Hello everyone. Welcome back to our new blog where today we will be talking about ‘Why dogs hump and what to do about it’.
The main reason behind a dog’s hump is because they are in heat. This is how they mate with females and hence is considered a sexual position for the canines. However, canine behaviour experts also link other reasons to the behaviour, such as health conditions, seeking attention, dominance, or general play.
While watching a pooch hump pillows, a person’s leg or its favourite blankie in movies may seem laughable, in reality it can be pretty annoying. Just imagine your dog pretty much humping anyone and everyone, no matter if it’s an animal, a toy, or your guest’s leg. Such situations can be really frustrating and embarrassing and hence understanding the reason and following it with proper treatment methods is highly advised.
Table of Contents
Why do dogs hump?
As we discussed previously, if your dog humps, it generally is a sexual behavior. However, if the act is weirdly consistent or suddenly has become excessive, then the main culprit might be something else.
Hormones
Unlike us, dogs mate two times a year, whose exact time may vary depending upon the individual dog’s mating cycle. So, if you notice a sudden change in your pup’s behaviour, including licking, sniffing, loss of appetite, increased aggressiveness and territory marking, it’s time to cross your dog.
During this phase, considerable physical changes such as a swollen vulva, blood-tinged discharge, or clingy behaviour is also common in females. They may also start being aggressive towards male dogs, which is a typical behaviour of a female in heat, so there is nothing to worry about.
Thus, if any of these changes happen, make sure to consult with your vet. This will aid confirm that there is no other reason behind your dog’s incessant humping and marking.
Playful behaviour
Has this ever happened to you where you find your beloved pooch humping a same-sex dog or another animal in mid-play? Well, even though it may be super embarrassing as pet owners, it is quite normal for canines to display such actions. Every dog loves playtime and all that excitement sometimes leads to such playful humping amongst each other. A poorly socialised dog also displays such an attitude, making proper socialisation a necessity.
In a flash the dog that had been previously humping its playmate may come down allowing the other to hump him/her. And no, this doesn’t mean your dog is gay or whatever. However, this advance may not be entertained by the other dog, which often leads to dog fights.
Pleasure
Everyone loves pleasure, and this also goes for our adorable pooches. So, even though you had your pet spayed or neutered from a small age, they still might masturbate or hump your legs. The action in itself feels good, much like human masturbation, and hence they might be doing only to relieve themselves and feel good.
Humping and mating is a biological nature to them and hence occasional humping is no big deal. The same is also common between same-sex dogs, intact ones, spayed and also spayed or neutered dogs.
Severe health conditions
Certain health conditions may also trigger excessive humping behaviour in both intact and compromised dogs. So, if your dog has had a history of urinary incontinence, prostate problems, urinary tract infection, etc, it is best to reconsult your veterinarian. Depending upon the pooch’s health profile, they will advise medications which will aid relieve the symptoms by several fold. This is also possible if your dog has been showing symptoms of stress, or has severe separation anxiety.
Not every humping dog is looking for pleasure, and hence proper care is a must. For more information, you can also visit here.
Dominance
Every woofer has its own personality. Thus, while some may be very docile, others may show dominance over every living object they come across. These are however detectable using telltale signs, such as a still body, direct intimidating eye contact, standing in an upright posture, and even growling or snapping. If your dog exhibits any of these signs, he is probably trying to turn the other dog or animal into submission.
As humping is considered a submissive pose for the dog at the bottom, your pooch may stand on top of them, ears perked up, and body heavily tensed. Behaviours like these often end up in huge dog fights and therefore careful observation and proper socialisation are highly needed.
Why does my dog hump me and no one else?
If you have been looking for the answer behind your dog’s constant thrusting on your legs, here are a few reasons to consider:
- Your scent- Dogs are greatly attracted to scents and pheromones. So, if your dog has a rather weird obsession with you, it might be due to your body scent. They simply find you ambrosial and hence try to mate.
- Playful behaviour- As explained previously, your dog might be too excited during the playtime and hence attempt one or two playful thrustings
- A challenge to your leadership- If your dog doesn’t respect you, chances are also high that they are trying to exhibit them as the ‘boss’ by leg-thrusting. However, this is not the only sign of a dog that’s challenging your authority.
- Poor training- Often an unkempt and untrained dog will also do the same. They are unable to differentiate between what’s good and bad, thereby displaying such actions everytime they are excited.
- Separation anxiety- A woofer with severe separation anxiety will try anything and everything to get your attention, including humping your legs and even clothes.
- Too much excitement or stress- Mostly recurrent in dogs that stay alone with single parents, your pooch is going to relieve themselves on your legs only. This may happen in both excited or stressful situations, as the dog is unable to cope with its bursting feelings and wants to pent-up.
- Not enough exercise- When not exercised enough, canines may choose humping as their best way to alleviate excess energy. As the action requires them to put a lot of pressure into their tiny little bodies, humping their human companion’s legs works like a temporary fix.
When does this behaviour become a problem?
Not every humping is for crossing with the female. Given their curious nature, they ‘half learn’ and ‘half accustom’ themselves to do so. It is critical to note that the small giggles or laughs when your pooch humps someone, makes the dog think they are doing a good thing which is also gaining your attention, thereby turning the act into a habit. This can rapidly grow into a dog behavioural problem or end up becoming a compulsive disorder. Finally, leaving you with no choice but to seek a professional and licensed behavioural expert’s help.
Apart from this, in case your dog whines constantly when humping your leg or any plushy, it is often a sign of priapism. The condition leaves them with recurring painful erections which can only be relieved by thrusting themselves against something. The same also goes with UTI, urinary incontinence, skin allergies, and prostate problems.
So, you immediately need to consult a doctor if, your pooch has:
- Sticky foul smelling discharge from their prepuce
- Constant whining when humping
- Excessive licking of genitals
- Yellowish discharge from female’s vulva
- Vomiting and no appetite
- Swollen privates with some redness
- Enlarged prostate glands
- Uncontrollable bladder activities
- Severe lethargy and disinterest in their favourite things
- Fever
- Painful and constipated bowel movement
Based upon the dog’s situation, your vet will run a few tests to find out the exact underlying reason. Afterward the puppy might be kept under constant observation or sent back home with a list of prescriptions.
So, this was all about the heavily reserached topic ‘why do dogs hump.’ If your pooch has also been displaying excessive humping lately, you might want to look out for the best ways to stop them, here.
Till next time, take care and stay safe.
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