Why Does My Female Dog Hump My Male Dog? 6 Vet-Approved Reasons
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Let’s be honest, no dog owner enjoys the sight of their dog humping something, whether it’s another dog, an object, or even a person!
It can also be confusing to see your female dog mounting your male dog. However, if you have ever been caught off guard by this sight, rest assured that this seemingly unusual behavior is actually quite common in dogs.
The 6 Reasons That Female Dogs Hump
Contrary to popular belief, humping is not exclusive to male dogs. Both male and female dogs can exhibit this behavior, and it’s not always associated with sexual intentions.
Here are the most common reasons that females dog hump.
1. She Is Still a Puppy
It is normal for puppies, both males and females, to exhibit humping behavior. This is often linked to their inability to control hormonal surges during this phase of their development, as they are in the early stages of exploring their new world and learning appropriate behaviors.
2. She Just Wants to Play
Dogs communicate and interact with each other in different ways, and sometimes humping is simply a form of play between them.
3. She Isn’t Spayed
Hormones can play a definite role in humping behavior in both female and male dogs. So, if your female dog is not spayed, hormonal fluctuations during her heat cycle may contribute to her tendency to hump your male dog. That said, even though spaying your dog can significantly reduce her inclination to hump, this behavior may not completely disappear. For one thing, hormones aren’t eliminated from your dog’s body right after surgery; it can take up to 3 months before the levels of sex-related hormones (like estrogen for female dogs) decrease significantly. That said, if your female dog continues to hump even long after being spayed, it may be due to lingering hormones or the behavior being reinforced and learned, as in the case of some male dogs.
4. She Is Overly Excited
Your female dog’s excitement and joy at the sight of your male dog or a new dog may manifest as humping. Indeed, many dogs react to meeting a new dog, a new person, or even a new toy by humping them, especially if they have never learned to do otherwise. However, some female dogs may excessively hump other dogs because they have not been properly socialized. As a result, they have never learned to “play well” with their peers and can become too excited. This type of behavior can increase when your dog has anxiety that interferes with other normal routines.
5. She Is Stressed
Your female dog’s humping behavior may be a natural or learned response to stress or excitement. Indeed, dogs that do not have stress management mechanisms may resort to humping as a way to release their anxiety. For instance, your female dog may hump your male dog if she experiences stress related to resource guarding, such as protecting her meal or separation anxiety.
6. She Wants Your Attention
Your female dog may engage in humping your male dog to get your attention, especially if you react in a certain way every time she does this behavior. You shouldn’t feel guilty about your reaction, as most people have a hard time ignoring a dog’s humping behavior. However, from your dog’s point of view, humping is a surefire way to get attention, good or bad!
Should You Stop Your Female Dog From Humping?
Humping in female dogs can be considered normal, but as some dogs react aggressively to being mounted, we recommend training to reduce this behavior. However, it can also be attributed to certain medical conditions, such as abnormal hormone production, skin irritation, or urinary tract infection. If your adult female dog starts mounting your male dog unexpectedly, it could signal an underlying health problem that needs attention from your veterinarian.
If the mounting is occuring due to behavioral rather than medical reasons, stop and observe your dog in the situation. If she appears calm and relaxed, play or overexcitement is probably not an issue. However, if your dog is hyperactive, panting, or appears not to be responding to her usual commands, these are some indications for anxious or overexcited behavior.
How to Reduce Your Female Dog’s Humping Behavior
If your female dog is spayed, there are no underlying health issues, and she continues to hump your male dog excessively, try the following strategies:
- Give your dog a healthy outlet so she can release her pent-up energy. The easiest way is through exercise, so make sure your pup gets enough walks, playtime, and physical and mental activities. These will enable her to release her excess energy in a healthier way than mounting everything in her path.
- Your dog may need to learn how to interact appropriately with other dogs. You can socialize your dog however, this process is a lot more successful when done as a puppy less than 14 weeks of age. When socializing an older dog, start with observing dogs at a distance where your dog remains calm. Focus on some training in the presence of other dogs, to desensitize your dog.
- Keep a close eye on your dog for signs that indicate an impending episode of humping, such as panting, whining, or pawing. Once these warning signs appear, quickly distract your dog with a toy or training command, such as “sit,” “leave it,” or “lie down.” Make sure to reward her with treats for her compliance.
- Avoid giving your dog attention as much as possible when you catch her humping your other dog. Don’t touch her, don’t say a word, don’t shout, don’t look at her: Ignore her completely until she stops herself (unless your other dog reacts aggressively).
If this behavior persists or even worsens despite your best efforts, consider seeking help from a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist. They will be able to observe your dog and give advice based on their assessment.
Final Thoughts
All dogs, male or female, can hump. This may be a behavior that has been learned through reinforcement or attention, or it’s a way for your dog to show stress, anxiety, excitement, or boredom. But sometimes humping can hide a health problem, especially if this behavior appears suddenly.
There are several ways to redirect your female dog’s attention when she begins to mount your male dog or any other dog, person, or object. Learning to read your dog’s warning signals and body language is the first step. Changing their behavior without resorting to punishment and by using positive reinforcement is the second part.
In any case, always remain patient and kind toward your dog, even if this type of behavior can be quite unpleasant to witness.
Featured Image Credit: Spik and I, Shutterstock
