How do I explain dog humping - to a 3 year old

mckayleesmom wrote: The other day I saw Otis jump on Mckaylee's back and start trying to hump her. I made him get off of her and Mckaylee says "but mommy, hes rubbing my back and it will make him sad if he stops".... I told her that he wasn't and that when he trys to do it again to make him get down. I just turned around and he is trying to hump her again....I make him get down and again...Mckaylee thinks he is just being friendly(which he is), but I just can't get her to understand that its not a good thing. How do I explain a dogs sexual appetite to a 3 year old?

What can I tell her to make her know its wrong for him to do that? I think she lets him because she thinks if she doesn't it will hurt his feelings.

holley79 replied: Explain to her that you don't want him jumping up because when other people come over he will do it to them and it's rude for dogs to do that. I don't think she will completely understand the "humping" thing. Is she does then I guess just explain to her that he will do it to guests and again it's rude. She doesn't need to allow him to do it.

mckayleesmom replied:
I will try that.....I just couldn't come up with something to tell her that would make sense to her. She doesn't understand sex...so there is no way I was going to get into that at 3 years old.

CantWait replied: That's a perfect reason, and very true.

PrairieMom replied:
ooohhhh, good answer!

redchief replied: Oh that is one of the funniest Mckaylee stories yet. How do you keep from falling apart everyday? I'd be in stitches and the poor kid would get a complex.

Anyhow, explain to her that Otis is growing up and he thinks she's another doggie, and that she should remind him that she's not a doggie and that doggies aren't supposed to do that to people.

mckayleesmom replied:
I always just close my eyes and take some deep breaths Ed.......Leithan always says "what is wrong with our child" and cracks up..

TANNER'S MOM replied: I think it's time for Otis to get fixed...lol

My friend had a big rott and he would do this to Tanner and they thought it was funny... I found disgusting and refused to visit ever again....

gr33n3y3z replied:
I agree Mel LOL

Our rabbit did the samething until we got him fixed

Boys r us replied: Sorry, I can't stop laughing long enough to help you....maybe I'll be mroe of a grown up in a few minutes and able to compose myself long enough to come up with an explanation for you!

Cece00 replied: I second that Otis needs to get fixed.

mom21kid2dogs replied:
Just so you know, neutering dogs doesn't take away the humping behavior. It does take away the "means" to the end, though, if you KWIM.

We call it doggie dancing in our house. That explaination satisfied O from 3 on. If she sees an excited male dog she'll say "look Mom, he wants to dance!!"

mckayleesmom replied:
Exactly....Mr. Otis has already had his beans removed.....dh checked him

Donna027 replied:
sorry I had to laugh, thats cute yet clever

CantWait replied:
Rabbits do that too. Geez I always heard of the saying humping like rabbits, but I didn't think it was true.