Why do female dogs hump? Causes, solutions and what to know

Believe it or not, humping is a complicated form of canine expression. It can mean a dog is asserting dominance or saying out loud that it really likes something.

It can also mean a slew of other things, like anxiety, stress or hormonal issues. Usually, it isn't anything to worry about; humping is normal behaviour for all dogs.

If your female dog is humping all the time, then you should probably assess why.

Here, we answer "why do female dogs hump?", list some common scenarios and how, when and why you should manage it.

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Is it normal for female dogs to hump?

Before we start: yes, it's perfectly normal. Of course, we humans don't approve of this behaviour, so if it bothers you, use positive reinforcement training to stop it. This means using high-quality rewards and positive commands once you have told your dog ‘stop’ or ‘no’. Over time, with positive reinforcement, the behaviour will resolve.

Never yell or lose your temper at your dog just because it's following a harmless instinct like humping, as this will frighten them and can even lead to other behaviour issues.

You can tell them to stop, but really, the long-term option is to train the behaviour to stop using positive reinforcement. We recommend using a registered behaviourist for complicated issues if you need help training.

What's humping behaviour in female dogs?

We can split humping behaviour in female dogs into three categories:

Natural influences

• Hormone increases - Dogs and puppies in the "teenage phase" have lots of hormone changes flying around, which can lead to a lot of humping as they explore the world. But not all dogs will hump during this phase. 

• Pregnancy - Pregnancy brings about massive hormone changes, which can occasionally lead to excessive humping.

Playfulness or excitement

• Hyperarousal - Dogs can become hyperaroused when they meet a new thing, dog, person or anything else that gets them hyped up, even something as simple as a new piece of furniture. But you should always keep an eye on this behaviour as it can also be a sign of dominance, boredom or anxiety.

• Normal sexual behaviour - Yes, humping can still be normal sexual behaviour. Female dogs can "flirt" through humping, especially if it's combined with behaviour like pawing.

• Friendliness and playfulness - Like hyperarousal, humping can just be your dog playing. This should always be monitored as if it becomes excessive, it can become a way for your dog to assert dominance.

• Boredom - On the flip side, bored dogs do silly things, so humping can mean your dog's desperate for some entertainment.

Potential health issues or discomfort

• Skin problems - If dogs have a very itchy belly for some reason (like fleas, allergies, or a skin reaction), they can hump as a way of trying to itch this part of their body. 

• Stress and anxiety -Much like how dogs can hump when they're excited, they can also hump too much when they're anxious or stressed.

• Abnormal hormone production - Excessive humping can mean your dog's dealing with some hormone imbalances.

• Exhaustion - Female dogs can hump when they're exhausted or tired. It's their way of saying "I'm fed up!"

How to manage and stop humping behaviour

There are lots of ways to prevent humping. But never punish your dog for doing it. Negative reinforcement causes fear and stress, and it's not as effective as positive reinforcement training. Dogs are smart, but they aren't smart enough to know you're raising your voice because they're humping.

Always consult your vet or a registered behaviourist if your dog's humping is causing a problem either at home or with other dogs. It’s really important to identify and address, or to rule out underlying medical issues and complex behavioural problems that require specific management or treatment. Finding the underlying cause will help find the right way to resolve this behaviour effectively.

Assuming your female dog isn't humping due to a health issue, to stop humping, we recommend:

• Early socialisation - This helps get your dog used to appropriate social interaction and prevents them from getting too excited or dominant during social play.

• Distraction - To stop your dog humping, distract them with something else as soon as the activity starts or remove them from you. Their favourite toy, lick mats or some treats should help entice them away.

• Exercise - This can reduce stress which, in turn, lowers the chance of behaviour like humping happening. Different breeds require different amounts of exercise, so make sure you're exercising your dog correctly (including off-lead) for their specific age and breed needs.

• Positive-reinforcement training - Rewarding your dog when they're not humping can help them learn not to hump.

• Spaying or neutering - This can reduce the probability of your dog humping for sexual reasons. Always discuss this with your vet to find the right timing and make sure it’s the right decision for your pet.

• Stress management - Lower stress means less stress-relieving behaviour, like humping. Making sure that you identify and address causes of stress will help keep their environment relaxed and happy.

Knowing when to ignore or intervene is key. As long as the humping isn't excessive or causing problems with people or other dogs, then you may need to just accept it as part of your dog being a dog.

But if it's over the top or causing problems, then you should speak to your vet or a registered behaviourist and take the necessary steps to resolve it.

When to see a vet

You should see a vet if your dog:

• Becomes aggressive when you try to stop them humping

• Begins humping out of nowhere with no obvious trigger

• Humps excessively

• Licks or chews the genital area excessively

• Has redness, swelling or irritation in the genital area when not in season or due to come into season

• Sudden change in urination habits

• Has vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy or a poor appetite

You should always visit your vet if you're worried. Preventative pet care relies on having a good relationship with your vet and attending regular health check-ups, and it's why dog insurance is there for you.

For the most part, though, humping is a common, manageable behaviour that can be rectified with training.

As with anything else, it's important to prioritise your dog's health and behaviour and to ask for help or advice if you're ever concerned. 

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