How to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog

Co-authored by Jaimie Scott and Caroline Heiderscheit

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Fact Checked

When your dog's sexual urges kick in around other people, it can be totally frustrating. You may be wondering how you can get your dog to kick the habit for good—so you never have to face another embarrassing public encounter. Well, you're in luck! There are actually so many easy, effective tips proven to finally get your dog to stop humping and mounting in public. For a complete guide covering all of the very best strategies to calm your sexually excited dog, read on.

1

Discourage them with loud noise.

Download Article

Make sure your dog knows humping and mounting are bad behaviors. Discourage your dog in the same way you would with other bad behaviors. Use a loud clap or give a simple, stern, “No!”—whatever your dog has learned to associate with unacceptable behavior.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- For this method to work well, you should have already established trust and dominance through dog training.
- This issue can be super frustrating. Still, you should never hit or get aggressive to discourage humping or mounting in your dog.
- In some cases, humping and mounting can be about dominance. In this case, gently pushing your dog off of you and turning away from them is a good option.^{[2]
  X
  Research source
  How to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog}

2

Refocus their attention with toys or a game.

Download Article

Humping and mounting are often instinctual—so interrupt their behavior. Typically, your dog will be happy to move on to a new distraction. In this case, the more positive and engaging the activity, the better. When you see your dog is about to hump, take them outside for a game. Or, pull out that toy that your dog can’t resist.^{[3]
X
Research source
How to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog}
- Try fetch, chasing, tug-of-war, or a nice walk.
- If you offer your dog a toy, go for an interactive, stimulating choice. Treat dispensing toys, ball launchers, or puzzle toys are perfect.
- This is a great way to give your dog another outlet for their extra energy.

3

Ask them to perform a command.

Download Article

To quickly redirect your dog and interrupt their instinct to hump, ask them to sit, stay, lie down, or roll over. Not only will this disrupt their behavior in the moment, but over time, it will train them not to follow their instincts to hump and mount. When they perform their command well, follow up with a treat or reward.^{[5]
X
Research source
How to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog}

4

Ignore them or stay silent.

Download Article

Withhold your attention so you don't positively reinforce the behavior. Sometimes, dogs may register any interaction with you to be a positive outcome to their behavior. So to discourage them, don't engage. If you see your dog begin humping, try to leave the room silently. If you can, avoid eye contact with your dog and don't pet them on your way out.
- Subtly send the message that this behavior doesn’t earn your attention, and over time, your dog could learn to stop.
- Plus, if your dog follows you from the room, you’ll have interrupted their behavior in the moment.

5

Give your dog a time out.

Download Article

Leave your dog alone and unstimulated to discourage their behavior. When your dog starts humping or mounting, deliver a short command that you'll associate with time outs, like, “Done,” “Enough,” or “Alone Time.” Then, gently bring them to a space without toys or distractions to be by themself. Leave your dog alone for no more than 1-2 minutes.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Make sure when you release your dog, they’re not engaging in bad behavior, like whining. This may positively reinforce the behavior.
- Be consistent when you do time-outs. Spot the behavior, deliver the command, leave the dog without distractions, and release them after just a few minutes.
- This will interrupt their behavior in the moment, and over time, it will teach your dog that you don’t approve of humping or mounting.
- It also gives your dog a chance to calm down on their own.

6

Treat them when they stop humping.

Download Article

When you reward your dog, you teach them that you like their behavior. Give them a treat when they're calm and relaxed to say, “This is great behavior!” Over time, this will teach your pup that relaxed behavior pleases you—and that’s something your dog wants as much as you do!^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If your dog is lying down, breathing evenly or deeply, and has a relaxed expression—offer them a quick treat.

7

Keep them engaged in daily exercise.

