How to Stop Dog Mounting or Humping
As with lots of bad dog behaviors, one of the first things that you want to do as an owner is to start correcting the problem early in your dog’s life. If you want to stop dog mounting (humping), it’s important not to dismiss the action as funny.
It is not uncommon for owners to laugh at a young dog that is displaying this behavior and this is more true when it comes to male owners. However, what appeared funny as a pup can quickly turn into horror with a 150lb dog. It is also a dangerous, and not so funny thing, if you have small kids in your home.
Stop Dog Humping Fast
One of the keys to stopping any bad behavior is to interrupt it immediately. That means that you have to be paying close attention to your dog and learn how to read his body language. Depending on your particular dog, there are always some initial signs that he is getting excited and ready to mount you, a family member, or guest. By the way, mounting is not always done for strictly sexual reasons. Your dog may be overly dominant or even just playing.
One step that you can take is to remove your dog from the area. Dogs love to be around their owners so placing him in another room or crate could help him to get the message. This can be very tiring if your dog is constantly trying to hump someone but you need to be persistent. Some owners might consider this a form of punishment and are uncomfortable using it, but it really depends on how you execute. There is no need for aggressive yelling, etc. Simply give your dog a strong “no” type command and casually remove him.
Use Distractions to Stop Bad Behavior
Distractions can also work to stop dog humping. You could use your dog’s favorite toy, or some other distraction to stop the action. This is not something you want to do while your dog is in the process because he will become confused and think that you are giving him a toy because of the humping. You must distract him before he has a chance to mount.
In a very severe case of mounting/humping, you may need to see your vet for a little surgery. Men cringe at the thought of having their boy dogs castrated but your dog won’t understand what you did so don’t worry. In the long run, this method can really help to have a calmer dog but it’s not always 100% effective.
