What's the best medicine for 'The Hump'?

[Francesca]

I know it's all part of the development of the healthy pup  but Pepper has recently discovered the joy of humping. Everything. Especially my legs as I try to move through the house carrying hot liquids....

It's just pure lust for life rather lust for my leg, I know, but just wondered what the correct way of dealing with it is? Obviously don't want to tell him off for it as it's just a part of growing up, but should I stand still? Push him off? Distract him?

At the moment, I just extricate myself (with difficulty) and then head for the sofa (legs up and out of danger's way)....

[vickyl]

hi,
as no one else has replied yet, i will 

i dont allow any of my dogs to hump anything.... humping is a form of dominance, its what pups do to find out who is going to be the top dog so to speak. the top dog is allowed to hump    your little pepper is telling you that he is top dog over you!

if one of my pups do it i tell take them off and tell them a stern 'NO'! they soon get the message and the humping stops. if you dont do anything about it it will just keep happening IMO

my jack who is 14 weeks old tomorrow tried it on a bit when he first came but we havent had any humping for weeks now.   

[Mudmagnets]

I did think of replying but the only remedy I could come up with was a camel

[Han]

hi,
as no one else has replied yet, i will 

i dont allow any of my dogs to hump anything.... humping is a form of dominance, its what pups do to find out who is going to be the top dog so to speak. the top dog is allowed to hump    your little pepper is telling you that he is top dog over you!

if one of my pups do it i tell take them off and tell them a stern 'NO'! they soon get the message and the humping stops. if you dont do anything about it it will just keep happening IMO

my jack who is 14 weeks old tomorrow tried it on a bit when he first came but we havent had any humping for weeks now.   

  I suspect that in reality Pepper is humping because he has discovered it feels kinda nice! But i don't hold with dominance theory 

Darcey likes to hump your arm if you tickle her belly, she also has a particular love for the dustpan and brush. I also just extricate myself and tell her a gentle no. I also tend to giggle, which probably doesn't really help 

[JennyBee]

It sounds as if Pepper is recovering well from his ordeal . 

I agree with Han,  don’t really agree with the ‘dominance’ thing.  It’s just natural behaviour for a puppy, Brodie’s been doing it since day one (she doesn’t do it as often though, thankfully ).  I’d just try to distract Pepper with toys or do as you are doing and remove yourself… give it time and I’m sure he’ll eventually give up

[Karma]

I think what you are doing is fine!  It is part of normal growing up (boys and girls both do it, and IMO it's nothing to do with dominance...)

You could also try just diverting his attention onto something else (game of tug etc).

[Top Barks]

hi,
as no one else has replied yet, i will 

i dont allow any of my dogs to hump anything.... humping is a form of dominance, its what pups do to find out who is going to be the top dog so to speak. the top dog is allowed to hump    your little pepper is telling you that he is top dog over you!

if one of my pups do it i tell take them off and tell them a stern 'NO'! they soon get the message and the humping stops. if you dont do anything about it it will just keep happening IMO

my jack who is 14 weeks old tomorrow tried it on a bit when he first came but we havent had any humping for weeks now.   

Dogs hump for various reasons and is perfectly normal in puppies and often triggered by hormonal changes. it is often seen when the dog is excited or after feeding. People are often mounted because their response is rewarding to the dog even if we think we are telling them off but it is certainly not trying to be top dog by doing this! It is inappropriate in the human context so should be discouraged, but in my oppinion the dog should be given a clear instruction of what to do rather than just using the word no.
What instruction does the word no Give? It is your tone of voice that interupts the behaviour and not the words you use.
I find it easier to ask my dog to sit or lie down, which gives them an instruction to perform an alternate trained behaviour.

[waggytails]

Lately every evening Hattie brings her cuddle toy over to us and then starts humpping it, we just tell her no and remove the toy from her. Just hoping she will grow out of it.

[Top Barks]

Lately every evening Hattie brings her cuddle toy over to us and then starts humpping it, we just tell her no and remove the toy from her. Just hoping she will grow out of it.

Could be attention seeking behaviour have you thought of ignoring it rather than saying anything?

[waggytails]

Do you mean just let her carry on humpping or take it off her without saying anything.

[Top Barks]

Try both, but see what happens if you do nothing at all for a few days. it maybe that it is not an attention seeking thing and driven by other motivation but there is only one way to find out.

[waggytails]

Try both, but see what happens if you do nothing at all for a few days. it maybe that it is not an attention seeking thing and driven by other motivation but there is only one way to find out.

Thanks i will try ignoring her and see what happens.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

hi,
as no one else has replied yet, i will 

i dont allow any of my dogs to hump anything.... humping is a form of dominance, its what pups do to find out who is going to be the top dog so to speak. the top dog is allowed to hump    your little pepper is telling you that he is top dog over you!

if one of my pups do it i tell take them off and tell them a stern 'NO'! they soon get the message and the humping stops. if you dont do anything about it it will just keep happening IMO

my jack who is 14 weeks old tomorrow tried it on a bit when he first came but we havent had any humping for weeks now.   

Guess Im way below Brie in the pecking order then as she humps my leg when shes excited.

It doesnt happen often but I am very immature and can never stop myself bursting out laughing at her 

[Top Barks]

I'm also way below Douglas coz he has the occasional hump when he is worked up or worried sometimes!
Shock horror, he even sleeps on my bed! How dominant is that?!!!

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

Shock horror, he even sleeps on my bed! How dominant is that?!!!

Now thats taking it too far, I have a no cockers upstairs rule 

Nothing to do with dominance I have just seen where they have been during the day, Yeuch

I also need one room in this mad house which is animal free