Download Article

Burning energy lowers stress and sexual urges in dogs. All in all, the more exercise your dog gets, the less irritability, tension, and yes, humping you’ll see in your dog’s behavior. Take them out for a nice, long daily walk. Incorporate tons of games in their daily schedule and if you can, try to make sure your activities aren’t just physically stimulating, but mentally stimulating too.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
- Choose physically draining exercises, like fetch, swimming, runs, and wrestling.
- Engage them in mentally taxing exercise, too. Hide and seek, learning new tricks, and searching for treats will be extra engaging to them.
- It's hard to expect your dog to calm down if they have too much pent-up energy.
Patricia McConnell, Animal Behaviorist and Bestselling Author

When a dog grows overly excited, their behavior is often misconstrued as stubbornness or spite. In truth, strong instincts—from scents triggering frenzy to physical needs—drive much conduct. Understanding their perspective allows an empathetic response. Try redirecting focus positively or meeting needs for activity and stimulation. With care aligned to compassion, peaceful coexistence follows.

8

Enroll them in boot camp.

Download Article

Enroll your dog in a training camp or doggie boot camp. Search for training camps in your area or reach out to other dog owners for a recommendation. When you sign your dog up, remember to ask the instructor for specialized advice, too.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}

9

Speak to your vet about the issue.

Download Article

Humping and mounting could be caused by an underlying issue. Hormone imbalances, for instance, can increase this behavior. If your dog doesn't respond to training and reward techniques, get them checked by a vet. This way, you can get to the bottom of what's causing the behavior. Plus, if there's a serious issue, you'll know sooner rather than later.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
- Humping can be a sexual behavior or play behavior, and both of these causes are totally normal.
- Humping can be common when dogs are stressed, tense, excited, or overwhelmed. If they face anxiety, humping could become a compulsive, daily habit.
- Humping can also be a way to assert dominance. This could be a show of power and status over other dogs or people.
- Finally, humping can also be caused by sickness. UTIs or skin allergies, for example, can bring about humping behaviors.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}

10

Separate your dog from people they could hurt.

Download Article

Humping and mounting can be dangerous to kids and elderly people. While you’re getting the issue under control, take steps to avoid unsafe situations involving guests. It’s tough enough to train these urges out of your dog, so you don’t want to have to deal with the stress of an injured friend or family member on top of that.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Keep your dog in a separate room or floor with food, water, and engaging toys. If the weather is nice, let them play outside until your guest leaves.

11

Spay or neuter your dog.

Download Article

Spaying and neutering can help reduce dogs' sexual drive and urges. Though there's no certain age when dogs can safely be neutered or spayed (because each breed, gender, and specific dog is different), know that taking action too early could negatively effect your dog's health.^{[12]
X
Research source}If you’ve tried other methods with no luck, talk through the decision and its health implications with your vet.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
- Spaying isn’t a good option if you’re interested in breeding your dog down the line.
- Remember, spaying and neutering won’t always help with this behavior. If humping and mounting have become a habit due to positive reinforcement, for instance, this may not change anything.

12

Separate female and male dogs.

Download Article

Your dog's humping may be a reaction to a female in heat. When a female dog is in heat, she releases hormones that tell other dogs she's ready to breed. This can really affect male dogs, causing an uptick in sexual behaviors and even aggression. If this is your situation, separate your dogs while your female is in heat. Find a loving, temporary home for one of your dogs.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Ask a friend, family member, or a professional dog sitter for help.
- A female dog is usually in heat for 2-4 weeks, so plan accordingly.

13

Clean your home if your dog is in heat.

Download Article

Your female dog’s scent will be all over the house, especially in her kennel, on her toys, and on her favorite blankets. So if you choose to keep your male and female dogs in the same home while she's in heat, limit the effect her smell will have on him by removing her scent from your home as often as possible.^{[15]
X
Research source}

14

Give your female dog chlorophyll tablets.

Download Article

This in turn will reduce your male dog's sexual excitement. Find liquid chlorophyll or chlorophyll tablets at drug stores. Make sure to ask your vet for the dosage they think is best. Know that in addition to limiting her hormone's effects, she may be getting tons of other benefits: like healthier gums and even better breath.^{[16]
X
Research source}