Why Do Dogs Get Stuck Together After Mating? What You Need To Know
It’s a weird thing to see. And most of us will remember the first time we saw it. It looks uncomfortable, unnatural, and to be honest, a little comical too. So why do dogs get stuck together after mating? Is it something you should be worried about? Should you try to separate them? Is it a good sign if you’re looking for a pregnancy?
There are a lot of questions when it comes to canine mating. We’re going to take you through everything you need to know (OK, not everything), so you can fully understand what’s happening.
What Do We Mean By Stuck After Mating?
After a male and female pup mate, it’s very common for the male dog to dismount but still be stuck inside the female. They can stay like that, with their butts pressed against each other for 5 to 45 minutes. But why?
Why Do Dogs Get Stuck Together After Mating?
It might not look like it, but it’s totally natural for dogs to get stuck during mating. It even has a name: the copulatory tie. This happens when a part of the male dog’s penis, called the bulbus glandis (the erectile tissue towards the base of the penis) swells with blood. The circular area can actually swell to be double the size of the diameter of the penis shaft!
The female dog’s vagina also contracts, meaning the male dog can’t pull out. The male and female dog are locked together until the swelling goes down and the male can remove his penis.
Why Have Dogs Developed to Get Stuck?
In terms of evolution, it seems pretty obvious why dogs get stuck during mating. Unlike humans, female dogs are only fertile (or on heat) every 6 or 7 months. The heat period, however, can last up to 18 days.
Because there’s a smaller window of time for the female to become pregnant, canines have evolved to try and make it as ‘sure’ as possible. This is why the copulatory tie happens.
The male dog’s penis stays inside the female dog for as long as possible to increase the likelihood of her becoming pregnant.
Does The Copulatory Tie Always Ensure Pregnancy?
The copulatory tie is a totally normal part of the mating process, but it doesn’t automatically mean the female will become pregnant. It does, however, improve the likelihood. Separating stuck dogs won’t stop the female from becoming pregnant (you also shouldn’t do this… but more on that in a bit).
If you don’t want your pup to become pregnant, keep them on a tight leash and away from busy areas where there might be male dogs off-leash. Of course, the best way to keep pups from getting pregnant is to neuter or spay them. Ask your vet if you want to know more about neutered dogs and whether that’s a good solution for you.
What Should You Do When Dogs Get Stuck Together During Mating?
Nothing! It’s a natural occurrence. Once the male dog’s penis reduces in size, the two will come apart naturally. Of course, if it’s the first time that your male dog or female dog is mating, it may be a little alarming for them (and you) to get stuck together. Try to keep them calm and don’t try to separate them. After a while, you’ll see the male dog withdrawing and they’ll go back to normal.
Trying to pull them apart could end up in a serious injury and distress them. It also won’t stop female dogs from becoming pregnant. Leave them be and try to keep their surroundings calm (so don’t have loads of strangers watching them). When it’s time, they’ll separate naturally.
Why Do Dogs Get Stuck During Mating?
The answer to that is that it’s normal behavior and part of the canine mating process. The male’s penis swells as the female’s vagina constricts, meaning they stick together in a copulatory tie for up to 45 mins.
If you’re wanting to breed your pup, the copulatory tie is a good sign. However, it’s not a sure indication that the female will become pregnant. Don’t try to separate the pups as this could cause pain, discomfort, and even a severe injury. They should separate as a result of the end of the breeding process.
If you’re worried about your dog becoming pregnant or impregnating another pup, talk to your vet about your possibilities. And if you want to breed your pup then getting stuck is a natural part of it! It indicates successful mating!
Interested to know whether dogs can be gay? Find out!
