Oh Dear God, the Humping has Begun

Firstly, I am so sorry for my many, many posts on here, you're all sick of me I'm sure but this only just started today, so yeah. Loki has begun humping his monkey teddy. It used to function as prey, but now it's expanded its uses to a lover too. Anyway, I didn't do anything, I just looked the other way and felt awkward while he did his thing. I've read on here a few times that if dogs hump people or dogs, to stop them because it can become a dominance thing, but I assumed this was sexual behaviour rather than dominance (or am I wrong?), so do I still stop him even though he's just doing it to the teddy?

Another thing is...my mum is adamant that I get him neutered when he's six months old. He's my dog, but it's my parents' house, so I need to convince them it's for the best to wait til he's older. She thinks that unneutered dogs turn because they're sexually frustrated and that they just hump everything/everyone constantly, and that they're badly behaved, and that neutering solves all of this. Any personal experiences on this subject would be greatly appreciated, because I think it'd help if she saw Staff owners with neutered and unneutered dogs who can put her mind at rest. Thanks in advance

My little puppy's losing his innocence

I'd be inclined to stop the humping behaviour, but maybe someone else can shine a light on this as I've not experience it and Baileys 1yr old on Saturday lol! Bet I've just jinxed myself now

Neutering is a bit of a hit and miss, it's what you would rather do. Don't just jump into it though, read up about the pro's and con's of it!
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t18747-couple-of-interesting-articles-in-dog-world-about-early-neutering#267334
Couple of link for you to read through! But Baileys unneutered and he's never humped or ran off when he smells a b!tch in season, he's not aggressive or shown any aggressive tendencies!

Mine used to hump the odd thing after he was castrated.
There wasn't anything else left to chop off, so I used to let him get on with it, to be honest.
He never displayed dominance as a result of being allowed to hump.
My rabbit, Ralph, also used to get jiggy with his fluffy toy rabbit companion - but that was on a daily basis.

I've said it before Chance IS neutered and sometimes still humps, he marks everywhere and is massively dominant.

I don't neuter but i'd always advice to wait until at least 18 months if not 2 years before doing so

With the humping i'd redirect his focus tell him no, and use a treat or toy as a reward

Exactly, I've read about the pros and cons and have decided that if I do neuter Loki, it wont be until he's older. Just that my mum thinks that neutering stops the humping, any aggression, and general hyperactivity. I wasn't sure whether or not to stop him in case it'd confuse him. Like when you tell a puppy "no" for chewing, you should give them something they can chew on so they know they can still chew. I'll try distracting him . Thanks for your input all of you, that's what I was looking for, people with dogs that show that it isn't a black and white thing

Neutering can help with the mounting, and I know people who (if they where on this forum) would back me up, but it is mostly down to training.

Moo tries to hump her her play mate sometimes, and she is the bitch!!

I suppose it depends how bad the humping is and what he is humping, if it's a favourite toy or pillow i'd leave him to it, but other dogs/people i'd correct and redirect the behaviour

And that shouldn't confuse him? Then again, I guess if they can learn to chew on some things but not others, the same concept applies here?

Exactly same concept it takes patience, although you can always just stop him humping everything it's up to you.

ANattyRat wrote:Firstly, I am so sorry for my many, many posts on here, you're all sick of me I'm sure but this only just started today, so yeah. Loki has begun humping his monkey teddy. It used to function as prey, but now it's expanded its uses to a lover too. Anyway, I didn't do anything, I just looked the other way and felt awkward while he did his thing. I've read on here a few times that if dogs hump people or dogs, to stop them because it can become a dominance thing, but I assumed this was sexual behaviour rather than dominance (or am I wrong?), so do I still stop him even though he's just doing it to the teddy?

Don't apologise for asking questions, the only stupid questions are those that are not asked, how else are you to find out what to do if you don'g ask?

Dogs hump when they are over excited, Cyril does it when playing sometimes, it has nothing to do with dominance. You have a pup who is trying to work out what he can or can't do. Personally I stop Cyril if he is trying to hump one of the others but if he was humping a toy I wouldn't bother, it is a way he can get rid of a lot of his feelings which isn't a bad thing. How you stop him is relevant, I usually try to distract him but sometimes I have to gently touch him first.

Another thing is...my mum is adamant that I get him neutered when he's six months old. He's my dog, but it's my parents' house, so I need to convince them it's for the best to wait til he's older. She thinks that unneutered dogs turn because they're sexually frustrated and that they just hump everything/everyone constantly, and that they're badly behaved, and that neutering solves all of this. Any personal experiences on this subject would be greatly appreciated, because I think it'd help if she saw Staff owners with neutered and unneutered dogs who can put her mind at rest. Thanks in advance

My little puppy's losing his innocence

Cyril was neutered as a pup, I would never recommend it to anyone, he is a puppy brain in an adult body, when I first got him he was a nightmare, lots of puppy behaviour with the strength of a full grown Staffy. Thankfully my 3 girls have worked wonders on him.

