Our dog is humping visitors-- especially children! Help!

[EmilyZA]

We moved into our house a year ago. Since then, when we have guests over, our dog licks them like crazy and then starts humping them. It typically happens with women, and almost always with children.

What is causing this? How can I get it to stop? On top of it all, we're expecting, and I'm afraid it will get worse once the baby comes b/c it will throw his life into more of a loop. Any thoughts?

[PinkMartini]

My male yorkie started humping (not people - his toys) at around 6 months. DH & I refused to tolerate the behaviour so we started squirting him with a water bottle each time we caught him. It took about 2 weeks and we haven't seen him do it since!

Good luck :)

[imagirliegirl]

Stupid question, but is he fixed?

[EmilyZA]

Stupid question, but is he fixed?
Yes, he is.

[sublime311]

If I'm not mistaken, this is definitely a sign of dominance. Along with the humping, his licking also makes me think your dog is not balanced. I would HIGHLY suggest some obedience training. Cesar Milan's books are excellent and could give you a lot of insight into what's going on with your dog. Your local library should carry them.

Cesar's methods have changed our walks with our two dogs. One in particular was VERY dominant during walks and HAD to be in front of everyone. Now she walks at our side without problem.

Good luck!

[EmilyZA]

If I'm not mistaken, this is definitely a sign of dominance. Along with the humping, his licking also makes me think your dog is not balanced.

Thanks for your response. I think it's a dominance issue too. It's weird b/c he's normally such a laid back, normal dog, until we have guests (although most of our guests who have dogs still think he's very well behaved, compared to their dogs!) What do you mean by not balanced?

[jesvet]

Sure, sounds like dominance to me too.

Training is definitely a good idea. Cesar works for some but his techniques are definitely considered controversial; I would work on finding a dog training professional whose training philosophy agrees with you- whatever that might be- and work on it with them.

[katmg]

Sounds like Dominance to me too. I really like the book Leader of the Pack - you can find it on Amazon. I learned a lot about dominance from that. Our weimie likes to continually test us to see who is "really" in charge, but it has gotten a lot better since we read that book. (FWIW, he has also been professionally trained.)

[sublime311]

Thanks for your response. I think it's a dominance issue too. It's weird b/c he's normally such a laid back, normal dog, until we have guests (although most of our guests who have dogs still think he's very well behaved, compared to their dogs!) What do you mean by not balanced?

I'm a firm believer in Cesar's methods. My definition of balance comes from him:

A balanced dog is in the state Mother Nature wants it to be in – as a calm-submissive pack follower, who is fulfilled physically with exercise; psychologically with rules, boundaries and limitations; and emotionally with affection from its owner.

More about Cesar, here:
http://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/index.php

[EmilyZA]

My mom has Cesar's book... I will definitely borrow it from her. We've seen him on TV in the past and he is amazing.

I just hope I can convince my husband that this is a serious problem... our dog is really well behaved, except those times when he humps visitors (and it's not all the time, but enough to be a big problem to me!)

[jajacobsen]

It seems to be most definitely dominance to me, especially due to teh fact that he is most likely to hump children and then more likely to hump women guests than men guests. I

In the doggie world, feminism does not exist and men rank higher than women. It seems like your husband is alpha and you are his consort, or the mother, so both of you ran higher than the dog. Male guests are oftenseen as superior as well. due to higher pitched voices, women and then children are seen as equals or less than equals, and possibly gain a lot of attention from you. Your dog is trying to show his dominance over them.

It sounds as if your dog is highly trainable - so I would try to work with a trainer to help establish (in the dog's mind) his proper place in the pecking order.