Dealing with a sexually aroused dog is no fun for any dog owner.
It’s like trying to calm down a super energetic friend who can’t sit still.
But don’t worry; we’ll teach you several ways to help your furry buddy relax, from burning off that excess energy through exercise to using positive reinforcement!
Let’s examine these methods and see how you can help your dog return to their happy, lovable self!
When Do Male Dogs Reach Sexual Maturity?
Male dogs generally become sexually mature later than females, often around 6 to 12 months of age.
When male dogs reach maturity, they show more interest in females, especially during their heat cycle.
They will start marking their territory more and try to mount anything from other dogs to objects or people’s legs—an embarrassing yet expected behavior pattern.
When Do Female Dogs Reach Sexual Maturity?
For female dogs, reaching sexual maturity means experiencing their first heat—or estrus— cycle.
It usually occurs around 6 months of age, although it varies based on the dog’s breed.
Smaller breeds reach maturity a little earlier, while larger breeds take longer—sometimes up to 2 years.
Female dogs’ behavior during the heat cycle ranges from affectionate to grumpy.
6 Signs of a Sexually Frustrated Dog
One sign of a sexually frustrated dog you’ve surely witnessed is excessive mounting.
Nothing is safe from your dog’s incessant mounting: other dogs, random objects, and even people’s legs!
Next, your dog will turn into an escape artist.
They’ll search for a way out of the house/yard, especially if there’s a female in heat nearby. This instinctual drive will make them more determined to explore beyond their comfort boundaries.
Third, we have territory marking.
Your dog will suddenly urinate more frequently around the house or yard, despite their potty training, to make their presence known to potential mates.
On top of this, you will notice a change in their overall mood.
A sweet, mellow furry buddy could become more irritable or agitated.
They will also be prone to loud barking and getting into scraps with other dogs.
Sexually frustrated dogs also pay more attention to their own private areas.
They might lick or chew at themselves more than usual, causing lesion sores if it gets out of hand.
Finally, their sleep patterns will get out of whack.
Your dog may become restless, pace around the house, or whine at odd hours to try and cope with all this internal turmoil!
Why Do Female Dogs Hump, Too?
Although often associated with male dogs, humping also occurs in females—and it’s not necessarily bad behavior.
First, humping is part of how dogs play.
They get all excited and full of energy, and humping is one way they express that excitement.
In the dog world, humping is also a way of showing dominance.
A female dog humping another canine could be her way of saying, “I’m in charge here.”
Stress and nervousness may also lead to humping.
Just like we deal with anxiety through nail biting or foot tapping, so do some females resort to humping for the same purpose.
Let’s not forget about medical issues.
Sometimes, humping can be a sign that something’s not quite right health-wise. It could be a response to a urinary tract infection, skin allergy, or other medical condition causing discomfort or itchiness. In these cases, the humping is more about trying to soothe that discomfort.
Lastly, humping may be a learned behavior.
If a female dog’s humping gets a reaction from her parents, she’ll associate the behavior with their attention.
9 Ways to Calm Your Sexually Aroused Dog
Spay/Neuter Your Pup
When we talk about calming down a dog that is getting a bit too frisky, the first solution that comes to mind is spaying or neutering.
Of course, these procedures do not act as magic buttons that instantly turn dogs into calm, never-want-to-mate creatures. But they certainly tone down their mating instincts.
They also help prevent unwanted puppies, which is essential in a world where so many love-deserving pups await adoption.
Furthermore, spaying and neutering help with your dog’s overall behavior.
Dogs who are less preoccupied with mating respond better to training and are less aggressive!
Use Noise as a Distraction
When you’ve got an overly excited dog on your hands, using noise as a distraction is a clever way to break their concentration on whatever’s got them all revved up.
The trick is to use a noise that’s interesting enough to get their attention but not so startling that it scares them—like music, TV, or a squeaky toy. It’s like a doggy reset button.
You give the toy a good squeak, and suddenly, your dog thinks, “Wait, what’s that?” Their mind shifts gears, and in an instant, they forget all about their earlier mission!
Separate Them from Other Dogs
Sexually aroused dogs—who have lots of pent-up energy—are best separated from other dogs.
When dogs are sexually aroused, they constantly try to mount or get into fights with other dogs. It’s like their brains are stuck in mating mode, unable to think about anything else!
Separation is about removing your pup from the immediate situation to a peaceful environment where they may chill out. This doesn’t mean you must send them off to a room alone for hours. Going for a walk or hanging out in a different part of your home may be enough!
Burn Off Excess Energy
Dogs get all jittery and restless when they have extra energy they don’t know how to channel.
