Dogs are part of the family. Moreover, you might find humping as an annoying behavior in your dog. You are probably wondering, “Why does my dog hump me?” Furthermore, this behavior is not limited to male dogs since some female dog may also exhibit humping behavior. Let’s find out what causes this humping behavior in dogs and ways to stop it.
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Why Does My Dog Hump Me?
Dog humping is a natural behavior that even puppies might display at a young age. However, dog humping behavior is often unwanted, especially if they are mounting you, your family or your visitors quite often. But, contrary to popular belief, dog humping behavior is not limited to male dogs. In rare instances, female dogs may also exhibit sexual behavior.
There are numerous reasons why a dog may want to hump you. Furthermore, it might be an indicator of an underlying physical or behavioral problem. Also, heightened dog feelings such as excitement and stress may trigger humping behavior. These are the most common reasons why your dog may consistently hump you.
Elevated Sex Hormone Levels
Sex hormones manipulate sexual behavior in dogs. Moreover, if there is an imbalance in these hormones, it may lead to excessive sexual behavior or a lack of it. Also, male dogs may exhibit extreme sexual behavior and potentially dominance, in the presence of a female dog in heat.
When a female dog is in heat, the hormones of the female also changes. Furthermore, even females may exhibit humping behavior if there is no male present to breed with her. On the other hand, if you own intact male and female dogs, when a female is in heat, she influences hormonal and behavioral changes in male dogs to stimulate sexual behavior.
Elevated sex hormones are normal in certain life stages of your dog. Moreover, this often happens in the early adulthood of male and female dogs which greatly varies depending on the dog’s breed and size. In females, sex hormones are elevated when they are in heat and trying to attract a mate. During this time of sexual maturity, it is more likely that your dog would hump you.
Health Problems
Health problems may lead to the overproduction or underproduction of hormones in both male and female dogs. Moreover, sex hormones might get affected by certain health conditions that require veterinary treatment or intervention. Here are the common health problems in dogs that may increase humping behavior:
Behavioral Problems
If your dog has reached sexual maturity, then leg mounting might be inevitable. However, your dog doesn’t have to hump you. Besides, when it happens in dog parks and other public places while you are walking a dog, it might really be embarrassing.
If your dog displays behavioral problems and it is not addressed, then it may lead to further problems. However, it might not be simple stubbornness; it might be a sign of dominant and controlling behavior in your dog. Once your dog is allowed to do what it wants and it no longer treats you as its master, then it can lead to excessive humping.
Plenty of Pent up Energy
If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise, it may lead to plenty of pent up energy that can make your dog out of control. Eventually, your dog may find other ways to release their energy which also includes humping you or various things in your household. Humping behavior and masturbation release a lot of pent up energy in your dog.
How to Manage Dog Humping Behavior
Dog humping behavior might be embarrassing especially in public areas. However, you can manage this behavior with proper procedures. Also, you might even find some training tools quite handy. You can manage dog humping behavior with these solutions to minimize or eventually eliminate the behavior.
Proper Training
Proper training is the key to any behavioral problem. However, sometimes, training your dog is easier said than done. You may attempt to train your dog and stop humping people at home with positive reinforcement, stop command and consistency. But, some dogs can really be very stubborn and the management of this humping behavior can prove more difficult. Also, enough exercise has to be coupled with proper training.
You may try to use a dog training collar to aid in training sessions. Moreover, once your dog is exhibiting humping behavior, the electronic collar can be used to help stop it once your dog refuses to listen to voice commands. But, if all else fails and your intact dog continues its humping behavior, you may seek the help of a professional dog trainer.
Neutering or Spaying
Sometimes, proper training might not be enough to manage your dog’s humping behavior. Luckily, other options are available to minimize or eliminate this behavior. You may also resort to spaying or neutering your dog to prevent excessive sexual behavior, such as humping and territorial behavior.
Spaying or neutering your dog has to be done at the right time. Moreover, your veterinarian, may even advice you to spay or neuter your dog even before sexual maturity. On the other hand, if you currently have a senior dog, neutering might already be too late. Essentially, spaying or neutering a dog is to prevent unwanted reproduction. But, it may also minimize or eliminate unwanted sexual behavior in dogs.
Conclusion
There are many answers to the question, “Why does my dog hump me?” However, regardless of the reasons why your dog humps you, there are two effective solutions to get rid of unwanted behavior. Furthermore, proper training and enough exercise are both important in the management of dog humping behavior. But, if all else fails, you may physically prevent your dog from having these urges in your dog by spaying and neutering.
