Why Do Female Dogs Hump Things?

Most pet parents don't seem surprised when their male dog humps another dog, a pillow or a stranger's leg, but you may wonder why female dogs hump things? Especially female dogs who were spayed as puppies?

Harmless mounting here and there by males and females is normal with all dog breeds, but it's important to know when humping behavior might need to be addressed.

What Does Normal Behavior Look Like?

Whether you call it humping, mounting or thrusting, the behavior is natural in male and female dogs. For some dogs, it is a response to arousal. For others, it can just be a way to exert dominance and show that they're the top dog in the house.

Humping other pets, people or even the living room couch once or twice a day is not considered excessive. If even the occasional occurrence is bothersome to you or your family members, there are a few things you can do to limit or eliminate this quirky behavior.

Ways to Prevent Mounting

Pet parents often notice mounting behavior starting about the time a female dog enters her first heat. Many veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering your dog before he or she reaches that point to prevent unwanted behaviors. Neutering also prevents a surprise litter of puppies and reduces your pet's risk of testicular or mammary cancer. However, even dogs who are spayed or neutered might still exhibit some humping behavior from time to time.

The ASPCA recommends teaching the "leave it" command early for all dogs to leave unwanted objects alone. Once your dog knows this command, you can signal to her that she should step away from furniture, other dogs or guests. If you see your dog preparing to mount an object (by rubbing, licking or whining), you can say "leave it" and distract your four-legged friend with a toy or a more desirable activity. Although it may take some time to train your dog to do this, it may be the easiest way to stop unwanted humping.

When to Be Concerned About Dog Humping

Although dog humping is a normal behavior, there are times it can be sign of other underlying issues. Be careful to observe other behaviors that lead up to or accompany the humping to determine if you have reason to be concerned.

• Is the humping a sign of boredom? If your dog is lying around or pacing and then seems to start humping things, maybe she is just bored and need more playtime with you.
• Could your dog be trying to relieve an itch? Humping and excessive genital licking may be a sign that your dog has a problem, such as skin allergies or a urinary tract infection. If you notice your dog licking her backside, urinating frequently, having trouble urinating or showing signs of dehydration along with the humping, you may want to schedule a visit to the vet, says the ASPCA.
• Is your dog stressed? The ASPCA notes that male and female dogs may use humping as a way to relieve stress. Is there a new pet or new baby in the home, or did you recently change your work schedule? Sometimes little changes in a dog's routine can lead to her feeling stressed, and every dog responds to stress differently. Try to figure out what could be causing your dog to be uneasy, and do what you can to familiarize your pup with the new routine. If the stress-humping goes on for too long, it could become a very difficult habit to break and you may need to consider professional obedience training.

• Has the behavior just become a bad habit? When you have ruled out all other causes and just can't get over the "hump," it may be time to get your dog into obedience training. You may need to try a new approach like group socialization training, one-on-one training with a pro, or even implementing time-outs. If you and your vet have ruled out medical causes for the humping, take your vet's advice on the best way to move forward.

Why do female dogs hump things? For many reasons! Armed with a few answers, hopefully you and your canine friend can have less humping and more happiness.