Pets

Puppy Humping: Normal or Not? Common Overstimulation Issue Explained

The question is, is it normal for my puppy to hump? It's common. Usually that means that a puppy is overstimulated. So they're so excited that they don't know how to express themselves and that's just one of the ways their body lets that emotion out. So I see it a lot in puppies who are playing together and they're having a great time and then they start to get a little, like they're melting down, like toddlers melting down in the grocery store and some humping starts. Or sometimes you'll see it if a puppy's home all day with one person and they feel pretty calm with them and when another person comes home and they're super excited to see that person and they don't know how to process those feelings, they might start to hump. So it happens and the thing we look for then is how can I help my dog feel calmer in that situation so that they don't feel the need because it usually, when they are melting down it means they're not accessing their learning brain so they may not be able to listen to direction or make good choices.

It is normal for puppies to engage in humping behavior as a way to express over-stimulation or excitement. To help them, it's important to look for ways to help your puppy feel calmer in these situations so they don't feel the need to hump.

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Is it normal for my puppy to hump? It's a common behavior in puppies, usually stemming from overstimulation. When puppies are excited and don't know how to express themselves, humping can be one way their body releases that emotion. It often occurs during playtime with other puppies or when they are overwhelmed by the presence of a new person.

Similar to toddlers having meltdowns in the grocery store, puppies may exhibit humping behavior when they start to feel overwhelmed. The key is to help them feel calmer in those situations, as humping usually indicates they are not accessing their learning brain and may struggle to listen or make good choices.

So, while humping is a normal behavior in puppies, it's important to address their emotional state and find ways to help them feel more relaxed and in control.

My dog is a rescue who is mostly good & obedient but at times he is plain disobedient! How do I change this?

Mastering Dog Obedience: From Good to Great!

My dog is a rescue who is mostly good and obedient, but at times he's plain disobedient. How do I change this? Well, I can relate. There's my occasionally disobedient dog who will even wag his tail when you turn the camera toward him and he's not looking. Mostly what that means is that the dog hasn't had enough practice doing the thing you want in the situations where it's kind of fallen apart. So a good example of that is a dog who will go to their mat really nicely when it's just the two of you at home. And then if there's somebody else there, they couldn't find that mat with two hands and a map. So the deal is we have to practice, practice, practice in a variety of different situations and with a variety of different distractions and making it easier when the situation is harder so the dog gets it right. We always want to set our dogs up for success and show them how to do the right thing and reward the right thing until it becomes their go-to option whenever we offer it. Good luck out there. I'm working on it too and things are getting better.

To help your dog become more obedient, you should practice with them in different situations and reward the right behavior until it becomes their go-to option when offered.

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My rescue dog is mostly good and obedient, but sometimes he can be plain disobedient. To change this behavior, it's important to understand that the dog may not have had enough practice in the specific situations where they struggle. For example, they may listen well when it's just the two of you at home, but struggle to follow commands when there are other people around.

The key is to practice, practice, practice in various situations and with different distractions. Start by making it easier for the dog to succeed in challenging situations. Set them up for success by showing them how to do the right thing and rewarding them when they make the correct choices. Consistently reinforcing the desired behavior will help it become their default response.

Remember, it's important to be patient and consistent in your training efforts. With time and practice, you'll likely see improvements in your dog's behavior. Good luck, and know that you're not alone in working on this!

Painful pinch collars: Do they really address behavior issues?

What's your opinion on pinch collars? There's so much to cover, but what it boils down to for me is what usually happens is a dog is afraid of something or over excited about something and when they start to feel that way we cause some pain with a pinch collar and then what that communicates to them is not be quiet really, although sometimes they are because they want the pain to stop. It communicates you're right, you should be worried or you should be very excited when this thing happens, when this dog walks by or this child scoots on a scooter or whatever the thing is. So it doesn't usually do what we think it does in the long term. If it does quiet the dog down in these situations we tend to see other behavioral fallout that isn't super good either so I don't like to use them and I've signed some papers and have some certifications that ask me not to.

I don't like to use pinch collars because they can cause fear and anxiety in dogs, and we may see other behavioral fallout.

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Regarding pinch collars, my opinion is that they are not an effective or humane training tool. When a dog becomes afraid or overly excited, using a pinch collar to cause pain sends the message that their fear or excitement is justified. It doesn't address the underlying issue and can lead to negative behavioral consequences.

While a pinch collar may temporarily quiet a dog in certain situations, it often results in other undesirable behavioral outcomes. Personally, I do not support the use of pinch collars, and I have certifications and agreements that align with this stance.

What is your favorite book or books for new puppy owners and why?

