How do I stop my male dog from trying to mate?

Training your dog not to hump usually involves distracting them, and if it’s hormone driven, neutering may help. Never punish your dog for humping – it’s a normal and natural behaviour for them, so they won’t understand why you’re telling them off. Socialise from a young age – socialising your dog with others from a young age will help teach them how to play and interact appropriately. Neutering – neutering your dog can help if their humping is hormone related – this usually has more of an effect on males than females. Exercise – ensure your dog gets enough exercise to get rid of any excess energy. Distraction – if your dog humps to get you, or other dogs to play, it’s important to teach them that the fun stops when they start to hump. When they start to mount, distract them with a treat, ask them to sit, and give them the treat. You will need to repeat this every time it happens. If your dog continues to hump, you may need to remove them from the situation for a minute or two, to calm them down. You will need to be patient – it often takes time and a lot of repetition to stop the behaviour completely.

The first and foremost preventive measure is to have your dog spayed or neutered. This is a simple procedure your veterinarian can perform in their office. If you choose not to spay your female dog, you should keep her away from other dogs you may find at pet stores or dog parks. Keep a close eye on your female dog. Even if she is within the confines of your fenced-in yard, a dog in heat will attract male dogs from far away. A male dog who has yet to be neutered may also need to be kept away from other male dogs as they may be aggressive. But, certainly, keeping your male dog from a female dog who is not spayed will prevent mating. There are several products that you can purchase to keep male dogs away from a female dog in heat. Chlorophyll, which is found in plants, masks the smell of heat, which will deter male dogs from searching for a female dog in heat. There are also sprays you can purchase at local pet food stores to deter dogs from mating with one another. Some people put their dogs in dog diapers or britches to keep the two from coming together in mating positions. Once your female dog is spayed or your male dog is neutered, unwanted pregnancies will be prevented and their hormone levels will decrease, giving them less interest in the act of mating.