How to Stop Your Dog From Humping: 8 Vet Approved Tips & Tricks
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As dog owners, most of us have felt embarrassed by our pets at some point. Humping is undoubtedly not a behavior dog owners are proud to show off to their guests. Humping behavior in dogs is more common than you think, and although some consider it comical, it’s crucial to eliminate it with training.
But how exactly do you stop your dog from humping? Well, you’ve come to the right place because, in this quick guide, we will take you through the eight tips and tricks to stop humping.
Why Is Your Dog Humping?
You need to know how to stop humping behavior, but it is also essential to learn why your dog is doing it in the first place, and understanding why will help you stop it.
Not only is it beneficial to get inside your dog’s head, but it might also lead you to the step that is going to work best. So, why is he humping? Let’s take a look at the most common reasons.
Sexual Behavior
Mounting and masturbation is a normal behavior in all dogs, including females. Even though neutering and spaying can reduce these behaviors, some dogs will still mount to some extent. And contrary to popular belief, altered males can present erections and ejaculate, too.
Sexual behavior is often accompanied by flirtatious behavior, such as pawing, play bows, licking, and keeping their tails upright. Unfortunately, it is normal behavior. Just don’t let it go unchecked.
Play Behavior
Humping is a part of everyday play behavior, and it is guaranteed that at least one dog will mount another in group play. Poorly socialized dogs who do not know how to play appropriately will mount excessively and might get aroused, too. Preventing the behavior is important since other dogs will not appreciate too much mounting.
Overstimulation or Stress
During intense, stressful, or exciting times, some dogs dont’ know how to handle it, and they’ll resort to humping. Their feelings become too much to manage, and they’ll have to direct their excitement or stress out on you, another dog, or a close object.
Overexcitement is the number-one reason that an immature puppy will engage in humping behavior.
Social Behavior
As mentioned, humping behavior could be a result of feeling the need to exert dominance in a group of dogs or testing the waters to work out where he tands in the pack. This is a normal canine behavior.
Compulsive Behavior
If your dog humps human legs and objects frequently, it becomes part of his daily life. And day after day, it becomes habitual behavior for him.
It’s hard to stop the routine if this is the reason that he is humping. So, be patient with him. After all, it’s not entirely his fault. His humans have allowed him to carry on with his humping rituals up until now, but it’s not too late to get it in check!
Could Medical Problems Be Causing His Humping Behavior?
Yes, if your dog is feeling unwell, he might turn to humping behavior. He is confused and doesn’t understand why he is feeling ill or has an itch that he needs to scratch.
Medical conditions such as urinary infections, prostate issues, or priapism could be causing him to hump. So, if you have exhausted the tricks and other reasons for humping outlined in this guide and you still cannot work out why he is humping, it’s a good idea to take him to the vet. It is probably nothing to worry about, but you must rule out medical concerns just to be safe.
Hopefully, you can now pinpoint why your pup is feeling frisky. If not, you can examine the eight tips that dog owners can use to stop their dog’s embarrassing behavior.
Just remember that not all of these tricks will work on every dog. It’s important to try each one to determine the best solution. You may need to deploy a few tactics to prevent the thrusting, but it only takes one to work.
The 8 Tips & Tricks to Stop Your Dog from Humping:
1. Remove Any Environmental Triggers
If you recognize environmental stimuli that trigger your dog to start humping, you should remove them before the behavior becomes a habit and is transmitted to other objects or people.
2. Use Distraction Techniques
If removing triggers doesn’t work, it’s time to distract your dog. Many owners find this step confusing because it’s almost as if you’re rewarding your dog for humping, but this step is all about distraction and good timing. Just make sure to choose an activity or toy that the dog cannot simultaneously play with and hump, such as going for a run, swimming, or fetching a small ball.
The second you notice that he is frisky, find a way to distract him and engage him in a physically incompatible behavior, like gasping as loud as you can, as if you’ve seen a giant squirrel, and running toward the yard. You might feel silly, but there’s a good chance he’ll follow you and leave his feelings behind.
3. Discourage the Behavior
This is often the most successful and easiest step. Whatever training command you have taught him, such as “no,” “leave it,” or “away,” you should use it here. The second he latches onto his victim, tell him no. If he ignores you, shout it again and pull him off. Or if you can’t pull him off, remove what he is getting worked up about.
With a loud, sharp, and firm command, he will know instantly that his behavior isn’t acceptable.
4. Spay or Neuter
Sometimes, the only way to stop the hormones from rushing is to put a stop to them. So, if your dog hasn’t been neutered or spayed yet, it’s time to discuss it with your vet. Research has shown that neutering and spaying can reduce sexual behaviors, sometimes up to 70%. So, unless you plan to breed your pup, there is no real reason to keep them intact.
Thankfully, spaying and neutering have several other benefits, such as reducing the risk of serious health concerns and preventing the birth of unwanted pups.
5. Time-Out Time
No, this step is not about allowing him and his favorite pillow to get a room. Instead, you need to take him to a place where he doesn’t have access to anything that he can hump.
Time-out works on many dogs not only because it removes them from the situation but also because it distracts them. It makes them think about what they have done to deserve such treatment.
Choose a room without people or toys. Shut the door and wait for a minute or two. Then, once their time is up, let them out and pretend nothing ever happened. If he starts to get humpy again, repeat the step a few times, and he should get the message.
6. Practice More Training
Mounting is a sign of dominance in dogs. This doesn’t mean that he is the dominant dog. Instead, he will likely be testing the waters to see if the other dogs will accept it and work out his place in the pack.
A great way to suppress any dominant behaviors in a dog is to practice training and encourage obedience. By getting him to learn different commands, not only can you distract him with a trick to stop him from humping, but you are also stimulating his brain and encouraging him to listen to the boss (you!).
- Related Read: Best Puppy Training Treats
7. Avoid the Situation
If you know that your dog humps in certain situations and the previous tricks aren’t having any effect on him, try to avoid those situations.
This isn’t always possible, but if some toys push his buttons or specific dogs at the local dog park get him excited, find alternative forms of entertainment.
8. Call in a Professional
Sometimes, there are reasons for excessive humping behavior that cannot be understood. If your dog finds himself in this category, fear not.
Professional canine behaviorists will more than likely be able to help you. Get in touch with one who has experience with abnormal humping behavior and research them before signing up for a training session. Just know that there is light at the end of the tunnel!
The Wrap Up
Hopefully, you can use our simple tips and tricks to gain control again over your dog’s humping behavior. It doesn’t always have to be like this! It’s all about understanding why your dog might be humping and addressing the problem. By removing your dog from the room, using firm commands, or avoiding certain situations, you can eradicate the heinous humping behavior almost immediately.
As with retraining any learned behavior, be consistent and persistent, and you should start seeing positive results in no time. And if they aren’t working, do not feel embarrassed about seeking help.
See Also:
- Can Neutered Dogs Still Mate? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ
- Why Does My Female Dog Hump My Male Dog? 6 Vet-Approved Reasons
Featured Image Credit: Koldunova Anna, Shutterstock
