Humping in female

Betsy been with me for almost a year now and I've noticed that she does at times like to hump other dogs.
When it comes to play time she generally likes playing with bigger dogs or those her size and usually male. Sometimes during the play I've noticed that Betsy might start humping. If it all seems playful which it always seems to have been with the bigger dogs and the owners are ok then I've not paid too much attention to it. There have been a couple of times during longer periods of play when the humping has increased and some growling (Betsy is usually quiet during play, but can start to growl as play gets heightened) and I have either ended the play or calmed it down. I'm not sure if this is right or not as I'm thinking it's staffie rough play, but am being cautious as I continue to get to know Betsy more.

I do however need to watch Betsy around smaller dogs and I wonder if a pattern may be those that perhaps aren't as well socialised particularly around staffs as some are ok. The other day she met a very small dog and to start with the body language seemed to be what I thought quite usual- dogs side on and having a sniff. Then Betsy went behind the dog (me on alert) and sure enough straight into hump mode. There was some growling from both and I did a "ah ah" and quick as anything took Betsy off.
The owner and I chatted for a while and it seemed that it wasn't really unusual behaviour for either dogs. Betsy was fine after sitting by my side and not bothering with the other dog.

I use a training lead when Betsy meets new dogs and am a little more cautious with the smaller ones. I wondered whether how she is with some smaller dogs could be corrected through training and time? If so should I be correcting the humping all together as I'm aware of a mixed message in you can hump a big dog, but not a small one?

Thanks
Sam

The humping is to do with dominance our female regularly does this to our male and We mentioned it to the vet who told us because we got the male dog 8 months after the female she is using the humping as to tell him she is the boss. It's a pretty normal thing and you shouldn't worry

As above, it's a dominance thing, my female will randomly 'grab' my male (who is younger) do a lil hump then let him go, I try to discourage it by using a distraction, .. I dnot tell her off, cause shes not being naughty, but using distraction is great n can help control many unwanted behaviours.

Yes Moo tries to hump her best mate, a collie cross, I was like 'Moo what on earth are you doing'

But its only him and now its kinda funny, if not embarrassing lol!

Thanks for your replies and yes used to get red faced but kinda used to it now.

I've been observing this more and I'm not concerned with dogs her size or bigger but am with the small ones as in my reading of the situation it doesn't seem playful so have been stopping it. Have any others had this with smaller dogs?

It's a dominance issue so it can occur with larger and smaller dogs. It's best to discourage it in my opinion so she knows it's not acceptable and doesn't become a habit. Thankfully this is one issue Suki doesn't have

Lola humps Lily sometimes when they are playfighting it makes Lily growl. Lily never does it to Lola. I tell her off for being rude!

Thanks for your feedback. Distraction it is. Funnily enough it's not happening as much- tends to happen when I seek advice

Mia tries to hump mine or hubby's leg. Does that mean she is trying to dominant us or does it mean something different? Lol

Betsy tried that trick too lol.
When it happened indoors I did a firm "uh uh" then left the room for a few moments until she calmed down. If it happend again same. As our staffies love human contact I've found it to be the best way to correct unwanted behaviour and they quickly learn.
If outside I found focusing on what you do want i.e. a "sit" or whatever command comes quite easy to them. Then some heal work can get the attention focused elsewhere with some nice high value treats