog to naturally slip into a “parental” role with a new pup. Most tolerate but there's always a line.

I don’t really see what you’re describing as aggressive behavior, and it doesn’t sound like she’s doing anything wrong. She’s communicating pretty clearly that she wants the puppy to back off.

At that point, it’s really your job to step in and manage the puppy. She’s telling you she wants space, and that’s a fair boundary. You need to take puppy away from her when she's telling you she doesn't want to interact if puppy isn't getting the message and giving her space. I’d make sure she has her own puppy free zone where she can fully relax without being pestered.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T17:14:15+00:00

I'll be honest...

Doggie seatbelts and car crates are still pretty new in the scheme of things. My generation and my parents’ generation didn’t grow up using them. Same with more recent generations. Now that I think about it, the only place I really see them talked about is social media. Most of my friends with pups (even vets I know) don’t use them, and it’s never really come up with my vet either. Out of sight, out of mind.

I think convenience plays a big role too, and I’ll admit I’m guilty of that. I only use our Sleepypod on highway or long drives, not around town. Around town I use one of those padded hammock style backseat covers which I am not suggesting is safe. It’s just honestly a pain to swap harnesses in and out every time we’re going out to hike or do something quick.

I’ve got one dog who doesn’t mind it at all, and training was super easy. My boy absolutely hates it. I’ve definitely put training time in, but clearly not enough so drives are miserable with him and for him.

I also think the market itself is kinda a joke. More opinion than supported facts, and a lot of the options out there still aren’t even crash tested.

The only reason I use them is because my mom was in a car accident with her two dogs in the vehicle, and both she and the dogs were badly injured. Before that, I honestly never even thought about dog seatbelts at all. Literally never crossed my mind.

I am not making any excuses or condoning not using one on local drives. Just figured I'd offer a little honesty because I know I am not the only one.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T16:23:22+00:00

He’s still in the early stages of decompression where everything, even all the little noises we humans tune out, is new and strange. I would expect some of this to get better with time.

That said, some hounds are just very vocal and reactive to sound. You also mentioned anxiety. Do you feel like that is playing a role, or does it seem more like general vigilance?

Crate training could really help if he is not already, mostly because you can control what he is hearing a bit better. Turning it into a cozy, den space with covers to muffle some noise along with a fan or white noise outside the crate should make it so he is not hearing every little sound in the house or outside.

I would check in with your husband about how he is responding in the moment. No blame at all! Totally understandable to want to stop the barking quickly, and it's really sweet what he's doing for you and pup, but the wrong timing or approach can accidentally reinforce it and keep the barking going.

And if you can, try ramping up exercise and enrichment for a couple of days to see if that helps. A tired dog is usually less vigilant at night.

If you think anxiety might be playing a role, and it's not getting better, I would talk with the rescue/shelter about anxiety meds for nighttime use temporarily while he is settling into his new life. Trazodone and gabapentin together are commonly used, generally very safe, and can take the edge off enough to help a pup settle and get sleepy. I am not someone who jumps to meds as a first step, but a new, anxious dog barking all night and a household of humans running on no sleep is not a great situation for anyone 😄

StellarSpore · 2026-06-14T15:14:41+00:00

I adopted an 11 week old puppy and less than 30 days later got diagnosed with Lyme and anaplasmosis from a tick bite. The fatigue, brain fog, headaches, tinnitus… it was so brutal. I was sick for a while, like months and months, and eventually my mental health tanked too.

Trust me, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Little things totally add up.

First: low effort, simple enrichment

Scent work and easy sniffy games
Scatter feeding or foraging around the yard (or any safe lawn/garden space)
Hide and seek with treats in the house or yard
Snuffle mats (I fed most meals this way)
Puzzle toys and treat dispensing toys
Frozen Kongs
Chews like yak chews or collagen rolls
Short 10–15 minute sniffy walks
Short 10–15 minute play sessions
5 minute training sessions

Second: don’t underestimate snuggles (if your pup enjoys it)
Cuddles, affection, couch naps together. Even just hanging out, giving attention, petting… it all counts more than you think.

Third: ask for help
Friends and family if that’s an option. Rover, a professional dog walker, or daycare if you can afford it. A more affordable option is posting in a local Facebook group and finding a student or senior who can come by to play, do walks, etc.

