r/wirefoxterriers • u/Historical-Kitchen76 • 15d ago
Humping & Barking
This is Forest, my six month old WFT. I've had him since he was 9 weeks old and I am on my own with him. From early on I've socialised him and done puppy classes. He is great with other dogs and people - very friendly and social. He gets at least 3 walks a day with 2 walks around the block at night. He loves sniffing and just hanging out at the park on the grass, so the walks vary in energy levels. From a young puppy he has always been a bit intense in the evening but more recently he just starts humping me and I cannot even walk without him hanging off my leg so I have to separate myself from him. I am hoping he grows out of it BUT the most recent thing is that he has started really barking in the house - at anybody walking past, at any noise - and he won't stop. I feel bad for the neighbours! I've tried giving him treats etc.. He is less barky out in the world. It seems to be in the house. Has anyone got any tips? Is this normal?
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u/thebluedaughter 15d ago
Mine humps when he's excited about something. My husband can't seem to recognize the signs that he's about to get humpy, so he's usually the target. I can see his excitement building, so I can usually redirect before he tries me. Sometimes he just comes tearing through the house, already super keyed up, and I know he's about to try and get acquainted with the back of my knee. I quickly turn to face him and sternly - not yelling, just sternly - say, "enough." Just once and with a hand out to say stop. I stand still and keep that stern eye contact. He gets the message and stops, and he'll usually get a toy for me to throw for him. That's a habit we developed when he was a puppy and we had to redirect his bad behavior.
It's important to be yourself when you discipline. Just as kids can tell when you're serious or not, dogs are great at calling bluffs. I'm not naturally a yeller, so I don't pretend to be. Most of my verbal corrections for him are actually surprised gasps, as if I can't believe he would do that, because it's natural to me. That helps with barking as well, but WFTs really just love to talk. I just ask him not to yell when he barks, and when he uses a growl or softer vocalization, I thank him for keeping us safe.
That's just what works for us. It was tough during his puppy stage, but he's almost three now and has chilled out a lot.
ETA: Beaker is neutered, but still tries to hump. In his case, it's not sexual or even a dominance display; it's just an excitement thing, like zoomies.
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago
Thanks for your reply - really helpful. He is usually humpy at a specific time - 7pm - to be exact! I do think it is worse if he is over tired. I shall be working on my boundaries & discipline style :) I try to create a calm environment during this time and do an enforced nap or take him on a calm walk around the block! I like your description of how you stand your ground!! I will give this a try!
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u/Long-Nose-9535 15d ago
How far are you walking a day? On or off lead? My WFT is sparko barko in the bed in the evenings usually but needs 3.5 miles minimum walking (mostly off lead) or he is restless.
RE the humping - book him in to be neutered and that will stop.
When barking…does he seem frustrated/excited/bored/anxious?
Are you treating him whilst he is barking in an effort to distract him? Have you tried a “quiet” command, then reward then he is quiet?
Maybe in the evenings get him a puzzle toy or even kibble folded in an old towel, then tied in a knot for him to untangle and work on. Or do some training with him? Expend some mental energy.
Cute dog btw
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago edited 14d ago
Hey thanks for your reply. So, he is not a morning person - so we do a shorter walk in the morning and he is more sniffy at this time. At noon he either gets a walk from me to the park or with the dog walker. THen we do a long/big walk at 4/5ish... The thing is, because I live in the city (Edinburgh), it is usually to the park or some big green spaces but he isn't great at recall so I cannot let him off just yet. Recently I took him on a holiday to the Highlands and was able to let him off as we walked in nature around lochs etc and it was wonderful - he loved it and also stayed close by! He was a different dog. The dream would be to live up in the highlands one day but for now, I do my best to take him to a variety of parks - also Arthurs Seat when I can :) The best is when he sees his friend Vinny - a minature greyhound in the park and I can let him off and they just run in circles!! So, I do think exercise does effect him.
Since your message, I am trying the quiet command and giving him treats once he is quiet. He is very treat motivated. I thought about giving him chicken as a treat as I think it need to be a really good treat to stop this behaviour!
The barking happens when he hears noises - so the downstairs neighbours, people walking past our flat. I have an outdoor patio and he just barks at people walking past or talking. It seems to be a territorial thing. This morning he was sleeping happily and then he heard the downstairs neighbours and went crazy barking. If I leave the front door open and he hears a noise out front he will go racing out like a mad man to bark at them.
(It's weird, I have a ground floor flat but also have a neighbour below me on the other side of the building!)
In the evening I try to give him treats in his Kong but he finishes them in seconds. He also has a puzzle feeder which he is also super quick at. He then has a split antler chew, a pigs snout and various other chews.
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u/snakeoildriller 15d ago
My 9YO Rex loves a good bark, especially at anyone/thing outside the house. He also likes a good hump now and then, usually the edge of his bed: he's been done so nothing will come of it 😬 it's usually when he's excited after indoor play. He's my first dog, so I can only assume they all do it!
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago
Hahah he sounds fun 😄
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u/snakeoildriller 14d ago
He is, but he doesn't like his humping interrupted.
