By Carly Soffe
Understanding Humping in Dogs: It’s Not Always What It Seems
Humping, or mounting, is one of the most commonly misunderstood behaviours in dogs. Many people assume it’s a sign of dominance, sexual behaviour, or poor training, but the reality is often far more nuanced. Humping is a complex behaviour, usually rooted in emotional or social contexts. Importantly, it’s not about dominance.
Why Do Dogs Hump?
There are a variety of reasons why a dog may engage in humping. Often, it has little to do with reproduction or control and more to do with how they’re feeling or coping with a situation. Some common reasons include:
- Play Behaviour: For some dogs, humping is simply their way of initiating or engaging in play. It can be part of their normal play style, especially in puppies and young dogs.
- Emotional States: Dogs may hump when they’re feeling stressed, anxious, overexcited, or insecure. It’s a self-soothing behaviour that can help them manage overwhelming emotions.
- Pent-up Energy or Frustration: Dogs with excess energy or those who are bored and under-stimulated may hump as a way to release tension.
- Overstimulation: In situations with a lot going on, such as new environments, noisy places, or too many dogs, humping can be a coping mechanism to deal with overstimulation.
- Sensory Seeking: Some dogs hump because they are simply seeking stimulation or sensations.
- Habitual or Learned Behaviour: Once a dog has developed the habit, they may continue to do it regardless of the context.
- Displacement Behaviour: In confusing or uncertain situations, dogs may hump as a way to redirect their energy.
- Lack of Sleep or Medical Issues: Tiredness or even underlying medical conditions can also contribute to humping behaviour.
Why Dogs Don’t Hump
Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not hump because they are:
- Trying to be dominant
- Seeking control
- Wanting to be the “alpha”
- Unneutered (not being neutered may influence hormones, but it’s rarely the direct cause)
- Driven by lust or mating urges
- Displaying same-sex attraction
- Seeking attention
These ideas are often based on outdated or misinformed views of dog behaviour. Labelling a dog as “dominant” or “alpha” can lead to inappropriate training responses and misunderstandings.
A Misunderstood Behaviour
Humping is often judged by how it looks. But it’s rarely about what we think it is. As dog guardians, it’s essential to look beyond the behaviour and ask why it’s happening. Is your dog overexcited? Under-stimulated? Feeling unsure? Recognising the emotional or environmental triggers is key to understanding and responding to the behaviour appropriately.
What Should You Do?
If your dog humps frequently, observe the context and consider their emotional state. Are they getting enough physical and mental stimulation? Are they well-rested? Do they seem anxious or overwhelmed? In some cases, it might be worth speaking to a qualified canine behaviourist to help uncover underlying issues.
Above all, remember that humping isn’t bad or shameful. It’s just another form of communication and coping. The more we understand our dogs’ behaviour, the better we can support their wellbeing.