How to stop dog humping, hyperactivity, and barking at night?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My dog gets very hyper during evenings and nights. He always drags the blankets from my bed and starts humping it. This happens ever after he has had a walk to tire him out. He is developing aggressive attitudes like barking too much. When I tell him to stop humping the blankets, or rather, train him, he hardly listens. What should I do to reduce the humping and such behavior?

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Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM 174

Veterinarian

Published on July 29th, 2018

Hello, sorry to hear about Cashew. This is indeed something that should be addressed and you need to assert your self as the leader. However, it needs to be done carefully so as not to induce fear related aggression. The humping would likely resolve if you neuter him, and potentially the aggression as well. Here is some further information on this behavior. Hope this helps and best of luck. Introduction Mounting behavior (also referred to as "humping") is a common behavioral problem owners encounter with their dogs. This behavior can manifest in the inappropriate mounting of legs, arms, inanimate objects (plush dolls, pillows, etc.) and other animals. Commonly, mounting is thought of as being sexually driven; however there are other differentiating causes depending on whether the dog mounts a human versus another animal. When a dog mounts a human, the impetus is typically stress, anxiety, or attention-seeking behavior. When a dog mounts another animal, it typically is caused by either arousal, anxiety, or play. Intact males and intact, “in-heat” females often display inappropriate mounting, reaffirming the potential role of sex hormones in this behavior. Furthermore, mounting behavior may be observed for several months following a neutering surgery in both males and females. A lot of puppies will exhibit mounting behavior, and it is simply a way for them to play. Most commonly people say that mounting is due to dominance issues, but in reality this is very rarely the cause. Causes of Inappropriate Mounting Hormonal: • Intact (not spayed or neutered) dogs, including those that are cryptorchid, where one testicle remains in the abdomen and doesn’t descend. • Rare causes include retained ovaries after spaying and tumors Other medical issues: • Urinary tract infection • Urinary incontinence • Skin allergies or anything else causing itchiness (flea infestation, etc) • Rarely can problems be caused my inappropriate mounting, but can include paraphimosis (inability of the penis to retract into the sheath), abrasions, bites to the dog (if the object of the mounting disapproves) or people (if people physically try to stop the mounting). Behavioral: • Response to stress or excitement • Sexual/masturbation • Play behavior • Dominance (rare) • Obsessive or other repetitive behaviors (rare)

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How to stop dog humping, hyperactivity, and barking at night?

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