(a bit of a random thread, but here goes)

...is 14 months old now, and has only just started to cock his leg and pee on lamp posts etc. (We're so proud! )

To be honest, I thought he was never gonna do it... We got him neutered at 6 months- the humping (of me) was getting ridiculous. He cocked his leg just once before that, but never again after we got him neutered. He's never been interested in marking his territory or anything...until the last 2 weeks... when strangely, the humping has picked up again.

Is that normal??

He's a terrier - anything is normal!

Humping has very little to do with sex. Humping from a dogs point of view has a lot to do with dominance, so the fact you had him altered will not have much effect on the humping.

His leg cocking will have been delayed somewhat by the castration as of course he has no hormones now to stimulate masculine stuff. But it usually happens at some point.

The humping needs to be stopped, I would grab him by his scruff, push him down very strongly and tell him in no uncertain terms that if he ever decided to that to me or to any human being again, that the verbal chastisment he was now going trough would change to a more physical approach. I don't mean a good thrashing, I do not advocate beating dogs, but I would give him a sharp crack if he considered trying it again after my verbal telling off.

I can honestly say I have never ever had one of my dogs try this, but then I am an alpha bitch

Leg lifting is both a learned and an instinctive behaviour. The instinctive bit comes mostly from hormones (so neutering fairly early can help to deter the behaviour), but the learning comes from watching other male dogs. It can start at different ages too. Our boy started lifting his leg at 7 months and wasn`t fixed yet so now even though he is neutered he still lifts his leg and marks.

However one problem we have never had is the humping! You will need to teach him that this is inappropraite behaviour working with commands would be good and redirecting him to a toy or whatever or removing yourself if he is humping you! No need to get physical

You`ve got a handsome furbaby there

P.S. Just realised you asked is it normal not how to deal with it Has he been humped lots by other dogs? Maybe he is learning from them?!

No idea, but I just wanted to say he's a nice looking dog



And I'm glad to discover that I'm not the only one in Canada with legs that white!

Male dogs and even female bitches when they do this is not a sexual thing it just feels good to them. Push him off your leg and give him a very strong NO! he will get the picture eventually, sooner rather than later. Also praise him when he does go down, treats are a good motivator for most animals. It has nothing to do with dominance either. I have trained and worked with dogs for a few years and have seen dogs who were not dominant at all do this behavior

Thanks all.
The humping is definitely not tolerated, and he gets a knee in the chest for his efforts. Just thought it was strange that it (combined with other thing) has started all of a sudden.

I did not say a good slap, and I also said I do not advocate beating dogs. I do however expect my pack to respect me. The last time I used a my hands on one of my dogs was when it was killing one of my chickens, it was in a frenzy and I needed to get it's focus back on me, I used a 2 finger poke in the neck, it worked.

You ask if I would give a child a good slap. Why would you want to go off topic in such a confrontational way? Well, you have so I will reply. Not usually. However, I do believe there is a time and a place for a smack. Note I still do not advocate beating or slapping.

I have brought up many dogs, and have trained many dogs (including Airdales)for many different things. I have very very rarely had to use a physical rebuke on a dog, but if the situation is such that I deem it right, then I will.

I have only brought up one child, however, despite having on occasion had a smack, he has grown up to be well grounded, intelligent and full of confidence. Thank you so much for your interest in my dog/child training methods

It most certainly is to do with dominance, and in wild or feral packs, alpha animals will hump other members of the pack. Most often when young dogs do this within their household, they are trying to learn who is alpha over them. I do agree however that they can learn that it feels good and will continue sometimes for that reason. I also agree with your method of training the dog to stop. However, I still would use a physical rebuke if I had a dog that was being overly assertive or (and occasionally they are in this situation) agressive.

Hardly relevant as no one was talking about children here Butch

If you want to get into discussing the pros and cons of corporal punishment for kids then I suggest you start your own thread, and if you disaprove of using physical persuasion on a dog, then why not just come out and say so and offer some practical alternative

I'm having a hard time imagining a dog responding to "time out" or loss of privileges though.

Also not mentioned in this thread

"crack", "bop", whatever..its semantics. They made it perfectly clear that that was if other means did not work. No need to come over all passive aggressive about it. Besides, I saw that looney dog training guy on the telly do exactly the same thing,and it was very effective.

K Iain, I really dont have the time or inclination

Sigh, I will explain further, just in case anyone else misunderstands. I used the term "crack", to me, this is a short swift rebuke, both verbal and occasionally backed up by a smack.

Along with my son, my dogs are a happy, healthy, confident bunch, whom I adore.

any idea what a bitch humping her bed may be about?? she only does it occasionally but it seems a bit odd to us. she does not do it as often as she did, now 2yrs old, a brown lab. thanks rae.

Our terrier bitch used to do this to a toy gorilla, almost as big as herself. Watching her 'hump the monkey' provided a few laughs, although I must stress it definately wasn't encouraged. I guess it's a phase they go through. She grew out of it after a few months.

yep, this appears to be the case, just wondered how this related to female dogs, is it still a dominance thing??