The best way to stop bad behaviour is to train your pup, the more you train him the better and easier you will get through his teenage hooligan stage. Also exercise is relevant, he will need a lot of exercise as he matures, this doesn't have to be walks, you can play mind games with him, they will tire him out, also put up an obstacle course in your back garden. He is too young to jump but there are other things to do with him, make tunnels, weaving, front paws on a piece of wood, preferably raise, back legs up on the wood as well. Teach him to dance, there is a lot of fun doing that, figure of eight through your legs, twirling, etc. The more you do with him the better he will be.

Show your mum these sites:

http://niceorg.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/early-spay-and-neuter-causes-cancer/

I don't like this man's training methods but he speaks sence here.

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/medical/neuter.shtml

Thanks for the advice and the links

Kind of confused about whether or not to stop him doing it to his teddy though. I mean, if I were to stop him doing it to anything, would it not be mean in the sense that it's stopping him from doing something that he can't really help, or is it just another behaviour that can be gotten rid of? Ah, I don't know, confusing, but he only did it once, so I guess I have time to think about it.

well if he did it once to a teddy, i'd leave him to it. It's a great way for them to relive some tension

I would try top stop him no matter what he did it to because otherwise he could be confused. To him, there's no difference in humping a cushion a toy or another dog or human - it's a behaviour that comes naturally to him.

Neutering may help, but is by no means guaranteed, and as many neutered dogs hump as un neutered - in fact bitches do it as well.

It isn't dominance as such, although he may do it to another dog to establish hierarchy - somedogs will not tolerate it, though, & it could start a fight.

As to the right time to neuter, as you probably know, I'm one of the most outspoken people on the forum about neutering too early. I'm not against neutering (although I don't do my own dogs) but it's a very personal choice & I've nothing against other people getting it done as long as the dog has matured first.

Early neutering delays the closure of the growth plates & could make your dog leggier & narrower than it would otherwise have been. It can also cause nervous aggression in a dog that hasn't been allowed to mature mentally and gain self confidence.

I would imagine that you've seen this....

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs

and this...

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering/spaying_neutering.shtml

I have seen those links, thanks I already decided that if I do neuter him, it won't be until he's older so he's matured and everything. Just that I want to give my mum some peace of mind that unneutered dogs aren't guaranteed to be aggressive, uncontrollable sex maniacs, as she sees it.

No, as long as they're trained & controlled they're no different to any other dogs - except that some dogs that are neutered too early can actually become aggressive through lack of self confidence.

Humping is a natural doggie thing which neutered dogs & bitches will also do!

When a dog is neutered between the age of 6 months up to them becoming an adult, they are neutered in their second fear period, dogs need the testerone to cope with the second fear period, take that away from them and they become very nervous dogs who lack confidence.

When I firset got Joe he humped everything, I was told that neutering would help so I got him neutered, it was the worst mistake I evey made with my dogs and if I could have taken it back I would have. Joe became a very nervous dog that was scared of his own shadow. I done what was recommended by someone I thought know what they were doing. Joe was the first and last dog I have had neutered, with hindsight he was very stressed because of the conditions he was living in. The 4 year old daughter treated him like a doll, the teenage sone gave him drugs, he didn't stand a chance. If I got a dog like him now I would give him something to hump but not let him hump people. Dogs can learn that some things are out of bounds and some are not.

Cyril was neutered before I got him.

Neutering wont cure humping outright thats a fact, especially as hes already started it. Neutering may only cure testostorone related problems and then not all as the testicals are not the only thing to produce it albeit the main source. Humping is a behavioural attribute for any animal. Ive seen male and female dogs, rabbits and even rats do it.
Just treat it like you would any other behaviour problem. Neutering isnt a silver bullet cure all people think it is. And for the record am not anti neuter as ive just had my boy done on mondayfor certain big reasons off this topic. Good luck mate, you can do it if you treat it like all the other things puppyhood throws at us.

Thanks again everyone I'm thankful there are so many people here willing to share their own experiences on the topic.

OK...I just caught him humping the monkey again, and this time he peed on it. I'm not quite sure if he was aiming for the floor and just got the monkey by accident, or if it was a part of his humping, or he just wanted the toilet, but...I don't know. Is this a sexual thing, or a dominance thing? Or something else? He hasn't done it to anything or anyone else, just the monkey. Anyway, should I stop him doing it to the monkey, or just let him as long as it's not people, dogs, other inappropriate things, etc.? Quite confusing cos I don't want to let him get into a bad habit, but if it relieves tension and they can be taught to do it to certain things but not others, then maybe just setting limits would be better?

Personally, I don't allow it full stop. I don't think it's fair to the dog to allow it with one thing but not another. I know somebody said that they can differentiate bewteen what's allowed & what isn't, but I just don't allow it.

Are you sure he peed on it? It wasn't, um, something else?

