Why do dogs hump?
I volunteer with Louisville Metro Animal Services, the city shelter, walking dogs and taking them on field trips (outings outside of the shelter). A couple of weekends ago, we attended Hammer Lou, the city’s largest adoption event. I was paired with Cannonball, a 20ish pound, 6ish month old, black and white recently neutered pup. This cutie did not stop humping me for an hour an a half!
Humping is when a dog gets on another dog, person, or item with front legs around another dog, and thrust their pelvis. It could be at the hind end of another dog, side, head, or even on a person or object. Both male and female, neutered or spayed, dogs hump. I hear people say all the time that dogs hump to show dominance. This is a myth. So why do dogs hump? There are several possible reasons
– Sexual: it’s completely normal for intact dogs, or recently neutered dogs, to hump due to the hormones they experience. Even if your dog is fixed, if he or she was fixed at a later age, they may still like the feeling.
-Attention or Play: They may hump you, or another dog to get your attention or to get you to play. It works! You push them away when they hump you or rush over if they hump another dog. You may be accidentally reinforcing the behavior. They’ve likely seen other dogs do it and think it’s a great way to play or get attention.
-Excitement: They may be excited to see you or their favorite friend and humping helps with excess energy
-Stress or Anxiety: Similar to play, it’s a great way to use up extra energy and it can be soothing and help reduce stress or anxiety
-Medical: in rare cases, humping could be because of bladder or urine issues or even because of an itchy spot that feels good to rub.
What should you do about it?
-Redirect: Throw a toy, ask them to come while offering a reward, get their attention with something else they like to do. If that doesn’t work, remove them from the situation and all fun stops.
-Exercise and Attention: Provide a healthy outlet for excess energy by walking, running, or playing and giving them the attention they are looking for.
-Socialize and Appropriate Play: Show them the appropriate way to play and socialize with other dogs so they learn.
-Remove triggers: If there is a certain toy or dog or stressor that causes your dog to hump, remove that trigger.
-Spay/Neuter or Vet Check: If your dog is intact, consider spay/neuter or a vet check if you think there may be a medical reason for the humping.
When is humping a problem?
-Frequency: if your dog is spending a lot of time humping and is not engaging in other activities.
-Aggression: if your dog because aggressive with you or other dogs when you try to stop them.
-Medically: if your dog is rubbing themselves raw or if you think it might be a bladder or urine issue.
Cannonball did not get adopted at the event. I checked on him at the shelter the following day. We to the play yard and for a nice long walk and he did not hump at all! If your dog is humping and it has become a problem for you or your dog and none of the above solutions are working, please contact me for help.
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