female mounting crate pillow

Question
Hello, Ms. Friedman,

My 3 yr old, female, spayed schoodle has been "humping" her crate cushion for about two months.  She started doing it after spending time with a dog boarder, who has at least one or more male dogs at any one time staying with him and his wife.  She takes it out of the crate and mounts it or lays on the floor with it between her legs.  She does this sporadically throughout the day and night.  We have put the cushion back in the crate, and closed the door, but mostly, we just leave it on the floor.  She has spent time at the boarder's home for several days at a time, while we are on vacation, and has been there two years in a row.

We appreciate your input and thoughts.
Judy

Answer

Hi Judy,

Since your dog started the pillow humping behavior after spending time at a kennel, the problem just might be a response to the stress of you leaving, particularly if she was left for long periods of time, though even a short period of time without their owners can have some dogs feeling stress about being separated.  

Try removing the pillow, and increase her mentally stimulation with time consuming toys, such as a Kong or a BusterCube (either should be stuffed with food or treats so she needs to work to get the food out). Give her the toy before you leave her alone, and while you're at home. If the mounting behavior is from stress and or boredom, the toys may help. When you're home, and see her starting to hump the pillow, make a loud distracting sound while firmly tell her "NO!". The very moment she stops the undesirable behavior, give her the Kong toy (or something similar that will be hard to resist and occupy her). Praise her when she's quietly working on the toy.

In addition, give her more mental stimulation in the form pop-quizzes of commands she already knows, or teach her some new ones. You didn't say how much exercise your dog receives daily. Increasing the number of daily leashed walks or runs is also helpful to relieve stress (letting a dog outside by itself in a yard doesn't count for exercise).


I hope that helps,

Patti