Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 4/6/2008

Question
Hi there, I have a 2 year old Husky named Wolf, and he has lately developed odd habits. For one, whenever I have guests over, he circles each person he sees, and then begins humping them like crazy. I have tried putting him outside, but he whines and makes too much noise. At the same time, I cannot have him humping my friends, it is embarrassing! How do I get him to stop this? Thanks!

Answer
First, if the dog is not neutered, DO IT.  Even though dogs after 18 months of age who are intact and then neutered retain some testosterone related behavior, neutering the dog will extinguish many of them.

Your dog appears to be redirecting excitement at visitors to a very immature behavior which might be rank related (not to mention the fact that many bitches in season might be within a five mile radius of your home, which is driving some of this).  You need to learn about positive reinforcement training ASAP and give this dog several jobs.  Go to Karen Pryor's web site and learn about clicker training.  Then use your knowledge to teach this dog a simple obedience behavior (sit) but using a different word that only you know (OR a hand signal, so he has to look at you.)  Once you have obtained 100% compliance to your special command for 'sit' (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE), begin using it with a handful of treats (jackpot reward) whenever a visitor enters.  Within a few trials, you can have your VISITORS offer the signal for 'sit' and then use your clicker (then jackpot reward) when the dog complies.  This will teach him a more acceptable form of greeting behavior.  However, until this is achieved (which can take weeks), put this dog on an indoor leash (house tab).  When visitors enter, step on the leash so your dog cannot jump.  Ask ALL VISITORS to totally ignore this dog for the first ten minutes; they can then greet him only when they are seated.

The other alternative (but positive reinforcement training is not negotiable) is to confine the dog until all visitors are inside and seated, and then allow him to greet them briefly; visitors should largely ignore the dog, even after greeting; this will give him the clear signal (in dog speak) that the visitors are NOT THERE for him.

Meanwhile, teach the dog the signal 'off'.  Do this by slapping your chest to encourage him jumping up, then back away quickly and say "OFF", followed by a very small food treat.  Within a few trials, your dog will have learned that "OFF" means 'back away' and is always rewarded.  Use the signal "OFF" if he seems to be too friendly toward a visitor, but don't forget the small food treat.  Dogs will always choose the behavior that is MOST rewarding, and his attentions toward your visitors are highly self rewarding.  You must motivate him to make another choice.