How to Stop Dog Humping

So its bank holiday Monday today, and I thought I'd give you a laugh with this, but it is also quite interesting at the same time.

It's rude, it's crude and it is just wrong on SO MANY levels.

Maybe your dog humps guests that visit your home.

Perhaps he's humping random passerbys on the street.

It's possible the victims are as innocent as couch pillows, doggy toys or your favorite chair.

Whatever sets off this habit...

Your dog is humping everything and everyone in sight. Finally, enough is enough! This embarrassing problem has grown out of control and it's time you put it to rest.

This article will show you how with some great tips to get started. So, without further ado...

Let's discuss how to stop dog humping permanently.

Why Your Dog is Humping

Believe it or not, 90% of the time dog humping has nothing to do with sex.

I remember the first time my dog was humped by another male dog. I was in my apartment's elevator at the time with a friendly neighbor who had a cute little Maltese. The dog I was training at the time was a small Yorkie.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, the Maltese mounted my yorkie and started humping like the energizer bunny.

He just kept going and going...

My neighbor's face was priceless. He turned to me and said "I'm so sorry, I had no idea my dog was gay."

He was actually serious and I had to hold back my laughter at his uninformed remark.

It wasn't his fault. Really, most people don't know any better. But the fact is, dog humping, whether it be on a leg, another dog or a piece of furniture, is rarely sexual in nature.

In reality, when your dog humps or mounts, it is establishing its dominance over another.

Dog humping is the result of dog trying to size up its opponent and apply itself as higher up on the ladder of the pack.

If the humpee surrenders to your dogs humping by laying down or doing nothing, then in your dog's eyes, it has established leadership in the order of the pack.

It's just basic instinct so don't feel like this is something you've done wrong in your dog upbringing. I promise you're still a good, loving dog parent.

The trick to resolving this is knowing the exact training techiques to stop dog humping without making your dog confused or anxious.

3 Ways to Stop Dog Humping Behavior

Below are 3 ways to stop dog humping. You do NOT want to apply all 3 methods at the same time. Try each one separately for 2 weeks at a time. If a strategy appears to be working, don't try another tactic. Continue with the one that is working.

However, you should try a strategy for AT LEAST 2 weeks before moving onto another one.

Strategy #1

The first way is the most obvious. Say "No" with a stern voice. Drive home the point that this is bad by using a loud and disapproving tone.

Try using a spray bottle. Yes, you'll need to carry a spray bottle with you for a bit until your dog is trained out of the habit. However, using a spray bottle is a gentle way to give your dog the message fast.

When your dog initiates the humping, spray him in the face with cold water from the spray bottle while simultaneously yelling no. Forcefully pull him off the object or uhh...person.

As you know, positive reinforcement is the best kind of training, however, this is one of the few exceptions when scolding your dog during the act of the negative behavior may be required.

Strategy #2

Distraction can work as well. Many dog owners find that dog humping is a temporary habit. Try distracting your dog with a toy, a walk, exercise or a training session.

Dog humping is an instinctual response. Change your dog's focus and he'll stop the behavior.

Strategy #3

Ignoring your dog is another alternative. Don't underestimate the simplicity of this solution. Your dog is well aware of your presence.

If you've been following the guidelines in this site, by now your dog looks at you as the Alpha Dog of the house.

He's performing these mounting and humping displays to either show you his dominance or exercise his prowess for your admiration.

Walk out of the room when you see him humping. Your dog will stop humping and follow you to obtain your attention in some other way. Ignoring your dog's performance will let him know that his humping is not gaining your approval.

Hope you've found this interesting, please remember to comment :)

Commenting

Just made it so you don't have to enter a word verification to comment, so its nice and easy and quick now! :)

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

Understanding Why Dogs Yawn – Hint…It’s Not ALWAYS Because They’re Tired!

There is no doubt that a dog is really man’s best friend. These adorable furry creatures are loving, loyal and never cease to provide their human family with endless joy and companionship. The pet will stick with you through thick and thin. Dogs are known to ape what their masters do. It is really quite amusing to see that a dog will empathize with the master even with yawning. A master coming in from the office very tired will yawn; the dog can be seen yawning too.

People yawn when they are bored, sleepy and fatigued. Interestingly, foetuses that are 12 weeks old are seen yawning. Yawning in dogs however, has no definitive reason. When we see our pets yawn we take it for granted that their reason for yawning is pretty much the same as the reason why we do.

Scientists have theorized that dogs yawn when they are bored. If you are an observant pet owner you will see at once that the pet is bored. Most often the dog will look at you with imploring eyes, yawn and then flop to the ground. The dog is telling you “come on, play with me”

A yawning dog with a tense and rigidly held body is a sign that the dog is nervous. This reaction is often seen in obedience classes where the dog is pressured. The dog wants to please the master but does not know how. If you are training your dog and you noticed him yawning, you better let up. Proceeding with the training will not have positive results anyway. Let the dog rest for a while and encourage with verbal praises.

Excitement is another reason why dogs yawn. Dogs in agility competitions are often noted yawning. This is the dogs way of coping with the excitement. A dog in the starting line is ready and raring to go to scale the obstacle. By yawning, the dog is preparing its body for the action. The deep breaths fill the lungs and boost the flow of oxygen to the brain. This also increases the heart rate. Really quite amazing how the dog will cope with situations such as this!

Commonly, dogs yawn because they are tired and sleepy. Yawning is precursor to sleeping. Dogs like cats sleep a lot so it will not be an extraordinary thing to see your pet yawning.

Studies have proven that yawning is contagious. If you yawn, somebody else will yawn too. Dog handlers have used the fact that yawning can energize, calm and relax a dog. By yawning, they can induce the pet to yawn too.

Find out more about why dogs yawn and many other interesting questions about dogs at Sarah’s Dogs. Sarah’s Dogs has profiles of most common and many rare breeds as well as answers to common questions on dog behaviour.

Understanding dog yawns can also be crucial in potentially avoiding being attacked by a dog.

As yawning can be such a visual display of stress or anxiety, if you happen to notice a dog is constantly yawning when you approach it or even petting it (especially on the head), this could be a stress signal coming from the dog.

A guide to canine mouth signals:

1. Mouth relaxed and slightly open, tongue may be slightly visible or even slightly draped over the lower teeth: This is the dog equivalent of the human smile. It means “I am happy and relaxed.”

2. Yawn: While it is usually interpreted by humans as meaning fatigue or boredom, it can actually be a stress-related signal, best interpreted as “I am tense or anxious.”

3. Lips curled to expose some teeth, mouth still mostly closed: “You are annoying me!” This is the first sign of menace or threat.

4. Lips curled up to show major teeth, some wrinkling of the area above the nose, mouth partly open: “If you do something that I might interpret as a threat, I may bite.” This is the next stage of threat but may also indicate fearfulness. Pressing a dog at this stage may lead to an aggressive attack.

5. Lips curled up to expose not only all of the teeth but also the gums above the front teeth, visible wrinkles above the nose: “Back off!” This is the full threat display that indicates a dog is ready to release a violent attack. If you are ever confronted with this display, you should not turn and run: the level of arousal is so high that your movement will probably produce a pursuit-and-attack response. Instead, cast your gaze slightly down (a slightly submissive eye position), open your mouth a bit (a bit of a counter-threat), and back off slowly.

Colourful dog

Just found a cute dogs head with a colourful rainbow background! It looks so cute have a look:

My dog

This is my dog, he is a golden Labrador pedigree retriever, he is just over 6 years old, and we have had him for all that time.
I hope you like him, please leave a comment if you have a dog to, and what type it is! :)