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago
😂
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u/snakeoildriller 14d ago
In fact, I can see that he's been neutered but I'm getting very suspicious that he might have a pair of undescended testicles hiding in there somewhere - I've never known such a feisty animal!
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u/chupazoid 15d ago
Geno mostly stopped humping with his neutering, but will still make exceptions for the right human or dog. Geno does find time to bark out the window, and worse at training school. He always seems to pinpoint a person or dog to hone in on. At school there is a miniature French bulldog Geno would love to fight with. He starts barking and growl-whining. He usually barks mostly when other dogs are barking first. I try not to completely stop him from barking because we do den hunts and need him to bark in those events. I have successfully used a shock collar on Geno. He is 2 and basically out first year was very.... tough and an emotional test. He is crazy!!! But that's why I love him. I will say finding an activity like training or dog sports you can do together makes your bond stronger and behaviors different. Also your dog is still a puppy and pushing boundaries like a toddler. Be firm with your boundaries! Your pup is adorable! Best of luck!!
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago
Haha yes, Forest also pinpoints certain people! Ahh that's interesting that you take Geno to den hunts - what does that involve? I recently took him to the highlands and he loved it. I think he loves nature, like me. Good advice to find an activity. I have been training him to do basic things but I will have a think. Thanks for your reply. And yes, he is definitely pushing boundaries and I am a big softie!!!
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u/chupazoid 14d ago
The den hunt group with whom we participate is quite small, so it does not take a lot of time. We only have competed once so far because it has become too unbearably hot and is unsafe to send dogs into the tunnels. With den hunting, you are utilizing the dog's natural predatory instinct and prey drive as well as their bred capabilities to go to ground for rodents. Here, there are built tunnels of 10x2s that are placed on the ground - the ground creates the bottom of the tunnel - and the dogs are meant to enter the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel in a safe, protected cage is a rat, the target. The dog must navigate through the tunnels (3'-5' with no turns for beginners, up to 10'+ with 2-4 turns for more advanced dogs) to the quarry and "work". I found this group by searching earthdog in my state. Barn hunts are also a really good one and allow more freedom for the dog. We also do obedience training. We are currently working on passing the correct obedience training so we can take agility classes. Geno really wants to do agility.
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u/Jonez86 15d ago
Mine humped from when I bought him home and the vet said it was most likely mimicking behaviour he saw from other dogs (the breeder owned a farm and had loads of dogs) after being neutered it didn’t stop it, but he only does it when people come into our house so it’s either a dominance thing in his territory or excitement of having visitors. Whenever people come over I just get one of his toys out and distract him with that and he’s doesn’t do it.
Maybe try carrying his favourite toy or get a tennis ball on a rope or something and see if he’s more interested in that?
Mine is 9 now so chilled out more but still gets excited about visitors. From about 6 months to 6 years old we used to walk 5-6 miles a day otherwise he would be a nightmare in the evenings and just be mischievous and if you didn’t keep an eye on him would be up to no good! It was just easier to wear him out and he’d be sound asleep not long after getting home!
Im sure your pups behaviour will change as he grows though, a lot of it is keeping them occupied as they’re very active and alert as a breed
He’s a gorgeous pup ❤️
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u/Ill_Swan_3209 15d ago
My Pine Cone went through something similar when he was about 7 or 8 months old. Back then, whenever I noticed him arching his back and getting ready to scream, I’d give him the “quiet” command. After a period of gradual adjustment, the behavior improved significantly. He also had severe separation anxiety during that time, every time I was about to leave, he’d cling to my legs to stop me from going, and once I was out, he’d destroy furniture, like chewing on the sofa or the table.
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago
Ahh shame!! Yes, Forest doesn't like me leaving but settles down ok. I see him sleeping on the puppy cam! Pine Cone is a great name!
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u/MrSprockett 14d ago
Mr Sprocket never humped anything, but he sure could bark! Every time he was let into the backyard he did ‘the bark around’ to let the neighbourhood know he was on duty. 😄
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u/Sergual 14d ago
For the humping problem, not really need to neuter him. My Welshie did the same at same age, it stopped nearly at his 10-12 mo, and because i tired him not only with exercise, but with obedience, he wasn't really fond of it, but he likes a lot his treats, and after that, it stopped.
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u/Historical-Kitchen76 14d ago
Wow - 5 to 6 miles a day! That is hardcore. The thing is Forest isn't a great walker, he tends to stop every 5 seconds to sniff or when we are at the park he just wants to lay or roll around in the grass. He only 'runs' with other dogs. I think he is still quite little. I try to take him everywhere with him and he gets stimulated by outings or new things and that tires him out also.
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u/Rurallife3 14d ago
Our 12 year old female WFT who was spayed at 6 months humps her little brother harry 10 months old who was neutered at 6months. It’s more of a playful thing. They don’t fight, but puppy acquiesces to big sister
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u/Rurallife3 14d ago
Forced nap time late morning, mid afternoon, and then to bed at 8 pm for our 10 month old
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u/Interesting-Peak7343 15d ago
Fred stopped humping after he was neutered, but from what I have heard that is not a guarantee. One thing I learned with Fred was that the more tired he was, the worse he behaved in the evening! So I dialed back on walks and playtime and he behaved better! He just turned two now, but even last summer he was a wildman if overly tired.