Why Does My Dog Hump Me?

There’s nothing like coming home from a long day to embrace your pup in a hug and cuddle sesh, only to have your dog clamp onto your leg and hump you instead. It feels awkward and may have you questioning how your dog really sees you.

But fear not: This behavior usually doesn’t signify to dogs what it does to us, and there can be many rational explanations for why this is happening. Understanding the underlying causes of this behavior is the first step. Once you have an idea as to why your dog is humping you, you can work on strategies to eliminate this behavior. Read on to learn all about why your dog may be humping you.

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Main takeaways

• Humping can be a normal behavior for both intact and spayed/neutered dogs

• There are many different reasons why dogs exhibit this behavior and it is important to observe the context in which it is occurring

• Once you understand why your pup is humping, you can target your approach to deterring this behavior

Why do dogs hump people?

Dogs may hump people, other dogs, or even inanimate objects for a number of reasons, including behavioral and health reasons. In moderation, this type of mounting behavior is normal and is part of how dogs interact with one another. However, there may be situations where the behavior becomes excessive, or simply unwanted, and it is important to determine the root cause of their mounting behavior in order to stop it.

Are you supposed to let your dog hump you?

No; there is no good reason to let your dog hump you. If your dog only does this rarely, and it doesn’t bother you, there is no need to panic, and you can choose to ignore it. However, if your dog is doing this frequently, especially to other people who may not be as understanding, and/or if it really bothers you, it’s important to stop the behavior. This is not only for your benefit, but also for your dog’s benefit. Excessive mounting behavior is a sign of a problem, either behavioral or medical, and your dog needs help.

Reasons why your dog may hump you

Dogs may exhibit mounting behavior due to behavioral or medical reasons. Sometimes there is overlap between medical and behavioral reasons, too. The most common causes include:

Behavioral reasons why dogs hump

• Displacement behavior: Basically, this is the idea that a dog exhibits a behavior as an outlet for other emotional energy. For example, if your dog is very excited, frustrated, or anxious about a situation, they may displace that energy through an activity like humping. 

• Attention-seeking: Mounting can also be a way of seeking attention. The behavior itself often gets everyone’s full attention, and even if this is negative attention, it can unintentionally reinforce the behavior. If the dog starts to associate humping with getting your full attention, this may encourage them to do so. 

• Play: Dogs will sometimes display mounting behavior during play with other dogs, and this is often a normal interaction. Your dog may attempt to hump you during play sessions for the same reason.

Health-related reasons why dogs hump

• Sexual arousal: The most basic explanation for why a dog humps is sexual arousal. For dogs who are intact, this is especially true, because they have a hormonal drive to reproduce and become naturally sexually aroused. Dogs who are spayed and neutered can also experience sexual arousal, although this drive tends to be diminished. 

• Pain: Humping behavior can sometimes be secondary to pain, most commonly in their urinary or reproductive tracts. This can include conditions like urinary tract infections, injuries, congenital malformations of their anatomy, and more. 

• Itchiness: Similarly, dogs who are very itchy, especially around their genitals or anus may hump due to discomfort.

• Hormonal influences: Sometimes there can be another source of hormones that are causing sexual arousal in dogs. This can happen with certain tumors that secrete hormones, as well as exposure to human medications, including topical creams, that contain hormones. 

Why does my dog try to hump a specific person?

Hints as to why a dog humps a specific person will be found in the context of who, when, and where this occurs. For example, is this a person your dog is very attached to, or someone they are unsure of? Does this tend to happen during moments of excitement and play, or during times when your dog seems fearful? Is this happening on your home turf or when you go out to a specific place?

Analyzing the context will help explain your pup’s behavior. They may be humping their favorite person out of excitement or when they are seeking attention after being separated for long periods of time. Or, they may be humping someone they see as a stranger when they don’t know how to interact with them. There may be many other permutations to explain their behavior, too, so look for context clues. 

Normal vs. excessive dog humping: when is it time to get help?

How to stop your dog from humping you

As you may have surmised by now, there is no one-size-fits-all quick fix for every over-eager humper. The best way to stop your dog from humping you is to figure out why they are doing it. In cases with a behavioral cause, a combination of behavioral modification strategies, training cues, and lots of physical and mental enrichment will be your best tools.

This may include techniques to deter the behavior, including turning away from your dog, redirecting them to a more constructive activity, and/or using cues like “leave it,” and mat training to give them instructions for what you want them to do instead. It is important not to scold your dog harshly or punish them for this behavior as this may exacerbate other symptoms related to anxiety and fear, as well as giving more attention to the behavior.

For all dogs, but especially dogs showing signs of behavioral distress — ensuring they are getting lots of physical exercise everyday, and providing added mental enrichment through food puzzles, training sessions and socialization — are also very important for their mental health. And of course, always seek help from a certified behaviorist and/or your veterinarian if you need guidance in crafting the best approach for your pup.      

Final thoughts: Why does my dog hump me?

There are many reasons why your dog may hump you, and you can use the context of these incidents to help you figure out their motivation. Be sure to consider both medical and behavioral causes and see your vet if you are concerned that there may be an underlying medical problem. 

Bottom line

• Dogs hump people for many different reasons, including underlying behavioral and medical reasons

• It is important to analyze your dog’s behavior in context to determine the likely triggers and causes for their behavior

• There are many ways to deter your dog from humping and you can work with your pup to modify this behavior

• Don’t be afraid to seek help from your vet or a certified behaviorist if you’re overwhelmed or feel like your pup has a more complicated problem 

FAQs

Why does my female dog hump me?

Female dogs hump people for the same reasons as male dogs. There can be many behavioral and/or medical reasons why this is happening so it is important to analyze their behavior in the context of what else is going on in those moments.

Why do dogs hump?

Humping, or mounting, is a normal behavior in the dog world and can have many meanings. As dogs have been domesticated, this behavior is sometimes applied to other species like humans or other pets in the home, as well as inanimate objects. 

Do dogs hump because they like you?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A dog might hump someone because they are excited to see them or they are seeking attention, but many other possibilities exist as well. Humping can be a sign of many different emotions so it is important to evaluate their behavior situationally. 

Do dogs hump their favorite person?

Some dogs will hump their favorite person because they are excited and/or seeking attention. They may also hump a person because they feel afraid or are unsure how to interact with them, so it is not a guaranteed sign of affection. 

References

• Bergman, Laurie. “Canine Mounting: An Overview.” Clinician’s Brief, January 2012, pp. 61-63. 

• Didehban, Negar, et al. “Problematic Behaviors in Companion Dogs: A Survey of Their Prevalence and Associated Factors.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior, vol. 39, September-October 2020, pp. 6-13. 

• Norris, Breanna. “Why Does My Dog Hump?” Cattle Dog Publishing, 26 June 2023.