Intense humping!!!

[Shannanigan]

Strange…Paco went through that phase when he was still a pup. We would just push him away and tell him "leave it," each time, and he eventually got the picture. I'm not sure if Ayo suddenly doing this now is significant or not in any way, though.

[sharronhurlbut]

Is your basenji intact?

[dmey]

Yes he is. I show him so , although i doubt i will ever breed he is intact.. yeah and he is almost a year and a half now…

[Patty]

It's a nuisance when they behave like this. Is there an in season bitch around?

I would definitely discourage Ayo from humping you - it can be embarrasing especially if you show him. I would tell him to 'leave' as Shannanigan suggests and possibly spray him with water as well to enforce. I know he has plenty of walks etc. so that's not the answer.

[Buddys Pal]

There are a few reasons why he may be doing this. Some dogs do it to release pent up frustration and/or energy. Make a change in his exercise to increase it to tire him out-practice his show ring ritual, play with another dog for the wrestling will tire him, a bike run, be creative. Also, mentally stimulate him with seek and find game for toys or treats- many puzzles on the market. He needs to be challenged. Which brings the other possible reason, he may be trying to establish a higher rank in the household. You and the other humans need to be the leaders. No bed time cuddle time on his terms,he has to 'ask' by sitting and then you allow him up there as a reward. He has to 'work' for food/affection and anything by sitting, waiting, stay-sit, whatever. By allowing him to do anything he wants when he wants; he may be feeling the need to push the envelope and seek higher status. To put it one way Put Him In His Place. He will be thankful for you telling him what to do and the frustration may diminish. All in time. I know he is cute, but ignore him when you get home, he has to come to you for the greeting, and little things like this will put you back on top of the totem poll and when you say No or Leave It, he may be more inclined to listen and stop the humping. All this said, is there a bitch in heat within 10 miles??? It could trigger this-as you know!!!!

[CanisBasenjius]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about the whole dominance thing. There is no evidence that shows humping has anything to do with social rank, nor will NILIF (which is a good lifestyle for any dog) directly address the problem behavior.

Chances are, he's humping because A) he's excited it feels good (either physically or it's just FUN) and C) because he can.

Zepar used to sometimes try to hump my leg during breeding season. Just interrupt it (clap your hands or say, "Uh-uh-uh!") and then redirect him into an acceptable behavior. Then praise, praise, praise. So you have to decide, what's a good alternative to humping? For Zep, because I knew it was sexually related (only during 'that time' and because he was intact) I bought him a great big doll and encouraged him to hump -it- instead. We'd get his hedgie doll and I'd get him totally ramped up. When he humped it I'd let him know how AWESOME he is. Tug of war (with rules) might be another good alternative behavior. Whatever you choose, I'd make it something active and engaging.

I also would not push him away if you can avoid it - this can be seen as a play invitation. Chances are, you'll recognize "that look" so redirect him before he starts humping you. That way you both win!

[Kipawa]

@CanisBasenjius:

I bought him a great big doll and encouraged him to hump -it- instead

Interesting… my sis had a chow that had his own 'S-bear', meaning sex bear.

What I have figured out with Kipawa is that he is humping dogs at parks he feels comfortable/dominant in. Also in these parks, he seems to keep an eye out for new dogs arriving. He will be the first dog to say hello to the new dogs.

When we go to a new park with unfamiliar surroundings and dogs he has never met, he never humps. So, because we have quite a few dog parks here, many of them off leash, we try to visit different parks as often as we can.

[dmey]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.. I noticed that I had, without notiving, stopped doing a lot of thelittle things that keep him "in his place", the sit commands before eating etc.. i think tht may have a lot do with why he was doing that. There are often bitches in heat around , many stray dogs around the neighborhood and also pets in the same building. BUt he had never done that before. Anyway, he seems to have calmed down ever since.. so either it was a sexual thing and is no longer "in the air" or the domincance thing put him back in his place. …

[DebraDownSouth]

LOL, I always remember a gal posting her dog humped his "stuffie" (toy). She said, I know it's domination, but how much domination does a stuffed toy need?

We were rolling. She did understand it isn't JUST domination, but the comment was pretty funny.

[Kipawa]

@DebraDownSouth:

LOL, I always remember a gal posting her dog humped his "stuffie" (toy). She said, I know it's domination, but how much domination does a stuffed toy need?

We were rolling. She did understand it isn't JUST domination, but the comment was pretty funny.

Hahaha… love that! Sometimes the way we word things on here borders on insanity!