7 Reasons Why Does My Dog Hump Me And How To Stop It

The question of why dogs hump is a complex one, and the answer can vary depending on the individual dog.

Some dogs may hump as a way to release stress or anxiety, while others may be seeking attention or simply exhibiting dominance behaviors.

Whatever the reason behind your dog’s humping behavior, it is important to address it in order to keep your relationship with your dog healthy and avoid any negative behavioral consequences.

If you are concerned about your dog’s humping behavior, be sure to consult a professional trainer or behaviorist for guidance on how to best address it.

At what age do dogs start humping?

The age at which dogs typically start humping can vary depending on the individual dog and its overall developmental stage.

Some puppies may begin humping as young as four months old, while others may not exhibit this behavior until they are much older.

In general, however, it is most common for dogs to begin humping at around six to nine months old.

If you are concerned about your dog’s humping behavior, it is important to consult a professional trainer or behaviorist for guidance on how to best address it.

Why does my dog hump me?

There are several reasons why dogs are humping, including:

They’re trying to assert dominance

One of the most common reasons why dogs hump is because they’re trying to assert their dominance over you.

Humping is a way for them to show you that they’re the alpha in the relationship.

If your dog is humping you on a regular basis, it’s important to nip this behavior in the bud so that they don’t become too pushy.

They’re feeling excited or anxious

Dogs may also hump when they’re feeling excited or anxious.

If your dog is humping you while wagging its tail and panting, it’s likely that they’re just really happy to see you.

On the other hand, if they’re humping you while cowering and avoiding eye contact, it’s possible that they’re feeling anxious and are using humping as a way to self-soothe.

They’re trying to get your attention

Another reason why dogs may hump is that they’re trying to get your attention.

If your dog only humps you when you’re ignoring them or when you haven’t given them enough attention, it’s likely that this is the reason why.

In this case, the best thing to do is to give your dog more attention and affection so that they don’t feel the need to hump you to get it.

They’ve learned that it gets them what they want

If your dog has learned that humping gets them what they want, then they’ll continue to do it even if there’s no other reason behind it.

For example, if you usually give your dog a treat when they hump you, then they’ll continue to hump you in order to get the treat.

In this case, it’s important to break the cycle by not giving in to their demands.

They’re in the heat

If your female dog is humping everything in sight, including you, it’s possible that she’s in heat.

When dogs are in heat, their hormones go into overdrive, and they may start acting differently than usual.

If your dog is humping you and seems to be in heat, it’s best to take her to the vet so that she can be spayed.

They have a medical condition

In some rare cases, dogs may start humping as a result of a medical condition such as an infection or a tumor.

If your dog suddenly starts humping and doesn’t seem to be able to stop, it’s important to take them to the vet so that they can be checked out.

They were taught by another dog

If your dog grew up around other dogs, there’s a chance that they learned how to hump by watching the other dogs do it.

Dogs often learn behaviors from each other, so if one of their canine companions was always humping things, chances are good that your dog picked up on this behavior too.

Overall, there are many different reasons why dogs may start humping, and the best way to address this behavior will depend on the individual dog and the underlying cause.

How to stop your dog from humping?

There are several things you can do to stop your dog from humping you. It includes:

Understand why your dog is humping.

There are a few different reasons why dogs hump. Some do it for dominance, some do it because they’re excited, and some do it because they’re trying to get attention.

If you can figure out why your dog is humping, you’ll be better able to stop the behavior.

Don’t punish your dog for humping.

If you punish your dog for humping, they may become afraid of you or start to associate humping with something negative. This can make the behavior worse, not better.

Try to redirect your dog’s attention.

If your dog is humping because they’re excited, try to redirect its attention to something else.

For example, if they start to hump your leg when you come home from work, give them a toy to chew on instead.

Give your dog plenty of exercises.

A tired dog is a good dog. If your dog is full of energy, they’re more likely to start humping things out of excitement or boredom.

Make sure you’re giving them enough exercise so they can burn off some steam.

Ignore the behavior.

In some cases, the best thing you can do is simply ignore the behavior.

If your dog is humping for attention, they’ll eventually learn that humping doesn’t get them what they want and will stop doing it.

Teach your dog the “leave it” command.

This command can be useful in a variety of situations, including when your dog is trying to hump someone or something.

Once your dog learns that “leave it” means to stop what they’re doing and walk away, you can use it to stop them from humping people or furniture.

Spay or neuter your dog.

Intact dogs (those who have not been spayed or neutered) are more likely to hump than those who have been spayed or neutered.

This is because hormones play a role in behavior. If you spay or neuter your dog, it may be less likely to hump in the future.

Use positive reinforcement. 

Whenever your dog exhibits the desired behavior, such as not humping, make sure to praise them and give them a treat.

This will help them associate good things with not humping and may make them less likely to do it in the future.

Final words

There are many different strategies that can be used to stop dogs from humping, including redirecting their attention, providing them with plenty of exercises, and using positive reinforcement.

Ultimately, the best approach will depend on the individual dog and the underlying cause of the behavior.

If you are dealing with a dog that humps frequently, it is important to consult a vet in order to determine the best course of action for addressing the behavior.