Why is my nervous older dog humping our new puppy, and how to stop it?

Question

I have an older dog of 11 years that is trying to mount my new 13 week old puppy. The dog is very nervous around the puppy and is not used to being around dogs. At first he wouldn't even interact with the puppy now he just slowly goes up to the puppy, sniffs him, and then tries to humo him. I tell him No and physically remove him but he doesn't stop. How exactly should I train him? He seems too nervous for me to discipline. Pet's info: Dog | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | Male | neutered

Jessica Desrosiers · Accepted Answer

This definitely can be happening because Buddy is feeling uncomfortable. I would continue to have monitored meet and greet sessions, and if someone becomes too nervous or starts to try humping behavior, separate and let both dogs relax. Sometimes, dogs do well with mutual activities such as a walk or running around a backyard as this can help them focus on something else (the walk) instead of focusing entirely on the other dog. This may also help nervous dogs calm down a little by changing their focus. It does take time for dogs to get used to each other, so keeping up with the meet and greets, adding in a mutual activity, and providing places for both dogs to go and relax on their own without the other bothering them is best. I would not discipline the behavior, especially if your dogs are trying to communicate their needs to each other, and instead just calmly separate, allow them to calm down, and then reintroduce.

Why is my nervous older dog humping our new puppy, and how to stop it?

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