I have a small male dog who we guess is about 2 years old (he was a stray). He's never had a problem with humping people or things but just recently he has started chasing after my little 4 year old niece and tried to hump her. I feel really bad b/c she gets really upset when he does this and he only does it to her, probably b/c she's small. Does anyone have any advice to help get him to stop doing this?

Have you tried a spray bottle? (On the dog, not the niece)

If he isn't altered, I strongly suggest having it done, for all the usual reasons. I'm told that it will help with this behavior too.

no, how does that work? Spray him with water whenever he tries it?

I was assuming he is "fixed"? As far as the water bottle, yes, spray him and reinforce with a stern "NO!" when he does it.

He's doing it out of dominance. Dogs often see small kids as equals, not as being above them. One of my dogs used to do this to my niece, but not her brother who was the same age, because of the difference in the way they acted around the dogs. My nephew was much more sure of himself.

Don't allow him to keep it up. Pull him off if you have to. Have your niece feed the dog his food or dog treats and make him sit or perform some other obedience cue before he gets his food/treat. (Have your niece give him the command, not you.)

I also taught my niece to firmly say no, push (not hit) the dog down and then turn away and ignore her for a while. But don't do that unless you're 110% sure the dog won't nip at her if she pushes him off. And do get him neutered if he's not. That greatly reduces the behavior, though it doesn't always stop it completely. (My offending dog was female and was spayed.)

Doogie used to hump my other dog, he stopped once he'd had the snip :)

He is not fixed. I might consider doing this, but only as a last resort. I will definitely give some of the tips you all provided a try and hopefully one of them will solve it. Thank for all the suggestions.

Why as a last resort?

I would suggest getting him fixed, last resort or not.

I would suggest getting him fixed, last resort or not.
Agreed. There are way too many homeless/unwanted dogs and cats out there to let more be bred.

Some years back I got my dog neutered and when we went and picked him up at the clinic it just broke my heart to see him like that. His eyes were bloodshot and he was in a very lethargic state and he gave me the saddest look, and I felt so bad that we had done that to him.:(

This dog is always inside except when I take him out on the lead or in the fenced back yard while I watch him, so I don't think I have to worry about him impregnating any dog.

Some years back I got my dog neutered and when we went and picked him up at the clinic it just broke my heart to see him like that. His eyes were bloodshot and he was in a very lethargic state and he gave me the saddest look, and I felt so bad that we had done that to him.:(

This dog is always inside except when I take him out on the lead or in the fenced back yard while I watch him, so I don't think I have to worry about him impregnating any dog.


The way that dog acted was normal. You didn't need to feel bad about it. You did a good thing for him. He was just groggy from surgery and anesthesia and pain meds.

Also, you may not have to worry about your dog impregnating another but there is problem behavior that is occuring with him that could be easily taken care of with a little surgery. Also, if your dog happens to get out one day, there is the chance that he could impregnant another dog.

Just something to consider. What if a female in heat happened to wander by when your dog was in the backyard? Raging hormones and instincts can take precedence over minding the owner, even for the most well-behaved animals. And it can only take a few seconds for a female to get pregnant.

And when it comes right down to it, I think a boxful of unwanted puppies at the shelter are sadder looking than a dog rousing out of painkillers for routine surgery.

Just something to think about. You might also want to see what you make of this site... www.spayusa.org.

If you truly loved your dog, you would neuter him. End of discussion.
By not doing so, you're putting him at risk, to say the least.

There was a reason he was a "stray" and by not fixing him you're contributing to the overpopulation problem.

Extra puppies aside you're putting your dog at greater risk for many health problems and making it more likely that he'll become aggressive. I would rather my dog be neutered than have an enlarged prostate, anal tumors, etc.

ETA: I talked to my boyfriend about this, and he confirmed that as a guy he would rather be neutered than have anal tumors. Something to think about. :up:

If you arent planning on breeding him (which I am guessing you are not) then get the guy fixed. He cant really help what he is doing.

What kind of shelter adopts out a dog that isnt fixed anyway??? Unless he was too young at the time of adoption I suppose. Didnt you have to sign an agreement to have him fixed? If you did and you wont get him fixed, find him a loving home that will do whats right.

I'm guessing by stray , she means she picked him off the streets or something? Not from a shelter. I'd be even *MORE* appauled if she says she got him from a rescue/shelter. ugh.
If you're not willing to fix an animal and take their best interest to heart, then you shouldnt have one. JMO.

If the behavior is due to him not being fixed (which sounds likely), it's much more cruel to have to discipline him away from this behavior (with a spray bottle and such) which is coming so naturally to him, than to just have the surgery. It seems much better for the dog to not have the desire to behave in a certain way, than to have a lifelong behavior that causes those around him to react with irritation and fear.

If the behavior is due to him not being fixed (which sounds likely), it's much more cruel to have to discipline him away from this behavior (with a spray bottle and such) which is coming so naturally to him, than to just have the surgery. It seems much better for the dog to not have the desire to behave in a certain way, than to have a lifelong behavior that causes those around him to react with irritation and fear.

That was the best post yet!!:up:

I can't believe that I read the title of this as 'need advice about humping my dog' :o I thought it was going to be one of those "now I've got your attention...." type of questions.


posted by peace:
And when it comes right down to it, I think a boxful of unwanted puppies at the shelter are sadder looking than a dog rousing out of painkillers for routine surgery.

for sure :)