Author: Dogs' Info Planet
My male dog likes to 'expose' himself, especially in mixed company… what's
the deal?
Whether your dog is revealing his private parts, or rubbing them
against a hapless visitor's leg, you shouldn't worry about his psychological
well-being. Although this behavior is disconcerting for humans, it is a normal
activity for sexually mature male dogs.
Why the 'flaunting' around humans, though?
If your dog is exhibiting this behavior, it is likely because you (or a
previous owner) raised him in the absence of female dogs. Lacking a suitable companion to 'experiment'
with, your dog will gravitate towards female members of the household.
In cases where your dog 'flirts' with any and everyone, he's likely
doing so because he's learned the behavior gets attention (even negative
attention is better than none at all).
Having your dog neutered before he reaches adolescence can help curb
some of this behavior, but he may still do it. These urges generally decline
with age. Your best bet is to take a firm but compassionate approach. Ignore
the 'flashing' and be consistent in your 'down' and 'sit' commands when your
dog tries to mount a human leg.
I have a female dog I would like to breed at some point in the future,
but would like to prevent pregnancy for the time being. Can this be done?
Yes, there are both oral and intravenous forms of contraception
available for dogs. For the inexperienced, it is usually easiest to provide
oral contraception to your dog because it can be mixed in with her food.
Birth control will prevent your female dog from ovulating so that, even
if a persistent male dog still attempts to mate with her, she will not conceive.
Keep in mind, however, that birth control does not prevent the
transimission of disease. If your dog is still sexually active, you
should have her tested every 3 months.
I think my dog may already be pregnant. What should I do?
If you witnessed your dog mating, there's still time to prevent
pregnancy. Your vet can administer an injection to prevent the fertilized eggs
from reaching the womb.
For the future, your best bet is to have your dog spayed. Spaying (and
neutering) is the duty of every responsible pet owner. There is no reason not
to have the procedure done if you are not a professional dog breeder.
It is a proven fact that spayed and neutered household pets lead
longer, healthier lives. They are also much more well-behaved and easier for
their human companions to deal with due to the reduction in food requirements,
territorial behavior and inhibition of the urge to 'run away' in search of a
mate.
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