Re: Humping anything that moves !

In Reply to: Humping anything that moves !
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Michael
Posted on:  June 28, 2002 at 19:32:27

: Hi there

: My young fellow Monty is 8 1/2 months old now and has been an absolute joy. However, in the last month his humping has got progressivly worse. I work at home, so I'm with him all day and he hasn't tried it on with me since he was about four months old. But every evening when my partner comes home he's at her for an hour and won't leave her alone.

: He gets a warning and stern telling off, and the next time he gets a time out in the kitchen, which has a child gate to stop him getting out.
: He never tries with her it when I'm in the room.

: This is a problem, but not as bad as when he's out. I take him out for at least an hour every day, usually more, and I've always had him off the lead in the park for a good run since he was a puppy, there are two entrances and he never tries to go out, it is quite a large area with trees bushes long grass etc.

: His recall is or was V good, but just lately he takes off at the first sign of another dog and absolutely refuses to listen to my commands to bring him back, it's like he has tunnelled vision and doesn't hear me. Not only that, but now he tries to hump every single dog he meets, no matter what the size, dog or bitch.

: He's not aggressive at all towards them, and he loves people, he just tries to hump everything.

: Today was the biggest problem yet, he met this bitch, had a run around with her, then tried to hump her, which she didn't like one bit and gave him several sharp warnings to lay off, but he kept on going back at her - I soon got his lead on and we left for the other end of the park. 15 mins later I let him off again after the other owner was long gone, and he took off right away and ran the whole lenght of the park and out onto the street and up the road in the direction they went in.

: As you can Imagine I was in dispair, fortunately someone i knew got hold of him before he got into any trouble..
: He's a good dog and has won a couple of Champion pup prizes in shows and I don't really want to have him snipped. I also hunt rabbitt with him ay least once a week which he has taken to like a duck to water.

: Any hints on this, his running off is starting to worrry me somewhat, especially after today.

: Thanks for the superb site, you've got me out of a few holes before now through this excellent forum - keep up the good work.

: Michael & Monty the Humper

: Members of the JRTCGB

Response:

Hi Michael,

I think the problem lies in that Monty is 8 1/2 months old, and the testosterone is really starting to kick in - that's very normal behavior. I can understand your hesitation about getting him snipped if he is a nice example of the breed. Neutering, however, will not affect his hunting ability at all. I know many neutered (and spayed) terriers who are huntin fools!

Re humping your girlfriend: there are several dynamics going on here. 1) Monty sees you as alpha but not your girlfriend, therefore YOU have to be the one to do the disciplining to begin with...and then once you get Monty's attention it's time for your girlfriend to follow suit.
2) From the sounds of it, "NO" isn't getting through to Monty. There are several methods I'd suggest: a stern "NO" and isolation in a crate for half an hour or so...better yet, a stern "NO", getting up & walking away from him, ignoring him altogether. And by ignoring him I mean no eye contact, no talking to him, no talking about him, no nothing. Behave as if he's not even there. And don't break down after a minute or two...keep it up for 20-30 minutes. It's been my experience that nothing gets a Jack Russell's attention better than ignoring it. They WILL adjust their behavior if they don't get the attention.

Likewise, at the dog park, when he begins humping, corral him, tell him NO, and take him home immediately...ignoring him all the way. Hope this helps!