The ultimate guide for new puppy owners: Yolanta Binal's practical tips for happy urban pets

Hey, so the question is, what is your favorite book or books for new puppy owners and why? My favorite one is Yolanta Binal's book. It is the dog trainer's complete guide to a happy, well-behaved pet. And she starts early with how to choose a dog, and she goes all the way on through things that might worry a dog or worry a person or things that might annoy people when their dogs do them. It includes some basic manners, and it is one of the few books I know of that is written from the perspective of an urban setting. So she's from Brooklyn, New York, and that's where I train, so I think she gives some great ideas for how to make training work when you don't have a ton of space.

My favorite book for new puppy owners is Yolanda Been Al's book, "The Dog Trainer's Complete Guide to a Happy Well-Behaved Pet." It covers topics from how to choose a dog to basic manners and is written from an urban perspective.

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My favorite book for new puppy owners is The Dog Trainer's Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet by Yolanta Binal. This book covers everything from choosing a dog to addressing common concerns and annoyances that may arise. It includes guidance on basic manners and what to do in an urban setting, which is unique and valuable. As someone who trains dogs in Brooklyn, New York, I appreciate the practical ideas she offers for training in limited spaces.

Is it better to walk my dog with a leash or without one?

Dog Walking Safety: Leash or No Leash? Expert Weighs In.

Is it better to walk my dog with a leash or without one? Hi, I'm Kiz Robinson. I'm a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. And I was taught that a leash is a safety line, not a steering wheel. So not only is there no harm in walking your dog with a leash, you should be walking them that way if you need to keep them safe. So if they do not have a solid recall, if you're in a place where they might get surprised or spooked and run off, it doesn't mean that you are directing them with it, but it's a link between the two of you in case something goes wrong so that you both stay safe. So there's, depends on the dog if it's better to walk with or without a leash, but there's a place in every dog's life for both.

It is recommended to walk your dog with a leash for safety, but also use it in combination with a solid recall so that you can both stay safe.

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Is it better to walk my dog with a leash or without one? As a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, I believe that a leash is a safety line, not a steering wheel. Walking your dog with a leash is not only harmless but necessary to keep them safe. If your dog doesn't have a reliable recall or if you're in a potentially risky environment where they could get startled and run off, using a leash is essential. It doesn't mean you're controlling or directing them, but it serves as a connection between you and your dog in case something unexpected happens. The leash ensures the safety of both you and your furry friend. Ultimately, whether to walk with or without a leash depends on the dog, but there is a place for both in every dog's life.

My dog doesn’t pull on walks, he stops and has to be encouraged to keep going. How do I fix this?

Fixing Dog Walk Woes: Encouraging Forward Momentum

My dog doesn't pull on walks, he stops and has to be encouraged to keep going. How do I fix this? So there could be a lot of reasons for this and without knowing the reason, I can't really tell you how to train it. But I can tell you some reasons and you can take a look. So sometimes for little dogs, by little I mean young, or dogs who are new to your environment, it's perfectly developmentally appropriate for them to stop. They need to stop, they need a moment to process what's going on, and then they might move forward. For some dogs it's fear or overstimulation. They're like, oof, this is way too much information, I can't take it all in, I'm just going to put on the brakes. For some dogs there's something they don't like. So we have to work on what it is they don't like. So the thing I would have you do without knowing anything about it is stop with them. Offer them some food, bring some hot dogs, offer them a little food. After you wait for a few seconds, are they willing to move forward? And if they aren't, definitely contact a certified trainer so we can figure out what's going on and find a more individual approach.

It is normal for some dogs to stop and take a moment to process the environment. If your dog stops, stop with them and offer them some food. If they still won't move forward, contact a certified trainer to find out what is causing the issue and determine an individual approach.

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My dog doesn't pull on walks, but instead, he frequently stops and needs encouragement to continue. To address this issue, it's important to consider the underlying reasons behind his behavior. While I can't provide specific training advice without knowing the cause, I can offer some potential explanations for you to explore.

In some cases, especially with young or newly introduced dogs, it's developmentally appropriate for them to pause during walks. They may need a moment to process their surroundings before moving forward. Fear or overstimulation can also lead to stopping behavior, as some dogs may feel overwhelmed and need a break. Additionally, there might be something specific in the environment that your dog dislikes, which requires further investigation.

One approach you can try, regardless of the reason, is to stop with your dog and offer them some food as a positive reinforcement. Bringing along some tasty treats like hot dogs can help motivate them to continue walking. After waiting for a few seconds, observe if they are willing to move forward. If the issue persists and your dog doesn't show improvement, it's advisable to seek assistance from a certified trainer. They can help identify the underlying cause and provide a more tailored approach to address the issue.

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Kizz Robinson is a CPDT-KA and CDBC certified lead trainer at PumpkinPups Dog Training, as well as the owner of 2B Dog Training. She works with all kinds of dogs and specializes in small dogs with reactive behavior. Kizz also volunteers with the NYC Department of Corrections for the Rikers Rovers Program. She started her journey with dog training after adopting Eddie, a small terrier mix, in 2010. They learned basic manners, tricks, and agility, and Kizz eventually found her calling as a dog trainer.

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