Humping is a pretty common behavior for dogs, but it’s not one we tend to enjoy as dog parents.
There are a number of reasons why dogs hump – both male and female – and it’s very rarely because they’re trying to assert dominance, as people often think. This is a common misconception, but it’s outdated!
Humping is usually harmless, when it’s not too excessive, but you might still want to know exactly why your dog is doing it, whether it’s to you, another dog, or even one of their favorite dog toys.
And that’s where certified dog trainer Melissa Goodman of Mission Pawsitive comes in. In a recent Instagram post, she’s outlined five potential causes of humping, and it’s useful to know if you’d like to work out the reason for your own pup’s behavior.
In her video, Goodman is working with a male dog, Pooh. She’s just arrived for a session with him, and he’s excited to see her. At the same time, Pooh gets overstimulated easily and can be susceptible to anxiety, too. “So, when he has a big feeling,” Goodman explains, “Humping is one way he releases that.”
So, why do dogs hump? Here are five common reasons:
1. Over-excitement: If your dog is over-excited, they might hump simply to get rid of any excess energy.
2. Overstimulation: When a dog gets a lot of sensory information in one go, they might get overstimulated. Dogs can release this information by humping.
3. Stress and anxiety: Humping can offer a dog relief from stress and anxiety, helping them feel grounded and working almost as a reset.
4. Frustration: Your dog may hump if they’re frustrated. For example, if you aren’t playing with them fast enough.
5. Attention-seeking: Particularly if your dog has learned that humping gets attention from their humans, they may do it. They know it gets a reaction – and this can be true even for dogs who receive a negative reaction from their parents.
This is not an exhaustive list, however. While these are all common reasons, boredom is another potential cause, while some dogs, particularly those who are younger but sexually mature and not spayed or neutered, may hump as a sexual behavior.
And, on occasion, humping can indicate a medical issue. Potential issues could include urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and itchy skin. Some male dogs might hump due to conditions of the prostate gland or penis, too, so if you have any concerns it’s best to consult your vet.
Overall, however, humping is a normal dog and puppy behavior, and most of the time it won’t become a serious problem.
You may also want to read: How to calm a hyper dog
