Why Do Dogs Hump and 10 Ways To Stop It

• Excitement: Sometimes, dogs hump on you because they feel excited or want to show dominance. It is one of the ways for them to burn off energy and relieve stress.
• Stress: A stressed dog is likely to hump as a way to self-soothe. It is their way of responding to anxiety or stress that may be induced due to various factors.
• Playfulness: Humping can also be a playful behavior between two dogs until it does not upset one of the dogs. They tend to hump each other which is normal dog behavior.
• Sexual/Hormonal: Hormones and sexual attraction is one of the reasons why a dog that is not spayed or neutered may hump. This is a natural behavior in dogs but may not stop completely even after spaying as it may be triggered due to other reasons as well.

Addressing humping behavior in dogs requires understanding its various triggers and motivations. Given the range of reasons behind this behavior, finding effective solutions may involve some experimentation, which might help stop dog humping.

Some of the steps that you can follow to stop dog humping are as follows:

Neutering or spaying the dog can be an effective step to minimize this dog behavior. This process removes the dogs' reproductive organs and reduces their hormone level.

It can help decrease testosterone levels in males and hormonal fluctuations related to heat cycles in female.

You can distract a humping dog by offering a toy or treats for dogs. You can also engage them in playful activities and give them snacks to stop their humping behavior. 

With consistent practice, this step can help to minimize the frequency of humping.

Positive reinforcement can be beneficial as it involves rewarding your dog for outcomes like not humping. Doing this can help them associate good behavior with positive outcomes and encourage them to repeat it. 

When you practice this, ensure that the environment has no distractions and you track the training progress. Ensuring consistency and following the mentioned steps can help your dog stop humping.

Redirecting your dog’s attention by using toys such as puzzles or squeaky tor and food can also be effective. Interrupting your dogs' humping action by persuading them into something else can distract them from this behavior.

It is very important to set boundaries for your dog from a very young age. This helps dogs understand what behavior is acceptable and what is not.

Using commands and cues such as ‘no’ or ‘off’ to signal disapproval when they hump. You can also reward and praise their positive behavior when they obey your commands. 

Consistently practicing this rule with patience can help your dog respect boundaries and reduce humping behavior.

Using deterrent sprays can interrupt the dogs’ urge to hump as it emits scents that dogs find unpleasant. The devices also emit a noise or vibration that is triggered by their behavior. 

Using these sprays and devices may stop their humping behavior as they tend to associate unpleasant sounds and smells. Make sure that you use products that are safe for pets.

Addressing the behavior while it is happening can also be one way to stop your dog from humping. When you see your dog in action, call them out in the same spot and same time. 

Make sure you use a firm but not angry voice that gets their attention without frightening them. Once you have their attention and humping stops, reward them with treats or toys so they don’t do it in the future.

One of the reasons that your dog may hump is due to insufficient rest or relaxation. A pet owner needs to ensure that their dog gets enough sleep and rest without interruption.

You can introduce a sleep schedule for them so that they know it is their time to relax. Engaging them in activities such as belly rubs or massages can also help your dog.

Stress and anxiety in dogs can also make your dog dump a lot as it might be their way of self-soothing. You can help them by trying to figure out the factors that are making them anxious and stressed. 

You can also remove those factors or follow other alternatives once you know what is bothering them.

With consistency and patience, it is possible to stop your dog’s humping habit. However, it is not the same case for all dogs. 

If your dog is humping even after following all the steps, it might be the best choice to seek professional help. Taking your dog to a professional dog trainer or behaviorist can teach them about good behavior and help to stop humping. 

They may also suggest exercises, techniques, or routine changes that can help to stop their humping behavior.