04/02/2025
Why does my dog hump? 🤔
Mounting and hu***ng is a normal behaviour for both male and female dogs, and despite popular belief, it’s not always sexually motivated. Some of the most common causes include: sexual, play, excitement, stress, and medical problems.
Is there a way to stop my dog hu***ng? 🙈
Never punish your dog for hu***ng – it’s a normal and natural behaviour for them, so they won’t understand why you’re telling them off. If it doesn’t happen often and doesn’t bother you, it may not need addressing. However, if it’s happening regularly, or is becoming a problem, here are our tips:
- Socialising your dog with others from a young age will help teach them how to play and interact appropriately
- Neutering your dog can help if their hu***ng is hormone related – this usually has more of an effect on males than females
- Ensure your dog gets enough exercise to get rid of any excess energy
- If your dog humps to relieve stress, remove the stress from their life. If your dog only humps a certain toy, remove the toy
- If your dog humps to get you, or other dogs to play, it’s important to teach them that the fun stops when they start to hump. When they start to mount, distract them with a treat, ask them to sit, and give them the treat.
Should I contact my vet? 👩⚕️
Contact your vet for advice if your dog is excessively mounting and hu***ng, or becomes aggressive when you try to stop them. They will check your dog for health problems, and discuss the best next steps to reduce the behaviour. It’s likely your vet will recommend that your dog is seen by an accredited behaviourist.
See the full guide: https://pdsa.me/XMM1
[Visual description: A small, shaggy white dog stands on an ornate rug whilst hu***ng a brown stuffed bear toy.]