This is especially true for dogs that are feeling too frisky. They might be pacing around, barking more than usual, or just unable to sit still. That’s where intense, energy-burning activities make all the difference!
Exercise is a fantastic way to help burn off this excess energy.
We’re talking about any intense activities that get your dog’s heart pumping and their legs moving, such as:
- A long run
- A vigorous game of fetch in the park
- An intense tug-of-war session in the backyard
The idea is to get them to the point where they’re physically tired, and all they want to do is flop down and nap.
Another great way to reduce excess energy is through mental stimulation.
Try puzzle toys, which give both the mind and the body a healthy workout.
Training sessions are another exciting way of keeping your dog’s mind stimulated. Working on commands and tricks requires a lot of concentration and focus—a tiring endeavor for a dog.
Don’t refrain from combining physical and mental exercise.
Agility training requires dogs to run, jump, and navigate obstacles while simultaneously having to listen to your commands and figure out the course—a challenge for both the body and the mind!
Lavish Your Dog with Attention
A sexually aroused dog’s behavior may be over the top.
They might be more clingy or pace around incessantly, unable to settle.
By giving them attention, you’re not just trying to distract them; you’re also helping them feel secure and loved, which will go a long way in calming them down.
It’s all about positive, constructive interactions that take their mind off their urges, such as:
- Playing fetch
- Training sessions
- Cuddle time
Remember to stay calm yourself.
Dogs are astute at picking up on our emotions. If you’re anxious or frustrated with your dog’s excitement, they might become even more unsettled!
Simply Ignore the Behavior
When your dog is showing signs of being sexually aroused, sometimes the best thing you can do is, well, nothing.
Ignoring the behavior may be an effective way to calm your pup down.
It’s like when a toddler throws a tantrum because they want attention. If you don’t give in to the tantrum, they eventually stop.
In the same way, by not reacting to your dog’s over-excited behavior, you’re teaching them that calm behavior, not over-the-top mischief, gets your attention.
Remove Any Female Dog Scent
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell—strong enough to pick up the scent of a female dog in heat and kick their instincts into high gear.
If you know a female dog in heat has been around your yard or house, give the place a good clean. This means washing your dog’s bedding, favorite blankets, or cushions with scent-blocking solutions and even giving your floors a mop.
Using a cleaner with a strong fragrance will mask any remaining traces of the female dog’s scent.
You should also air out your home.
Opening windows and letting fresh air in will disperse any lingering scent.
Reward Your Dog’s Positive Behavior
Rewarding your dog’s positive behavior is a fantastic way to help calm them down when they’re sexually aroused.
This method, known as positive reinforcement, teaches your dog how to acknowledge when they’re doing something right rather than focusing on the wrong.
Say your dog gets overly excited because they’ve sensed a nearby female in heat. If there’s a moment where they settle down, even just for a bit, that’s your chance to reward them—a treat, their favorite toy, or some good old-fashioned belly rubs and praise.
Over time, your dog will connect the calm behavior with the reward: “Hey, when I chill out, good things happen!”
Seek the Help of a Professional Dog Trainer
When you’ve tried all the tricks in the book to calm down a sexually aroused dog to no avail, it’s time to consider professional help.
Dog training experts can observe your dog’s behavior and advise you on managing it.
They have a bunch of techniques up their sleeves, from basic obedience training to specific exercises that can help distract and calm your dog.
Our K9 Basics dog trainers have seen it all in their countless years of canine rehabilitation. So, don’t hesitate to entrust your dog’s over-the-top excitement into their hands—in no time, they’ll turn this headache into positive, socially acceptable behavior!
Call us at (866) 592-2742 or, if you live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our obedience training classes.
References
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- “15 Easy Tips to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog (How-to Guide).” DogsAndClogs, DogsAndClogs, 27 July 2021, dogsandclogs.com/how-to-calm-a-sexually-excited-dog. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.
- “How to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog.” Acme Canine, 26 Jan. 2023, acmecanine.com/sexually-excited-dog/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.
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- “How to Calm a Sexually Excited Dog (11 Vet Approved Methods).” Pet Keen, 24 Mar. 2023, petkeen.com/how-to-calm-a-sexually-excited-dog/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.
- “How to Calm an Aggressive Dog – Growl Snarl Snap,” www.growlsnarlsnap.com/how-to-calm-an-aggressive-dog/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.
- “Mounting and Masturbation.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/mounting-and-masturbation. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.
- “Relief for a Sexually Frustrated Dog: 3 Solutions.” PawLeaks, 28 Nov. 2022, pawleaks.com/relief-frustrated-dog/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.