What is climbing? It is the behavior of a male dog crawling on a female dog and shaking rhythmically. Its most famous representative image is "Teddy", and the saying "Sun, sun, earth, sun, air" is widely circulated. This is the most normal form of sexual behavior in unneutered adult male dogs.

Misunderstandings about climbing behavior:

It is an exaggeration to say that when almost everyone sees a dog crawling, the first thing they think of is "mating." If dogs or puppies of the same sex appear to crawl, they will even think about "are dogs gay?" and "are they aware of mating at such a young age?"

In fact, due to different genders and ages of dogs, the purpose and performance of climbing will also be different. Unlike adult male dogs, this kind of behavior in puppies and female dogs is mostly a manifestation of social interaction (in addition to the need for mating, adult dogs will also exhibit climbing behavior due to social interaction).

Causes of crawling behavior:

1. Mating behavior

It occurs in unneutered male dogs, mostly because they are attracted to the hormones emitted by female dogs in estrus, resulting in sexual impulses (Portal: How to correctly understand the behavior of dogs in estrus).

　2. Status symbol/desire to conquer

Dogs are social animals and have a strong sense of hierarchy. They will climb each other to determine their hierarchical status, regardless of gender or size (the dog being crawled underneath does not resist, which means it recognizes the status of the other party).

Note: When a dog climbs on you, it is also a sign of conquest and an attempt to show its dominance. In addition to the climbing behavior, blocking another dog's path with your body or bumping the other dog's shoulder with your butt are all body language tests for hierarchical status.

3. Attract attention

When the dog needs the attention of the parent, it will perform crawling behavior in places where the parent can see it (especially if the parent does not stop it in time), such as on people, plush toys (the toys are stained with the scent of the parent), etc.

4. Occurrence of disease

A very small number of dogs will crawl due to underlying diseases, such as urinary tract infections, same-sex erections, etc.

When strangers come to visit or something makes them feel stressed, dogs will also release excitement through climbing behavior./ Anxiety and other emotions to express one's uneasiness. Long-term climbing behavior will lead to physical and psychological diseases.

Problems caused by crawling behavior:

1. Genital infection: Adult male dogs are exposed to their genitals for a long time and are easily infected with bacteria, causing infection.

2. Genital erosion: The inability of puppies to ejaculate will cause the genitals to be unable to retract for a long time, leading to genital erosion and necessitating sterilization.

3. Dependence/obsessive-compulsive disorder: Dogs rely on climbing behavior to release emotions for a long time, forming compulsive behaviors (such as not climbing, being unable to sleep, etc.).

In addition to the above more common conditions, skin, skeletal muscle and other diseases are not excluded. If parents find that their dog has frequently crawled across the dog, they should rush to the nearest hospital for consultation immediately.

Excluding the two causes of physical discomfort and estrus, as parents, how can we avoid the embarrassment, conflicts, diseases and other problems caused by dogs climbing?

Correct the dog’s climbing behavior:

1. Distraction

· Before a dog climbs, he or she will usually show specific behaviors such as pawing, rubbing, licking, panting, and looking for something to hug.

· Attention can be diverted through instructions (such as sit, hold, etc.) and toys.

　2. Sterilization

Although the climbing behavior is not only due to estrus, neutering can reduce sexual impulse and reduce the probability of climbing.

Note: You can view previous push content to learn about sterilization precautions.

(Portal: How to correctly determine whether your dog should be neutered (Part 1))

(Portal: How to correctly determine whether your dog should be neutered (Part 2))

3. Cold treatment

When the climbing behavior occurs, put the dog alone in a room without any toys. After 1-2 minutes, let it out. At the same time, the parents need to act as if nothing happened (if the climbing behavior occurs again) appears, repeat the above steps).

Note: If the dog is climbing on someone, stand up immediately or push it away to express rejection.

4. Pinch the inner thigh

Control the neck/head with one hand (to prevent accidental injury), and pinch the inner thigh (near the testicles) decisively with the other hand. Do not be soft (or even pinch it).call)

If you encounter a dog with severe tendency to crawl and climb, it is recommended to ask the doctor whether you can use some sedative drugs.