Mini toy female humping things

Question
Hi, Keisha,
Our adorable 1 year old spayed female has a new favorite thing to do. She licks things like crazy, such as her stuffed animals, our arms, etc., holds on and starts humping away. We don't recall her ever being exposed to this sort of thing, and she hasn't done it before. She's a sweet, sensitive dog and we feel bad scolding her firmly. Any suggestions?  

Answer
Humping things has NOTHING to do with sex like everyone thinks it does.  It is a dominace issues.  You do need to scold her and redirect her to another activity.  What she is doing is telling you that she is incharge.  You need to let her know that YOU are the alpha of the pack NOT her.  Do NOT let her rule the roost.  She needs to be put into her place and told that she is a lower member of the pack.  You can do this by staring her in the eyes and making sure that she is the one to look away.  Dont let her get away with murder even if she is sensitive.  Dogs need a pack hierarchy.  She needs to learn that her place is not at the top.  If she wants to be dominate over her toys that is ok but it is not ok for her to be doing this behavior towards you.  Once she starts it tell her a firm NO and stare her down.  Once she looks away find her favorite toy and redirect her to playing with that.  If she comes back and does it to you again, refuse to acknowledge it and turn away from her.  Once she realizes that she can not get away with it she will find something else to do and the behavior will stop.


And by the way there is no such thing as a mini toy.  You either have a miniature or a toy poodle.  Toy poodles are 10 inches and under at the shoulders.  A miniature poodle is over 10 inches to 15 inches.