Humping Puppy

[trishalouise]

I need people's opinions on why a 12 week old puppy is humping? She is a Mini Poodle and we have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She began doing this to my husband about a week after we got her and it seems to mostly happen when she is playing and gets a bit over excited. She has done it to my Dad when he was playing with her with his feet and she has done it a couple of times to my 3 year old daughter - again when she gets a bit too excited. Today she has been doing it to our Greyhound! :rolleyes: They had been playing and the play was starting to get a bit rougher. So my thoughts are that it is just excitement that she doesn't really know what to do with. Would it be unusual for it to be a dominance thing at this age? In all other aspects she is fantastic. We are quite strict on our leadership and doing NILIF. She is crate trained, doing really well with clicker training, socialisation and toilet training - so basically we think she is fab!!! There is just this humping thing that intrigues me.

Trish

[The Spotted Devil]

It's ok, my Dally was a shocker when he was surprisingly young too :rolleyes: He is a very intense, bolshy young lad but is maturing beautifully after a lot of guidance. I tend to think humping in a young pup is an excitement issue that, if left unchecked, turns into a habit. My approach was to teach Zig a "leave" command that basically means "stop being a git and stop doing what you are doing". Plus I removed everything that was worth humping from the room i.e. his bedding, cushions etc. Plus I supervise him all the time so I can correct and praise as appropriate. However, the most important thing I did was WATCH the body language.....when I did that, I could pick the humping behaviour a few minutes before it happened and ask him to "steady" or "leave" or simply stop playing. Just the scraping of a paw on a blanket was enough to warn me. I have tried a water pistol (when I was out of sight) and that also worked a treat.

Also, when I am playing with Zig, it is all on my terms. So, to have the toy thrown for him he must bring it back, give it nicely, then perform a behaviour (e.g. sit, drop, heel, touch my hand etc) before the toy is thrown. Same with tug toys. I didn't encourage "rough" play when Zig was young because he would get too silly, but now we can have a gentle play because I have developed a solid "off" switch I would channel that mad energy into lots of "brain" work and avoid the rough and tumble with people until she has a bit more self-control.

Be very persistent and very consistent! I really hope that helps

[Poodle wrangler]

Don't get too hung up on the "why".

Here we use the lesser known command, "NO SHAG!" (firm, deep, loud voice). Oscar knows exactly what I mean and will stop straight away.

Oscar (mini) does this occasionally, but only to those lower in the pack order (and the occasional quilt ).

He's never, ever done it to me or the husband.

Double check that the husband is up there in pack order- sometimes the dog sees things differently. Intelligent poodles like to be in charge.

Does he feed her or do any training with her? (is still early days)

Triangle of Temptation is great for him to do with her http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=64101.

Print it out and do it exactly as it's written. Great for teaching sit, wait and "no whinge" (our standard used to cry when tied out) too :rolleyes:

[trishalouise]

Thanks guys!

I think you are right - I need to watch for the signs that things are getting a bit out of control and redirect. Steve does do the NILIF stuff with her but we have discussed that he should probably start feeding her sometimes. We haven't done the TOT - but she does sit, wait and make eye contact before being told "OK". He is starting to do some little training sessions with her too so that should help.

Trish

[kymbo]

Here we use the lesser known command, "NO SHAG!"

:rolleyes:

*tears from the visual*

Edited March 7, 2008 by kymbo

[bomberdon]

This has to be the funniest post I've ever read!!!

:rofl: :p :p ;)

[badboyz]

My chi pup has one toy only that he loves to hump - funnily enough it is the toy he arrived with. He has not tried to hump anything else - just this toy. It's a little bunny that sings a silly easter song when you push the hand. We all crack up when he does it - reminds us of Meet the Fockers.