Humping/Mounting
While it may feel annoying or embarrassing to us humans, humping (or mounting) falls into the category of normal dog behavior. This behavior is often misunderstood and is NOT performed to assert dominance, nor is it always a sexual behavior or act of mating. Humping is frequently seen as a response to stress, anxiety, frustration, excitement, over-arousal and/or a lack of social skills. Humping is seen in both males and females, altered and unaltered dogs, and at different ages. It is common to see them hump other dogs, humans, toys, objects, or even “air humping.” Dogs may also use humping as an attention-seeking behavior, and it can even be related to an underlying medical cause.
Humping is an internally-reinforcing behavior for dogs, as they may enjoy the attention they get, it might relieve their anxiety, or it just feels “good”/pleasurable. Whether a dog has been reinforced for this behavior for a long time or has just begun to exhibit this behavior, preventing it from occurring and managing their environment is key.
Dog-to-Dog Humping
Sometimes you will see dogs taking turns humping each other, where it only lasts a few seconds before it turns into a chase game and they switch spots. While humping can be a normal behavior in your dog’s play repertoire, there may be potential for a fight to break out if the recipient objects to this type of attention. With both young and mature dogs, you can use time-outs to teach your dog that humping makes the fun end. Have your dog drag a leash (could be a short “tab” leash or full length) so you can separate your dog quickly, easily, and safely. Be aware of your dog’s body language and look for the beginning signs that may indicate your dog is going to begin to mount – this usually occurs as play escalates and arousal increases. When this occurs, gently pick up the leash and calmly remove your dog, preferably to a separate area for a brief break to relax and reset. Do not yell, physically correct your dog, or grab them by the collar. Once your dog has calmed down, reward them and allow them to go back to play. The earlier that you intervene, the more effective the intervention will be since your dog will be unable to fully engage in the behavior.
You can also work on implementing a solid recall cue (ex. “come”), so you can call them away from the other dog when you begin to see them engaging in these behaviors. Be sure to always make the break fun and rewarding so they continue to respond to the cue.
Finally, if you are aware that your dog is an avid humper, set up play dates with tolerant dogs in a neutral, outdoor area while you work on this behavior before taking them to a dog park or other large, group-play settings. If you find yourself in a situation where your dog will not stop humping, remove your dog and leave before it escalates.
Dog-to-Human Humping
There are many ways to manage this behavior in your home. Most importantly, you will need to educate your guests on how to respond to your dog’s humping before they become the focus of your dog’s attention. If your guests are sitting down and your dog begins to mount them, simply ask them to stand up and walk away. Explain to them that any talking, pushing off, or physical restraint will only reinforce this behavior, especially if your dog is attention-seeking. You can also have your dog drag a leash when guests come over to help calmly remove them for a time-out (as discussed with dog-to-dog humping above).
If the behavior becomes continuous and disruptive, you can tether your dog to a sturdy piece of furniture in the same room as you and your guests, and provide your dog with toys and enrichment items to engage with. This way, your dog can still be a part of the social experience without becoming a nuisance. If the tether increases stress for your dog, put them in a different room or separate them using a baby gate, always providing them with plenty of enrichment items.
If your dog growls, snaps, or shows other aggression when you try to remove them from a human while humping, they should be placed in a crate or in a separate room with enrichment when guests are over. Social settings are not an ideal time to work on aggressive behaviors. In these cases, you should contact a professional, certified, force-free trainer in your area for a behavior consult to help modify this behavior safely.
Dog-to-Object Humping
Some dogs may find certain objects to be a desirable target of humping, such as a stuffed toy, dog bed, pillows, etc. For the most part, there is no harm in allowing your dog to engage in these behaviors if the objects used are appropriate and it doesn’t become obsessive. If you are looking to prevent this behavior, removing the object and utilizing time-outs can help redirect and eliminate the humping. Replace it with a more appropriate enrichment toy (a Kong, food puzzles, etc.). If your dog is already engaged with the item, be sure to redirect their attention and trade with them by using high-value treats or a toy to avoid resource-guarding. If object-humping becomes obsessive by causing harm to your dog or interfering with their ability to live a normal life, you should contact a professional, certified, force-free trainer in your area.
Management and Decreasing Stress
Prevention and management are both very important in helping reduce or eliminate humping behaviors in your dog. Since it likely manifests due to anxiety or frustration, you may want to ask yourself how you can help decrease your dog’s stress, therefore reducing the frequency of their humping. Being consistent about reducing your dog’s stress, removing the “rewards” for humping, and reinforcing alternative behaviors are all very important steps in eliminating the behavior.
Manners classes can also help teach your dog reliable cues such as “go to mat,” “leave it,” or “down,” which – if reinforced well enough – can interrupt the humping and redirect their attention elsewhere. By following these steps and guidelines consistently, you can be successful in reducing or eliminating this awkward behavior!
