My unspayed female puppy is hyper, humping toys. How to calm her?

I wouldn't be alarmed by this as it is likely a behavioral problem. Mounting, thrusting and / or masturbation in dogs is a normal behavior. However, excessive amounts of this can be problematic and may need to be addressed by a behaviorist. An occasional episode of humping should not be a cause for concern and neutering does not always fix this 100% of the time. If it becomes excessive, I would research a behaviorist in your area and schedule a consultation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions / concerns

This is a very normal behavior, espeically in an uneutered male puppy. If it bothers you I would recommend reading this article: https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/poodles_embarrassing_greeting_behavior/ by veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin which gives detailed recommendation on how to treat this issue.

In this case, a calming tab will not ease ChikiLou. I see that she isn't spayed and she is likely acting aggressively towards other female dogs due to hormones. She will be letting them know they are in her territory and may be trying to complete for attention from male dogs. Because it's hormonally related, a calming tab will likely not help at all. The best way to help reduce this behavior is to have her spayed.

Humping behavior is not restricted to male dogs and we often see females performing this behavior. It can be a result of excitement or stress but in some instances can be a form of dominance or aggression. You can try to distract/discourage your dog by offering a toy or play when your dog starts this behavior, or teaching your dog the "leave it" command and applying it to other dogs she may approach. If the behavior is excessive or becoming more aggressive then a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist is recommended. Here is an article with a little more information on ideas to deal with this behavior: https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/poodles_embarrassing_greeting_behavior/

You are correct, it is most likely stress related. I suggest you get her an Adaptil collar to wear and use the Adaptil diffuser in your house for a few months. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/site/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?s=adaptil&hierarchy=&sort=score%20desc I also think that, in general, most calming chews/treats don't work well but this brand really seems to help. So, if you also want to try these chews as well, I would recommend them. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=117298 Hopefully these things will help reduce her stress/anxiety. Best wishes!

I certainly understand and sympathize with your situation. I have a young dog. I have a few suggestions for you that have helped me. One thing that people think of first is treats that keep them busy for a longer period of time. This does seem to help. You can use long lasting treats like a Kong filled with peanut butter, yogurt, treats, etc and frozen so it takes longer for him to eat. My dog also really like Bully Sticks which I also freeze to make them last a little longer. Keep him mentally and physically busy during meal times. I love using a feeding balls like a Buster Cube or Tricky Treat ball to feed meals in. It keeps him busy for at least 5-10 minutes at each meal and requires him to work. And speaking of working. I have found that my dog is the most tired after we have done a good round of training. Even if you have done a basic obedience class, I would consider trying an advanced class, a nose work class, a tricks class, etc. And if taking a class isn't an option right now, work on training at home. When he goes on walks, make him sit at each corner before he crosses the street. It sounds simple, but additional mental stimulation can go a long way. Playing with other dogs is a great outlet for energy. If you haven't tried it yet, look into your local dog park or doggy daycare center. Sending my youngest dog to daycare once a week has made a huge difference. There are a number of interactive dog games and toys available now. Outward Hound makes a number of toys that your dog has to figure out a puzzle of some type before they get a treats. Here are some ideas for those. https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-toys/interactive-dog-toys/dog-puzzle-toys-and-games I have not tried the Clever Pet yet, but it is an electronic interactive toy that am intrigued about it. clever.pet So, I think the key is to vary his activities daily and include a wide range of physical and mental stimulation. Be sure to be creative to tire him out on a regular basis and help everyone keep their sanity. I hope that was helpful! Thanks for using PetCoach.

Has anything changed in the household? New people? New pets? Babies who started crawling/walking? Construction? Guests? Change of furniture? Changed schedules of routine? Etc.. Sometimes when there is some type of change it can strike up this behavior because they are anxious and trying to figure out what to do with themselves. They can also do it if they are trying to portray dominance. You can tell him "no" and take his toy away. If there is a particular toy that he likes to hump, I would get rid of it. You can also give him a calming chew like composure and a calming collar like adaptil. I hope this helps!