( MNN.com ) -- Lulu and I have fostered our share of dogs over the years . It 's always fun to watch her teach shy and withdrawn pooches to cuddle or play keep-away . But I must admit that Lulu also has humped a few foster dogs in her day , even though she was spayed as a puppy . For advice on how to prevent this unwelcome behavior , I called trainers Andrew Zbeeb of Frogs to Dogs in Atlanta and Kate Jackson of Jabula Dog Academy in Decatur , Ga . Both deal with unruly pets for a living , and both agree that it 's important to address `` special hugging '' early and often . `` It 's more of an assertive thing than anything else , '' says Jackson . `` It 's a way of belittling another dog . It 's not necessarily dominating , but it 's very rude . '' To correct naughty dogs caught in the act , separate them immediately , Jackson says . Give the offending pooch a 30-second time out to sit and decompress . Then allow the dogs to resume play . `` If they step out of line again , offer time out again , '' she says . `` Redirect , redirect , redirect . '' MNN : 'Jenga ' dog and his owner defy the critics . Changing this behavior can take time , Zbeeb says . So do n't get frustrated . It 's the natural , normal way that dogs establish pecking order , he says , even if they have been spayed or neutered . That explains why Lulu reserves this unwelcome greeting for fosters rather than play dates . She never dared such rudeness with Daisy , my sister 's smaller but more dominant , pint-sized pooch . `` It 's a primitive instinct , '' Zbeeb says , adding that a high-value treat such as cheese or meat can help lure pets to another activity . He stresses that the treat has to be especially good to trump that instinctual behavior to hump . Also , it helps to put a leash on the dogs so you can lead them out of the room for a time out . No matter how embarrassed you get , it 's important to maintain a level head when addressing bad behavior . Cursing or yelling only worsens the problem , warns Jackson . As a lead trainer of pit bull training classes offered by the Humane Society of the United States , she puts that theory to practice every Saturday with mix of altered and unaltered dogs . If they grow agitated , Jackson maintains a calm demeanor in the eye of the storm . `` The minute you raise your voice and start yelling for something that 's embarrassing or stupid or bad , you lower your level of control , '' she says . `` When your dog does something that mortifies you , be swift and get in there . '' MNN : How to train your dog to behave around guests . That same rule applies if your dog decides to hump humans . Pull them away and schedule an immediate time out that 's outside or far away from the situation . You also can step into the dog 's space , reasserting your authority . `` Humping a human , that 's pretty ballsy , '' Jackson says , no pun intended . That may be grounds for calling in a trainer for assistance . `` If a dog shows confidence enough to belittle a human , they have low regard for people . That 's a dog that wo n't tolerate any correction from a lot of people -- and that can be pretty dangerous . '' In a previous column , I offered tips to help dogs behave around guests . Mastering the `` place '' command helps ensure good behavior . Zbeeb also recommends teaching your dog to properly greet humans . Start by making the dog sit and stay about 8 feet from the front door , but not right in front of the door . Once your dog masters sitting and staying , it 's time for you to approach the door . If the dog moves , offer a correction and make it return to the original spot . Return to the door and open it slightly , rewarding your dog for sitting and staying . Repeat this process daily . By the end of the week , your dog should be able to sit and stay without approaching the door , even if it 's wide open . Of course , it took much longer than a week for Lulu and me . Once you 've mastered this step , practice with familiar faces ringing the doorbell , then graduate to having strangers come to the door . With each exercise , the dog should maintain a sit and stay when guests arrive . `` Learning how to do this will also resolve the issue of humping humans , '' Zbeeb says . `` Dogs that hump humans do n't have boundaries and are saying , ' I 'm the boss . ' '' We ca n't have that , can we ? © Copyright 2010 Mother Nature Network .
Andrew Zbeeb Kate Jackson agree that it 's important to address `` special hugging '' early and often . To correct naughty dogs caught in the act , separate them immediately . Cursing or yelling only worsens the problem .