If your dog keeps trying to mount you, trainer Baruch Correa has a refreshingly simple explanation: “Perhaps it needs a bit more activity to release its stress.”
It might look awkward, and yes, sometimes it’s funny, but mounting isn’t always about what you think. More often, it’s about canine stress or just way too much excitement. Trainers call this a displacement behavior; basically, when your dog doesn’t know what to do with all that energy, so it finds its own (not-so-great) outlet.
Correa explains it this way: “Your dog literally got stressed, got overexcited, and what happens is that it has to release that energy somehow. So, the displacement behavior is that: mounting you.”
You don’t need to get frustrated or embarrassed about this. Your best friend might be dealing with anxiety, not attitude. And the good news? With the right physical activity and a little consistent dog training, you can help them use that energy in much better ways.
Think about the last time you skipped a long walk — did your dog start zooming around the house, barking at shadows, or chewing something they shouldn’t? Mounting can be the same thing: excess energy looking for an escape.
Play more, mount Less
Correa’s fix is refreshingly fun: more play. But not just more — better play.
One of his favorite go-to activities is teether toys, or tug-of-war. You let your dog grab the toy, then move it side to side. This is a safe and a great way to make your dog burn energy. If you want to make it even better, ask your dog to sit or wait before you start. You will be giving them both a physical and mental workout in one go.
Another game Correa loves is using a Kong or a ball. These toys go along with their natural instincts, like chasing, biting, and catching. They also help with canine stress; and keep your dog too busy to think about mounting. If you’ve got a hallway, roll the ball back and forth. If you’ve got a yard, make it a short, high-energy sprint. Little bursts like that add up fast.
You don’t need to spend an hour playing every time. With only a few minutes a couple of times a day, you can see a big difference in your dog’s behavior.
Patience is the key
This part’s important: it’s not going to stop overnight. As Correa says: “This is about having patience, practicing a lot until your dog obeys you.”
If you give them more things to do, you will keep them physically and mentally busy. Try puzzle feeders, hide-and-seek with treats, scent games, or short training drills, for example. The more you do, the more their anxiety eases, and the less you’ll see the mounting.
If you live in an apartment or it’s raining, you can still tire them out indoors. Obstacle course with chairs and cushions is something you can do at your place, teach a new trick, or do a “find it” game with their favorite toy. It’s amazing how even 10 minutes of focused activity can help them settle.
A tired dog is going to be calmer but, they’re also going to be happier and more balanced.
What Your Dog’s Really Saying
Mounting isn’t always bad manners. It’s your dog’s saying: “I need something to do.”
Adding regular and engaging activities will give them healthier ways to get rid off that overexcitement. The bonus? A stronger bond and a much calmer, more content pup.
Once you make it part of your everyday life, you’ll see the change: less stress, less mounting, and a lot more tail wags.