My 9-week-old puppy keeps humping my other dog. How can I stop it?

It's normal for dogs to want to sniff each other's butts - this is how they say hello, and they get a lot of information about each other from scents in this area. Humping is a common play behavior in puppies, and is also very normal. If Snowball seems to be doing excessively, you can gently redirect him to some other activity when he begins doing it. Otherwise, Brownie will probably let him know if he's bothered by it.

This definitely can be happening because Buddy is feeling uncomfortable. I would continue to have monitored meet and greet sessions, and if someone becomes too nervous or starts to try humping behavior, separate and let both dogs relax. Sometimes, dogs do well with mutual activities such as a walk or running around a backyard as this can help them focus on something else (the walk) instead of focusing entirely on the other dog. This may also help nervous dogs calm down a little by changing their focus. It does take time for dogs to get used to each other, so keeping up with the meet and greets, adding in a mutual activity, and providing places for both dogs to go and relax on their own without the other bothering them is best. I would not discipline the behavior, especially if your dogs are trying to communicate their needs to each other, and instead just calmly separate, allow them to calm down, and then reintroduce.

When dogs hump other dogs it’s often a way to show dominance rather than being sexual behavior. I expect this to stop when he’s sure he’s boss and the puppy is submissive. I recommend distracting him with a treat or toy or taking him for a walk. If you make too much of this behavior it might reinforce it so I’d try distraction over discipline. As the puppy grows and they settle in together this should stop. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your dogs.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Humping isn't always sexual in nature, dogs can hump to show dominance or from anxiety. All this is very new for Cubby. It has only been one day and he will need time to acclimate. I would always keep Cubby leased to an adult and when he starts getting rough, make him sit or lay down and give him a treat. Consider the muzzle gentle leader to control him better. Be sure to provide adequate exercise and play with Cubby. They can be jealous about how affection is given. If the behavior doesn't start to calm down I would call your Vet monday for temporary "doggie downers" to calm him. I hope this helps and I wish everyone the very best!

He is at the age of puberty! The fastest way to stop puberty behavior is to have him neutered. He is young enough it can stop a lot of unwanted behaviors such as humping and urinated excessively by marking and lifting his leg. It will not help humping as a result of dominance. This how dogs show one another who is in charge. So if he is doing to it to some people and not others, then he is proving he is charge of them and does not respect (listen) to them. The best way to correct this is to encourage training sessions to make him obey and listen so he understands he is not in charge and that behavior is unacceptable.

I see that Bailey is still very young, about three months old :) This is very normal behavior for a puppy this age - they want to put their mouth on everything and would rather bite than be held or petted. This is how they explore the world, and how they instinctively want to play. Humping is also a common attention-seeking behavior in young puppies, or can be a sign of over-excitement or frustration. The good news is, these issues will improve on their own as he gets older; it's a normal developmental stage for puppies, just like toddlers who grab everything with their hands and may not always want to be hugged or held. At this age, you may only be able to pet him or cuddle with him when he's sleepy - this is okay. If he bites your hands, just stop petting and ignore him until he calms down, or grab one of his toys and use that to engage him in play. Most dogs are no longer mouthing nearly as much by the time they are 8-12 months old, so hang in there - just be patient and consistent, and he will get calmer and easier to pet as he gets older.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! No, that much humping is not normal and Shadow acting aggressive when stopped is not normal. I recommend aggressive training. Start practicing: sit, stay, come, etc. He should have plenty of exercise: doggy daycare, walks, parks, one on one play. Keep a leash on him and use a gentle leader for the muzzle. When he start to hump, gently use the leash/gentle leader to make him stop as soon as he starts. Make him sit, give him a treat and play with him. Do not grab him or touch him where he can bite you. Humping is not always sexual in nature, but I would neuter him due this behavior and the aggression he is showing. Humping can also be due to anxiety or to show dominance. https://www.petco.com/shop/SearchDisplay?categoryId=&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&pageView=&beginIndex=0&pageSize=24&fromPageValue=search&searchTerm=gentle+leader&omnitureEnabled=false&cm_sp=SearchSuggest-_-gentle+leader-_-Location&searchsuggestion_keyword=gentle+leader I hope this helps!