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How to Stop Your Puppy from Humping

It's a common problem for puppy owners: your pup has started humping everything from furniture to people. This can be a source of embarrassment and frustration for owners, but there are things you can do to help your puppy stop humping. In this article, we'll cover the causes of humping and how to stop your puppy from humping.

What Causes Puppy Humping?

Humping is a normal behavior for puppies, and it can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is sexual frustration, as puppies reach sexual maturity around six months of age. Other causes can include dominance, excitement, or just plain curiosity.

It's important to understand why your puppy is humping so you can take the right steps to stop it. If it's due to sexual frustration, spaying or neutering your puppy can help. If it's due to dominance or excitement, you'll need to work on obedience training and teaching your puppy how to respond to commands.

How to Stop Your Puppy from Humping

1. Redirect Your Puppy's Attention

When your puppy starts humping, it's important to redirect their attention to something else. This could be a toy, a treat, or a game. Distracting your puppy from humping can help break the habit and teach them to focus on something else.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a useful tool for teaching your puppy not to hump. When your puppy stops humping, reward them with a treat or a toy. This will help reinforce the behavior and teach your puppy that humping is not an appropriate response.

3. Avoid Punishment

It's important not to punish your puppy for humping. This can make the behavior worse, as your puppy may start to associate punishment with humping. Instead, use positive reinforcement and redirect your puppy's attention to something else.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you've tried the above steps and your puppy is still humping, it may be time to seek professional help. A qualified trainer or behaviorist can help you identify the root cause of the behavior and provide advice on how to stop it.

It's important to remember that humping is a normal behavior for puppies. With patience and the right approach, you can help your puppy stop humping and learn appropriate behaviors.

Conclusion

Humping is a normal behavior for puppies, but it can be embarrassing and frustrating for owners. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your puppy stop humping. Redirecting their attention, using positive reinforcement, and avoiding punishment can all help. If these steps don't work, seek professional help from a qualified trainer or behaviorist.


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