Why Do Dogs Hump?

Dogs are known for their playful behaviour, loyalty, and, sometimes, for their peculiar habits. One such practice that often leaves many dog owners perplexed and occasionally embarrassed is humping. While typically associated with male dogs, humping is a behaviour exhibited by females as well and can occur at any age. But why do dogs engage in this behaviour, and what does it signify? This article delves into the reasons behind canine humping and offers insights into when and how to address this behaviour.

What is Humping in Dogs?

Humping, or mounting, is when a dog puts its front paws on another dog, person, or object and makes a thrusting motion. This behaviour is not exclusively sexual; dogs hump for various reasons, ranging from playfulness to stress relief. It’s a natural behaviour for dogs, but understanding its motivations is crucial for appropriately managing or redirecting it.

Why Do Dogs Hump People?

Sexual/Hormonal Reasons

Sexual and hormonal urges are perhaps the most well-known reasons for humping. Unneutered male dogs and unspayed females often exhibit mounting behaviours as they reach sexual maturity. The act is driven by instinctual urges, even without a mate. These hormonal drives can lead to humping behaviours that are persistent and, at times, indiscriminate in the choice of target.

Stress-Related Humping

Stress-related humping may seem counterintuitive, but dogs often resort to repetitive behaviours to cope with anxiety. Humping can be one such repetitive behaviour that dogs use to self-soothe when they feel stressed, anxious, or nervous. Changes in the home, new people or pets, or any disruption to their routine can trigger this type of response.

Excitement and Overstimulation

Humping can also be a byproduct of sheer excitement or overstimulation. During play or when greeting their owners, dogs may become overjoyed and express this excitement through humping. This is commonly seen in dogs that have high energy levels or those that get quickly excited by stimuli in their environment.

Playfulness and Play Initiation

For some dogs, humping is part of interactive play. It can be a way for them to initiate play with other dogs or their human companions. While it can be harmless, it’s essential to ensure that the play remains consensual among all parties involved, especially if other dogs are the subjects of such behaviour.

Dominance and Social Structure

The idea that humping is a display of dominance is a common misconception. While it can be a part of establishing social hierarchies among dogs, it’s not necessarily about dominance. More often, it’s about learning social cues and boundaries. Young dogs may hump as they test their place in the social structure, learning from the reactions of other dogs what is acceptable.

Medical Issues That Can Cause Humping

Sometimes, humping can be symptomatic of an underlying medical issue. Conditions like urinary tract infections, skin allergies, or even priapism (persistent and often painful erections) can lead to excessive humping. It’s important to rule out these conditions, primarily if the behaviour arises suddenly or is accompanied by other signs of distress.

Behavioral Aspects and Other Causes

Humping can become a learned behaviour, especially if it garners attention from the owner, even if the attention is negative. Some dogs may also hump out of habit or boredom, particularly if they lack sufficient mental and physical stimulation.

When Is Humping a Problem?

While humping is a normal dog behaviour, it becomes problematic when it is excessive, inappropriate, or disruptive. If a dog’s humping habits are causing stress to other pets or people, or if it seems compulsive and uncontrollable, it may indicate a behavioural issue that needs to be addressed.

How to Stop Your Dog From Humping

Minimise Mounting Opportunities

Preventing humping can be as simple as minimising opportunities for your dog to engage in the behaviour. Pay attention to the situations that trigger humping and manage the environment accordingly to avoid these triggers.

Catch Your Dog in the Act and Redirect Behavior

Interrupting the behaviour with a firm “no” or a distraction and then redirecting your dog to a different, more acceptable activity is a practical approach. Consistency is critical—every time your dog begins to hump, divert their attention elsewhere.

Address Your Dog’s Stress

Identify sources of stress in your dog’s life and take steps to eliminate or reduce them. This may involve changes to your home environment routine or providing your dog with more interactive playtime and exercise.

Provide Appropriate Alternatives and Distractions

Offer your dog toys or initiate a game as alternative activities to humping. This not only distracts your dog but also helps to burn off the excess energy that might be contributing to their humping behaviour.

The Role of Neutering in Humping Behavior

Spaying or neutering can significantly reduce the incidence of humping in dogs. These procedures eliminate the hormonal drives that can lead to sexually motivated humping, though they may not address non-sexual reasons for the behaviour.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your dog’s humping behaviour becomes compulsive or challenging to manage, it’s wise to consult with a veterinarian to rule out medical causes. Additionally, a professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviourist can assist in addressing problematic humping behaviours.

When to Contact Your Vet about Your Dog’s Humping

If your dog’s humping is accompanied by signs of distress, such as whining, licking at the genitals, or changes in urination habits, it’s time to consult your vet. These could be indicators of a medical issue that requires professional attention.

Behavior	Physical Signs	Behavior Changes	Immediate Vet Visit (Yes/No)
Persistent humping	Excessive licking of the genital area	Aggression or irritation when humping is interrupted	Yes
Humping after being neutered	Unusual discharge or bleeding	Redness or swelling in the genital area	Yes
Humping inanimate objects	Excessive licking of genital area	Lethargy or disinterest in usual activities	No, but schedule a check-up
Humping despite redirection	Signs of pain (whining, limping)	Changes in eating or drinking habits	Yes
Humping and crying	Weight loss or gain	Avoidance of interaction or touch	Yes
–	–	A sudden increase in humping frequency	Yes

FAQs About Dogs Humping