Why Do Dogs Get Stuck When They Are Mating?

Puppies are adorable whether they are purebreds or completely nuts. Like all other baby mammals, they are the products of their parents mating together. But, dog mating is unique in a way that dogs get stuck together during this process known as ‘copulatory tie.’

Mating is a natural thing, and it’s just the way how animals create sexual relations with one another and give birth to their new ones. Just like how the other systems of the body are essential to the survival of an individual, reproduction is the key to the survival of each species. Dogs are no exception to this rule. however, the trick question arises when they get stuck together after mating. 

Humans have been seen to be violent towards such dogs considering it a bit ‘an immoral act’. Many persons have been reported to intimidate them despite knowing dogs don’t have houses and shelters to perform this action. In this article, we’ll briefly explain this mating process of your dogs and illustrate the plausible reasons ‘why dogs get stuck when they are mating’?

How do dogs mate?

Dog mating can’t be termed casual sex as it’s a process mainly done in a few steps. Breeders and pet owners must be aware of the stages of mating to avoid any unnecessary confusion. 

Stages:

• The first stage is referred to as ‘Mounting.’ This is triggered by the female’s dog flirting, especially flagging that she is ready for the act—the male dog then prepares to mount the female dog. 
• The subsequent stage is ‘locating, identifying and penetrating the vulva of a female’s dog. This step might require the external assistance of breeders. Once the vulva is located, ‘ejaculation’ follows it. The male’s dog releases the prostatic fluid along with his sperms just as he starts humping the female counterpart.
• ‘Copulatory tie’ or ‘Getting stuck’ takes place just before the mating is completed or after mating.

 Now, scientists have studied the physiology of how this happens, and they seem to have come up with an anatomical theory. 

Reason #1:

• A male dog has two lumps that appear to be testicles called ‘bulbous glands. These are situated on either side of the base of the penis. It’s known that when a male dog ejects semen, the ‘bulbous glands of his genitals swell up, becoming significantly stiff.
• The reason behind swelling is that ‘bulbous glands becoming filled with blood. ‘Bulbus Glandis’ isn’t a gland in the true sense, but it serves as a ‘coital tie’ that ties up male and female dogs during mating. 
• At the same time, the muscles at the entrance of the female vagina get constricted, clamping down over the bulb, stopping the male dog’s penis from being removed. They allow the dogs to get tied up together and get stuck together as males keep on ejecting sperm into females.
• As long as the female’s genital muscles don’t relax, they will be in a stance ranging from 5-45 minutes.

To be more comfortable, the male usually swings one of his back legs over the back of the female, which is done to keep their faces away from each other, rear-end-to-rear-end, and they will remain like this until the mating process ends.

Reason #2: 

• Another anatomical reason as probed by vets is that they believe that male dogs have inordinately large penises, which are very difficult for their female counterparts to dislodge.
• The shape of a male dog’s penis is like a corkscrew, which firmly allows genital lodging into the female’s vagina.

Why does this happen? (Physiological aspect)

This may sound weird, but it is of great physiological significance. Unlike cats, dogs can’t mate up after 21 days for the entire year. They get in the heat twice a year, which is so not as much to rely on progeny. So, it’s a mechanism to ensure every drop of male sperm is emitted into the female’s vagina.

This is to maximize the chance of successful copulation. Now, there are occasions when dogs fail to get stuck during mating; it’s called ‘slip mating.’ Mating might be successful occasionally in that way, but it reduces the chances of conception significantly as long as adequate sperms have entered the female’s vagina.

What should be our reaction when we see such a thing happening? (Dogs Get Stuck)

We have discussed the anatomical reasons for dogs getting stuck together and the physiological significance of this act. Above board, any external intervention in this natural phenomenon can be extremely hurtful. Any attempt to break them apart is vehemently prohibited as it’s awkwardly dangerous.

The anatomy of males and females does not allow the removal of the penis before the end of the dog’s third ejection. Forceful attempts by breeders to separate them might dislodge the sexual organs of dogs, which is extremely painful, unlike the ‘copulatory tie’ itself, which may cause a little if no pain.

Not only that, you might end up destroying dogs’ sexuality, which is an immoral act. It is clear that a good and suitable atmosphere should be provided to dogs during mating. 

What if the dogs are ‘tied up for too long and may seemingly be in pain?

Separation after ‘tying up’ during mating is a natural occurrence. Interventions should be avoided as long as possible. Dog owners CAN intervene only when dogs have been stuck for quite a long time and are in visible pain.

Breeders have to pat the female dog repeatedly but gently to make her calm down so the muscles of the vagina’s entrance relax. The male dog can now be safely separated from the female. Apart from that, there is no safe way to separate the two dogs. But, keep in mind, nature will indeed play its part, and they will be separated sooner or later. 

Final Thoughts

So, why do dogs get stuck when they mate? Dogs getting STUCK while mating has an anatomical aspect and a physiological significance. In addition, it is nature’s way of allowing dogs’ mating so their species can survive. This natural process should be always be respected.

Any interventions should be avoided unless completely necessary to keep things simple and harmless for the dogs.

Moreover, humans must remember their moral values should be implemented on humans only. Animals don’t fall in the same category as humans as they don’t fall in the same category as animals.

This means that even if they see them doing the act, or get stuck they shouldn’t become the jury themselves and attempt to harm those innocent animals.

What is immoral to humans might not be immoral to dogs, and humans should respect their nature and let it happen as it was intended. 

References:

We take help from the following sources.

• https://www.easyretrievertraining.com/why-do-dogs-get-stuck-after-mating-a-video-explanation/
• https://thepets.net/why-do-dogs-get-stuck/
• https://www.quora.com/Why-do-dogs-rear-ends-get-stuck-to-each-other
• https://thegoldensclub.com/why-do-dogs-get-stuck-when-they-mate/