Why is my dog humping?

Dogs hump because they’re either excited, anxious, or are feeling playful. This action isn’t necessarily sexual. There are a lot of stimuli that trigger dogs to hump, even in public. Female dogs do this, too, especially when there’s too much happening in the environment that provokes them.

Is non-sexual humping in dogs a cause for alarm?

In some cases, yes, it should be concerning, primarily if your dog’s humping is related to a medical issue.

There are instances where dogs hump because they’re experiencing discomfort in their body. These medical issues may include:

• Arthritis.
• Skin irritation.
• Prostate issues.
• Urinary tract infection.
• Neurological problems, e.g., seizures.

This behavior can also be caused by old age. 

Dogs experiencing dementia and other dysfunctions in their cognitive abilities tend to have altered behavior. This can range from forgetting their house training down to humping even without any stimuli.

When you notice that your dog is excessively humping, it’s best to rule out any possibility of them having a medical problem. Once you’ve ruled this out after visiting the vet, the cause may be non-urgent, which we’ll discuss in this article.

Why do dogs hump in public?

Excitement and playfulness

One of the common things dogs do when they want to play is jump around and run frantically to invite you or other dogs to play with them.

This physical manifestation of excitement can sometimes show as humping, which is why some dogs tend to hump the air when they’re at the park.

It seems silly initially, but it may just be a way for your pup to show they’re thrilled!

Boredom

As a dog owner, you are too familiar with “dog zoomies.”

This usually happens when our pup has excess energy and wants to spend it. If they don’t get their needed exercise for the day, they might frequently hump whenever they want to.

If you have a working dog breed or a canine predisposed to have lots of energy, they will often feel bored compared to lap dogs. Examples of these breeds include:

• Labrador.
• Great Dane.
• Dobermann.
• Siberian Husky.
• Alaskan Malamute.

Stress and anxiety

Dogs also self-soothe when they feel stressed or anxious. This can be shown in several ways:

• Whining.
• Vocalizing.
• Excessively licking.

Aside from what’s listed above, dogs can also try to soothe their stress by humping, especially if the behavior is repetitive. 

Your furry friend may also be using their humping as a way to get attention and comfort from you. 

It could be that every time they hump, they learn that you’ll always give them the attention they crave. Which, consequently, will become a repetitive behavior when they want your presence for comfort.