When your dog loves to hump.. everything!
Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Picture this .. Your best friend is visiting and suddenly your dog is humping her leg!
Are you going to take a picture off it and post it on IG #dogporn ? NO !
After you put the dog in another room and have apologized a thousand times, the question remains why do dogs hump on your legs, the pillows, the slippers and sometimes the hideous-looking stuffed giraffe that's seen better days...
Have you ever wondered why some dogs hump their toys, why dogs jump on your legs (or worse, on your guests' legs), and why some neutered (and even female) dogs engage in pounce or pounce? objects?
For all the embarrassed dog owners, let's take a look at possible reasons why your dog humps on stuffed animals or pillows and how to stop them.
Reason 1: dominance
Dogs will hump or mount others as a form of confirmation of their dominance.
This has been cited, at least in part, as a common reason neutered dogs suddenly turn to the family cat: This is much more about territory than anything else, and the same should be true of dogs that attack people and hump their legs.
For neutered dogs that hump, the recommended solution seems to be distraction rather than outright berating the behavior - which could instead create a compulsion and have a completely opposite effect.
Distract your dog with his favorite toy, a treat, a discarded stick. In the event that dogs are not neutered, many pet owners and vets recommend that people take their dog to the vet to get neutered.
Reason 2 : Humping by excitement
Humping by excitement is more common in male dogs, but can occur in both sexes. A dog that is particularly excited by playtime or meeting other dogs may start riding on other dogs or objects as a way to channel their excitement.
It is common for young males to ride on other dogs when they first meet because they experience a surge of excitement, with the accompanying hormones, when meeting a new dog.
This usually has little to do with dominance or aggression, but can cause an encounter to escalate into a fight, so humping should be stopped as soon as it starts.
If your dog does this more often, you will have to pay close attention during walks. Teach your dog to stay with you, or keep him on a leash. Stop humping right away, and don't let your dog harass other dogs in this way. Do not punish your dog, but distract him with a toy or snack, and take your dog with you.
You can do the same with toys. If your dog is excited about something, an increase in hormones such as testosterone may make him feel the need to ride on pillows or stuffed animals. Distract your dog again and take the hug away.
Keep in mind that your dog may find other things to ride on instead. This is normal behavior, so you must be consistent in removing the object your dog is riding on. Give your dog something else to do, such as a chew or a stuffed kong.
Reason 3 : Response to stress
Is your dog overly stressed? The humping could be their way of projecting their stress — yes, the same way someone has a terrible day at work, comes home and then eats a whole bowl of cheesecake pudding with a spoon.
In that case, your dog may benefit from a consultation with a dog behaviorist who can diagnose and properly treat your dog's problem, and hopefully address the root cause of the stress. The keyword seems to be repeated: Distraction. Find the source of your dog's stress and see if you can relieve the tension and distract him from his habit.
Your best chance here to cure their compulsion is to find the root cause of their stress and deal with that. Speaking of coercion…
Reason 4 : Humping for attention
Humping can be a learned behavior. A puppy may have started humping when he hit puberty, but he found himself getting your attention when he did. Even if your dog doesn't have a hormonal need to hump, he may choose to do so so he can get your attention.
This is easy to remedy. Whenever your dog humps a stuffed animal, remove the toy and leave the room. Not only has he now lost his toy, but he hasn't gotten the attention he wanted. He will soon learn that this behavior. You can continue this training by rewarding your dog when he calmly waits for you to give him attention.
Reason 5 : Driving on objects due to stress
Every dog experiences stress, and every dog deals with it differently. Even when your dog experiences stress, hormones are released that can trigger driving behaviour. It can be caused by a variety of situations, including:
A moving
Arrival of a baby
New pet
Death in the family
Disease
Renovation at home
Firework
Any situation that is perceived as scary or different from your dog's normal routine can trigger stress-related behaviors, such as humping. Dogs can't talk like we can, so they use their behavior to relieve stress. Compare it to nail biting in humans.
To stop the humping in this scenario, you need to determine what is causing the stress in your dog. Simply removing the object won't stop him from humping, and of course the stress is still there. You have to address the trigger to correct the behavior.
In this case, it may be best to see a dog behaviorist to help you understand your dog's fears. Keep track of your dog's humping behavior and what you did that day to get a better idea of the events that are stressful for your dog.
Reason 6 : Humping due to a condition or illness
The most likely conditions that cause humping are allergies and infections. Both cause itchy or irritated skin, and driving can help relieve the itching. Inflammations of the genitals can also be the cause of driving behaviour.
If your dog has never humped before and nothing has changed in his daily routine, check your dog's abdomen and genitals for irritation and bald spots. If the skin is red and shows other signs of irritation, it is recommended that you see a vet for a checkup.
Treating the allergy or infection will help stop the humping, as the trigger – the itchy skin – is no longer there. Without itching, your dog probably won't feel the urge to ride on his toys anymore.
What do you do against riding on stuffed animals or other objects?
For example, if your dog has been crate trained, teach him to go to his crate when he hears the doorbell and let him out when he's calm and your guests have settled in. Make sure your guests don't give your dog any attention so he learns that nothing out of the ordinary happens when people pass by.
Don't punish your dog if you see him humping a stuffed animal or pillow. He doesn't understand why you consider it bad behavior. Humping is a natural act for dogs, whether it be to reproduce or to express their emotions. Calmly remove the object your dog is riding on, and turn your dog's focus to something else. Correcting your dog will only make him more nervous, so he'll probably just find something else to ride on.
Create an environment where your dog can't access his stuffed animals without first getting them from you. Store the toys in a box or container with a lid so that your dog can only play with his toys if you are supervised. This eliminates the chance for your dog to hump his toys without you noticing and can greatly increase the success of your training to correct the behavior.
Does your dog like to hump ?
signed,
a dogmom