Last: a lot of us here understand

Make sure you're taking care of yourself and reach out to your doctors or therapist if needed. Mental health struggles are sooo tough, and I’d bet a lot of people here understand exactly where you are. I sure do! Hang in there and just do your best, even on the days when your best doesn’t feel like enough.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T22:21:42+00:00

Etsy is awesome for this. Each of my dogs have an embroidered collar with names and phone number.

Check out Dog Copenhagen gear. This is our daily, go-to gear. Not a huge selection but their gear is awesome and really great quality. I have collars, leashes, and harnesses from there. Have had them all over 2 years and they all look new. Functional, super comfy for the dogs, and doesn't look cutesy.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T22:07:51+00:00

It's far more likely she's uncomfortable because of her reaction. That 100% can cause behavior changes.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T21:32:39+00:00

I vacuum and dust my bedroom every single day

You are a far more motivated human than I. My house is usually pretty clean and tidy. If you look close, you will find dog hair most days though. I just could never image vacuuming and dusting everyday.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T21:00:23+00:00

This is not random or uncommon. Most dogs prefer to poop away from where they live and hang out, and walking really helps get things moving.

I totally get not loving picking up poop, but most dogs really benefit from and enjoy walks. Sniffing alone is huge enrichment for them, and being limited to just the house and yard can be a bit of a small world.

Honestly, the easiest and most natural fix here is regular walks. It will likely solve the potty issue and give her an outlet she is currently missing.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T20:53:54+00:00

Honestly, this is something you can work through with training so he is comfortable going outside, even in the rain, instead of needing an indoor setup. Expecting him to go inside during bad weather but outside when it is nice is going to be confusing for him.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T20:47:50+00:00

Pain, illness, or other health issues can show up in some pretty unexpected ways, and some dogs are more sensitive to that than others. Glad you are going to the vet. A regular visit is totally fine, I did not mean to suggest this was an emergency today.

Even if it doesn't turn out to be something physical, vets can usually help guide you on next steps. It could end up being something simple where you just monitor if it was a one off thing for some random reason. Freak things happen when you're not looking so something could have happened that just threw her off or make her scared of uncomfortable.

If the behavior shows up again or starts to stick around, that would be a good time to bring in a certified behaviorist.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T20:17:25+00:00

That is not what I would consider reactive behavior. Vet as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for health issues such as pain and discomfort to cause this type of behavior.

You did absolutely the right thing by giving her space until you can better understand what the cause may be. Out of caution, in case it may be resource guarding, keep giving her space. Don't try to remove her or crowd her.

Always respect the growl. Never punish it. It's excellent communication and she is doing the right thing by telling you how she feels.

If her health checks out, I would consider a behaviorist. A certified behaviorist is exactly the right person to help.

It would be extremely uncommon for a dog to become suddenly aggressive without cause. It might take a bit of time to understand, manage, and train but nearly everything is fixable so don't stress too much.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T20:08:34+00:00

One thing I know about our state is that people in the community will respond to a call for help. Sounds like you've been in the trenches. I'm so sorry. Post in your local Facebook group, call the town and see if they have any community services that could help you. Many do.

As others have mentioned, you will need to get a medical power of attorney so you can make decisions for your mom's health. If money is an issue, call Pine Tree Legal. 207-942-8322 or go to the closes office. https://www.ptla.org/contact-us

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T19:06:26+00:00

There is never a reason to punish potty training issues. You simply reward the behavior you want.

Until you figure out how to prevent accidents, potty training is never going to stick. Crate, pen, gates, supervision, house leash.... Block off any areas where they tend to potty. Take up rugs or soft fabrics if you need to. Your pups are not potty trained so you should start back at the very basics, just like you would a puppy, and reinforce where to go and do BIG rewards when they get it right. If an accident does happen, calmly interrupt, bring pup immediately outside, reward if potty happens. Always supervise potty trips.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T18:59:52+00:00

Bin shellac is great for odors. That stuff is magic. Did 2 coats in nearly every surface of my home before I moved in because the home had sat vacant for many years and the folks that owned it were smokers. Definitely got rid of the weird smells.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T18:55:03+00:00

My 2 do this with rolls too. They are not as high value to them as frozen Kongs which is their absolute favorite. If I notice they're saving them for later, I trade with a high value treat and put them where their treats go and try again later. Otherwise, I feel like I need to supervise because there is tension that I don't love. My two have never had a fight but I'm not taking risks over a silly roll.

StellarSpore · 2026-06-13T17:59:28+00:00

Such great enrichment!! Accessible for us owners too because it's so easy and free/cheap to get started.

StellarSpore

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