Whether motivated by dominance, hormonal surplus or simply excess energy, a dog's mounting behavior can be dangerous for the dogs involved and, needless to say, is embarrassing for his owner. Stopping your dog from mounting other dogs will keep you both out of the dog house.
Pay attention to your furry friend’s body language while he is playing with other dogs. Notice any changes in behavior that he may display just before he mounts another dog that indicate when he is about to assume the mounting position. Recognizing the signs will give you a better chance of stopping the behavior before your pooch has even had a chance to fully engage in it.
Divert your dog’s attention. Either immediately before or immediately after your furry friend has mounted another dog, clap your hands loudly, say “no” in a firm tone of voice, or make some other audible disturbance that will interrupt your dog by diverting his attention away from the unwanted behavior and toward you.
Redirect your dog by commanding him to perform an acceptable behavior. Each time your pooch engages in an unwanted behavior like mounting, correct him on the spot by firmly issuing a command for an alternative behavior like “sit.” Asking your dog to sit is an effective alternate behavior because he can’t sit and mount at the same time.
Send your pooch to time-out. If diversion and redirection don’t work, put your naughty dog in time-out immediately following any mounting behavior. As soon as he mounts, say “no” in a firm tone of voice and immediately lead him to a crate or some other confined space where he will have to spend some time alone. As he begins to recognize that you disapprove of mounting behavior and it results in loss of playtime, he will be less likely to engage in it.
Tips
Dogs that get plenty of exercise are less likely to engage in mounting behavior, so make sure your pooch gets a daily dose of physical activity during which he can burn off some energy.
Since some mounting behavior is driven by hormones, neutering your dog can help to curb his mounting behavior.
Obsessive mounting behavior is sometimes indicative of a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. If your pooch mounts other dogs repeatedly in a compulsive manner, take him to the vet for a thorough health screening to rule out potential medical causes.
Tips
Dogs that get plenty of exercise are less likely to engage in mounting behavior, so make sure your pooch gets a daily dose of physical activity during which he can burn off some energy.
Since some mounting behavior is driven by hormones, neutering your dog can help to curb his mounting behavior.
Obsessive mounting behavior is sometimes indicative of a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. If your pooch mounts other dogs repeatedly in a compulsive manner, take him to the vet for a thorough health screening to rule out potential medical causes.
References
Resources
Tips
- Dogs that get plenty of exercise are less likely to engage in mounting behavior, so make sure your pooch gets a daily dose of physical activity during which he can burn off some energy.
- Since some mounting behavior is driven by hormones, neutering your dog can help to curb his mounting behavior.
- Obsessive mounting behavior is sometimes indicative of a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. If your pooch mounts other dogs repeatedly in a compulsive manner, take him to the vet for a thorough health screening to rule out potential medical causes.
Writer Bio
Kristina Barroso is a full-time teacher who has been freelance writing since 1991. She published her first book, a break-up survival guide, in 2007 and specializes in a variety of topics including, but not limited to, relationships and issues in education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University.