Caryll wrote:Personally, I don't allow it full stop. I don't think it's fair to the dog to allow it with one thing but not another. I know somebody said that they can differentiate bewteen what's allowed & what isn't, but I just don't allow it.

Are you sure he peed on it? It wasn't, um, something else?

That's why I asked, because it seems like it'd be very confusing, but at the same time, I know it's a similar thing with chewing, so not too sure.

Well, most of it was on the floor rather than the monkey, and it definitely looks like he peed, as opposed to anything else. Why must they grow up? This is shameful

What was he doing immediately before he started to hump his monkey?

From what are saying I suspect it is just over excitement but I can't see him you can, go with your instincts, if you feel you should stop it then do, if you feel he is relieving stress and don't want to interfer with that then leave him.

Cyril is a very tense dog, is he a tense dog? What may help him is TTouch.

I see you are like me a Scouser but I emigrated to Yorkshire in 1975, I still miss the humour. There is a very good trainer in South Liverpool, I can't remember the name unfortuately, but they are positive trainers with a lot of experience. If I heard the name I would know it.

Cyril baby wrote:What was he doing immediately before he started to hump his monkey?

From what are saying I suspect it is just over excitement but I can't see him you can, go with your instincts, if you feel you should stop it then do, if you feel he is relieving stress and don't want to interfer with that then leave him.

Cyril is a very tense dog, is he a tense dog? What may help him is TTouch.

I see you are like me a Scouser but I emigrated to Yorkshire in 1975, I still miss the humour. There is a very good trainer in South Liverpool, I can't remember the name unfortuately, but they are positive trainers with a lot of experience. If I heard the name I would know it.

I reckon it is over-excitement, but I was just wondering if there was an underlying reason behind it. It's only ever when he's very playful, and it's like the third time he's done it, so it's not a huge problem; I just wanted to ask in case it does get worse, so I know what to do. It's when I've been playing with him, and I sit down for a bit to take a break because I'm tired, he'll just start playing with the monkey, ragging it around and doing what they usually do, but then he'll switch between attacking it and humping it. Which is odd, but whatever makes him happy . I'm not sure if it's tension or anything, he's a relaxed dog, never stressed by anything, so I reckon it might be over-excitement.

Oh, and are you talking about Fast Track Dog Training? If so, they were the ones I went to . I went to another class (the one I spoke about in a previous topic) because they allowed the puppies to socialise, but I haven't been back. The Fast Track Dog Training was a four-week course that we went to, and they were helpful, but didn't really learn a great deal.

Can only speak from my own veiw, puppies need learning and experiences when I got my boy although he had learned loads from mum and litter mates I gave him a teddy and I let him do whatever he wanted to it but only that. He humped the stuffing out of it, scragged it round the garden then cuddled up to sleep with it. He isnt neutered, hasnt ever humped us or any guests that have come to our home or even our other dog, neither scent marking anywere I think it taught him vital lessons tbh

ANattyRat wrote:I reckon it is over-excitement, but I was just wondering if there was an underlying reason behind it. It's only ever when he's very playful, and it's like the third time he's done it, so it's not a huge problem; I just wanted to ask in case it does get worse, so I know what to do. It's when I've been playing with him, and I sit down for a bit to take a break because I'm tired, he'll just start playing with the monkey, ragging it around and doing what they usually do, but then he'll switch between attacking it and humping it. Which is odd, but whatever makes him happy . I'm not sure if it's tension or anything, he's a relaxed dog, never stressed by anything, so I reckon it might be over-excitement.

What I do when I have been playing with a pup is to take him outside to toilet as they often need to go then, I then expect them to have a short rest period, 5 minutes will do but it does help calm an excited pup down. Like us humans dogs need to rest as well as be active, they need to be able to relax during the day as well as night especially pups who are still growing and maturing. Cyril I have to make rest, I usually have to put a lead on him so he can't run, play and tease the others.

Oh, and are you talking about Fast Track Dog Training? If so, they were the ones I went to . I went to another class (the one I spoke about in a previous topic) because they allowed the puppies to socialise, but I haven't been back. The Fast Track Dog Training was a four-week course that we went to, and they were helpful, but didn't really learn a great deal.

Yes, that is the one, they are very good there, have a lot of knowlege and understanding of dogs, they are also behaviourists as well as trainers, it is thanks to them and quite a few other behaviourists who helped the owners of the dogs that were taken as Pit Bull type and spent a long time in isolation kennels while their cases went to court. Most of these dogs were traumatised when they came home because of the way they were treated.

There isn't a lot you can do with puppies in classes, letting a group of puppies run loose is not a good idea, it teaches the confident pups to bully and the nervous onces that they have something to fear. There are far to many puppy classes that do this, a well run puppy class you learn how to start to train your pup and I suspect you learnt more than you think judging by the questions you are asking, they are good questions and are showing some understanding of how your puppy thinks.