Behavior Copying? Problem (warning slightly graphic) Please Help

[wemple2]

Hmmmmmm...Now you have me wondering, because Winston ONLY humps my hubby...never me...I wonder why???

[lemonlauren]

Hey! Grrrrrrrr, thanks a lot for laughing at our predicament!!!! Haha, just kidding... if it was one of the rest of you all, I'd be laughing too. Shoot, it's me and still I'm laughing at myself anyways - these little dogs sure do teach you to be able to laugh and shake stuff off.

Thanks in particular to those who had some advice, or at least could tell me we're not totally alone in having a toddler-age puppy who is a humper. I sure hope we don't end up with a dog like that poodle, chattiesmom, lmao.

So far we're doing more bending over at the waist (uggh) instead of being down on the floor with him, and making him do tricks for his food (high-five, sit, and sit-and-stay are pretty reliable already!). I'm hoping this behavior will help to make sure he sees us above him in the household chain of command. Beyond that, he only really gets humpy-feeling about once or twice a day at most, and we just avoid any situations that would put us in humping-range. He seems to only "like" our arms - maybe our legs are too big around, or maybe that idea just hasn't crossed his mind yet. So when he gets humpy, we go outside and run awhile so he tires out and we can put him in his crate for a nap. After he wakes up, the humpiness is gone. What on earth is up with our little weirdo?!?! LOL... gotta laugh, gotta laugh.

Lauren & Nikko

[JoeyP]

LOL ... what a politically incorrect thread

Dogs will try to show dominance by humping
It's part of their language
We might find it embarrassing but they take it as a hello - I'm the top dog around here
Now did your dog pick up on a "Change in the order of thing's" when he saw you and your partner? Who knows

But he's trying to assert dominance
You need to assert your own back
Some tricks
When feeding make believe you are taking the first bites then give it to him
When opening a door ... you go thru first
Walking on a leash don't let him pull you ... try to keep him one or two steps behind
That is dog language ... that YOU are top dog

[lemonlauren]

We've upped the "you are not the pack leader" behaviors a little bit... just simple things like practicing tricks for food, and making him walk beside us calmly when we walk out to the potty area. Him always sitting when we take the leash off or on. Little easy stuff like that.

But anyways, the good news - NO attempted humpings in at least a few days now!!!!! He's even been feisty, and in the mood he would normally be in for feeling humpy, and given the opportunity (accidentally), but he didn't hump!!!! If we're lucky, maybe he just forgot about it. We certainly haven't given him any more demonstrations to refresh his memory, lol.

Lauren & Nikko

[NewYorkieLover]

Good news! It sounds like your work is paying off. Let's hope this improved behavior continues.

[cslat1]

One can't help but chuckle, but I'm sure you are quite concerned. I'm sorry I don't have any answers. I know my little girl who is about 1 1/2 still humps her stuffed animals. Luckily that's all she bothers with, but it is embarrasing. I've tried, Leave It, NO, and ignoring her. I have also taken the stuffed animals away from her. She still does it. Good luck with your dilemma.