spanking for hyperactivity

Question
We have a year and a half old hound dog named Fafnir. We have 2 cats who were here before he was, and he is very respectful of them and their space. We just brought home an 8 week old boxer puppy. Fafnir can not calm down and is having a very hard time being gentle with the puppy. Fafnir is not neutered and has also tried to hump the puppy a couple of times. My husband is getting very upset at Fafnir and has been spanking him when he acts up. Last night he spanked him over and over and over again every time he acted up. My husband insists that this is the way to get Fafnir to behave. I don't think it's working, and I don't like my husband hitting my dog. Please help me find a way to get Fafnir to calm down around the puppy (he just wants to play and is too aggressive) so that I can use this method in place of my husband spanking him. Fafnir is usually well behaved, high energy, but listens. He knows basic commands like sit and come. I just want the puppy to be safe and both of them to be happy.

Answer
If the dogs are playing, there's no need to interrupt unless one of the dogs is being hurt or you feel the play is getting too rough.  "Humping" is a natural play behavior for a dog, especially for an older dog who wants to show the puppy who's in charge.  I wouldn't let it go on for too long, but it's not something that has to be eliminated entirely.

Get some of your best dog treats out and call Fafnir frequently during the dog play and give him a food reward for coming to you.  Require that he calm down a minute and focus on you, then allow him to go back to play. If he doesn't come when you call or can't calm down, give him a time-out.  Put him in his crate or put him outside for just a few minutes.  Don't allow play to escalate to the point of being out of control.  

This is a great thing to do with the puppy, too.  Get him used to being called away, being rewarded for it, then ultimately being allowed to go back to doing what he really wants to do.  Play between these dogs should be encouraged.  It will tire the puppy out and get your older dog some exercise as well.

I'm glad you recognize that smacking a dog is not the right way to reduce "bad" behaviors.  It will only create fear and possibly create aggression; and in Fafnir's case, it just doesn't work!