When is a dog old enough?

[WinterGreenWolf]

6 hours ago, Fanta said:




The dog is male but I'm unaware of the full extent of what they're doing. Sounds like pretty much everything, though. 




"Starting" to show interest isn't enough though - is it? Like at this age this is still a puppy. This puppy is just barely beginning to go through puberty and explore himself. It feels utterly scummy, not to mention rapey, to take advantage of this. The puppy isn't even close to being fully developed in any way, especially not in mind. I have never considered a puppy able to consent, nor seen sentiment they can. But if moods have changed, suppose it may be best for mine to change with them. 




Thanks for your reply, looking forward to more. 

I would like to add something to what I said above as well: every dog is different like every person is different.. Some mature faster, some slower.. There's really no 'fixed way' to tell for sure. It's also worth noting that 'age tests' and 'intelligence tests' can place canines at a massive disadvantage when the numbers are concerned as the tests aren't designed for them, they were designed for humans.

5 hours ago, heavyhorse said:




Pretty much what WGW said above.  




A lot of male animals will start "acting sexual" at a very early age.  Ram and goat kids will mount and hump while they are still nursing.  Doesn't mean they are actually ready.  Keep in mind in nature a young male won't be allowed by the others in his group to breed; the resident male will "educate" him on appropriate behavior, the females mostly won't "stand" for him even in heat.  




In my experience (working livestock farm and small-time giant breed dog breeder) they aren't physically mature until 18 - 24 months.  




And my gawd make sure he's gotten his puppy shots.... 

Yeah, pretty much this.. Let's not forget, sex for the 'younger ones' will be possible, 100% without harm: just awkward as hell as they are trying to learn the 'mechanics' of it all. Never forget, a non-humans' perceptions and outlets on such matters are VERY different to our own..

1 hour ago, Fanta said:




So do you or do you not believe a puppy of this age is old enough for sex? WinterGreenWolf believes it is, from how I interpreted his post, and you say you agree with him. But then you go on to say humping behavior doesn't mean they're ready and that they don't mature until nearly 2 years. 




I don't know the individual offline, so I don't know if he's gotten the puppy shots. I assume he has, as he's mentioned going to the vet. I try to talk to him about the dog as little as possible, as the situation makes me deeply uncomfortable. 

Hopefully he's done all the 'right puppy things' such as basic training, vet care, etc..




I know it sounds 'back and forth' but what I, and HH then said are pretty much the only answers really 'fitting' here (IMO, of course). I saw you mention consent, remember consent for them is different: it possesses different contexts and weights.. You also have to remember in the wild, these sort of behaviors would either..




A) Lead to actual reproduction (even at an early age)




B) Are practice for reproduction in a competitive environment where survival is priority #1.




Sort of a sum-up.. I'd say tell him he probably *shouldn't* be engaging in anything beyond a simple hump or two.. Maybe not even that depending on the exact age of the dog.. The major caveat here being that it depends on how fast the dog's maturing, how comfortable he is with said contact, etc..




As an aside, I never really recommend penetrating a canine anally.. You have to be very careful with that, it can make a mess, and it can cause damage.. That's another topic though.