[DuncansDad]

Our pup, 8wk old choc. Lab, has been what we think is starting to hump my wife's leg/foot. Not every time she walks in the room but a couple times a day. I would think he's to young for this type of behavior but not sure. Any suggestions.

Along with that he is a chewing machine. We know this is typical behavior but is there something we can put on the furniture & areas of his interest that won't hurt him?

[Sodium]

This isn't young for your dog my dog did the same thing. Try scolding him when he starts to hump the leg

[badams007]

This kind of humping is practice for being an adult dog - Humping is not merely for reproduction, but is often used as a social communication between dogs to express dominance.

Since I'm not a big fan of the old fashioned scolding, I would recommend "trading up" both for the humping and for the chewing. Make sure you have good toys around that he does not have access to all the time - like a kong with some peanut butter, or a squeaky toy.

Then, when he does the behavior you do not like, you distract him from doing the negative behavior and get him to do something acceptable. This works very very well for teaching a pup not to bite at hands, etc. You would gently but firmly take the muzzle in your hand and calmly and firmly say No Bite and then offer the toy instead.

You can also start to interrupt the behavior before he even gets started with a quick eh-eh-eh and then redirect him to come to you or chase a ball or something else that is a positive behavior.

The less often they are allowed to do a negative behavior, the less likely they are to do it again.

-Beth

[labman]

Listen to Beth.

[DuncansDad]

We have been using those techniques so like all good things it will just take time.

Any sugestions for chewing on furniture? I know to distract & reward but are the spray's harmful? Would the above techniques carry though for all bad behavior?

[badams007]

Yes - those techniques work for most negative behaviors that have not been developed over a long period... and since he's a pup that's not the case.

You may have to "up the ante" and choose a higher value reward... Many people make the mistake of thinking that biscuits are high enough when they're often not. Up it to tiny pieces of hot dog or cheese. You will get a much stronger reaction.

The sprays are safe, but not highly effective. Some dogs like the taste of bitter apple (go figure). You may want to add it an as additional layer of intervention though.

-Beth

[badams007]

OH - and don't be stingy with treats. The giving of treats should eventually be tapered, but it's vital to get a strong reward reaction established first.

If it's something that is hard to distract him from, you may find it most effectove to "have a party" and give tiny bits - one right after the other - for 30 seconds. That is how I teach a strong recall.

-Beth

[DuncansDad]

Thank you

[labman]

I am not sure what spray you are talking about, but many people have good luck with Bitter Apple. It can be very useful with strong willed dogs that go back to something like the table leg time after time. It tastes terrible and is enough to make many dogs leave anything with it on it alone. You just can't spend all your time distracting the dog from its chewing.

[DuncansDad]

I will see how the party & more consistent rewards works out but I will keep the spray in mind. Thanks again, both of you