Discover How to Break Your Dogs Embarrassing Humping Habits

Does it get a little embarrassing when your have company over and your dog likes to latch himself to your guest's legs? Was it the last straw when your dog started humping your friend's daughter and it freaked her out? It can be a little alarming to see your sweet and innocent dog form a humping habit. Here are a few things you can do to stop this embarrassing habit.

Get Their Attention:
When you see this unruly and embarrassing behavior, first you need to get your dog's attention. Get it with a sharp voice, clap your hands, or maybe mist them with a water bottle. Don't do anything that could potentially hurt your dog.

You can also do this by stopping them in mid hump with a favorite toy.

Next, figure out why your dog is doing this. Did you know dog humping isn't necessarily a sexual desire? Your dog could be doing to show dominance or a way to deal with stress. Dog humping is not just for one sex, both the female and male can do it. Another reason why dogs do this is because of playful reasons. When dog's are puppies, they hump to initiate play. It's a very common occurrence of dogs between the age of 6 months to 2 years old.

Humping and Dominance
Your dog may be humping because of their need to be dominant.When your dog humps, an increased amount of serotonin flows to his brain, giving your dog the feeling of satisfaction. Dominance and sexual needs go hand in hand. Naturally in dog packs, the alpha leader had the status and power to mate with other female dogs. It wasn't first come first serve, the alpha dog has first choice. It happens more frequently with male dogs but can behaviors can be exhibited by female dogs as well.

Thought about leaving the room? Your dog may be trying to get your attention with humping. If you leave the room suddenly, how does your dog react? You may need to use positive reinforcement when it comes to your dog's humping habit.

Becoming Alpha Dog
Another way you can break this bad habit is if you make it clear to your dog that YOU are the alpha dog.Don't be mean or cruel, just be a strong and positive leader. You can do this by giving your dog boundaries and still giving him the care and love he needs. You can do this with his walks, feeding times to where he sleeps.

Neuter Your Dog
Neutering your dog can significantly change it's humping behavior. Neutering your dog may decrease your dog's testosterone levels,reducing your dog's humping behavior.

Humping may be an embarrassing habit but it's very normal. You have to figure out why your dog is humping, if he is doing it out of playfulness, then he will grow out of it. If your dog is constantly doing it to "relieve himself" than you should consider neutering your dog. If your dog is doing in in front of you and stop when you leave, he is humping out of dominant behaviors.