For this method to work well, you should have already established trust and dominance through dog training. This issue can be super frustrating. Still, you should never hit or get aggressive to discourage humping or mounting in your dog. In some cases, humping and mounting can be about dominance. In this case, gently pushing your dog off of you and turning away from them is a good option. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Try fetch, chasing, tug-of-war, or a nice walk. If you offer your dog a toy, go for an interactive, stimulating choice. Treat dispensing toys, ball launchers, or puzzle toys are perfect. This is a great way to give your dog another outlet for their extra energy.
Subtly send the message that this behavior doesn’t earn your attention, and over time, your dog could learn to stop. Plus, if your dog follows you from the room, you’ll have interrupted their behavior in the moment.
Make sure when you release your dog, they’re not engaging in bad behavior, like whining. This may positively reinforce the behavior. Be consistent when you do time-outs. Spot the behavior, deliver the command, leave the dog without distractions, and release them after just a few minutes. This will interrupt their behavior in the moment, and over time, it will teach your dog that you don’t approve of humping or mounting. It also gives your dog a chance to calm down on their own.
If your dog is lying down, breathing evenly or deeply, and has a relaxed expression—offer them a quick treat.
Choose physically draining exercises, like fetch, swimming, runs, and wrestling. Engage them in mentally taxing exercise, too. Hide and seek, learning new tricks, and searching for treats will be extra engaging to them. It’s hard to expect your dog to calm down if they have too much pent-up energy.
Humping can be a sexual behavior or play behavior, and both of these causes are totally normal. Humping can be common when dogs are stressed, tense, excited, or overwhelmed. If they face anxiety, humping could become a compulsive, daily habit. Humping can also be a way to assert dominance. This could be a show of power and status over other dogs or people. Finally, humping can also be caused by sickness. UTIs or skin allergies, for example, can bring about humping behaviors. [11] X Research source
Keep your dog in a separate room or floor with food, water, and engaging toys. If the weather is nice, let them play outside until your guest leaves.
Spaying isn’t a good option if you’re interested in breeding your dog down the line. Remember, spaying and neutering won’t always help with this behavior. If humping and mounting have become a habit due to positive reinforcement, for instance, this may not change anything.
Ask a friend, family member, or a professional dog sitter for help. A female dog is usually in heat for 2-4 weeks, so plan accordingly.
