Let’s talk about humping.
Humping is surrounded by more silly stereotypes than any behaviour a dog ever demonstrates.
Some believe that small dogs are particularly prone to it. Others think humping is a result of taking away a puppy from its mom too early (those people believe that all behavioral issues are a result of that to be fair). Yet others explain humping as a coping mechanism or a strategy to dominate.
What all have in common is emotions. Whenever people see a humping dog, they immediately feel uncomfortable. Almost like they are seeing someone naked on a non-nudist beach.
The solutions to deal with humping are just as numerous as explanations for its occurrence. But roughly all these solutions fall into two categories: the people who want to get rid of it and those who encourage it.
Neutering is often suggested as a getting-rid-of strategy, and so are drugs. On the other hand, encouragement takes a shape of buying a dog a dedicated plush toy to hump.
All of these strategies and everything in between (redirect and reward, for example) are nonsense and simply don’t work - because they do not even remotely address the root of the behaviour.
Humping is a learned habit. If you remove all the emotional associations with this behaviour and replace the word “humping” with, let’s say “counter-surfing,” you will immediately understand what I mean.
What do you do when your dog counter-surfs? You demonstrate that this is unacceptable. If you do that successfully, a dog stops doing it. Remember my story about cactus and consequences? This is just like that.
Stop coming up with different creative ways to avoid correcting or punishing undesired behaviours. It isn’t humane, it is a torture for your dog. Besides, a person who thinks that neutering a dog for the purpose of changing its behavior is more humane than making this dog accountable, has a very twisted mind and is, quite possibly, delusional.
Instead, react promptly, correct fairly, reward genuinely. This simple, three-ingredient recipe is your formula for fixing any bad habit your dog developed.