We will never post without your permission, and we'll always keep your information private.
Psst Are you a brand, artist, shelter, or dog looking to get on Dogly?
Click Here:
In honor of Wednesday, also known as Hump Day, let's talk about dogs who hump and what it all means.
First, let's dispel the rumor that humping means a dog is trying to be dominant. Humping has nothing to do with dominance. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals (say that three times fast) explains:
“Dominance is defined as a relationship between individual animals that is established by force/aggression and submission, to determine who has priority access to multiple resources such as food, preferred resting spots, and mates (Bernstein 1981; Drews 1993).” And just to be clear, dominance never ever applied to the human-dog relationship. But that is a topic for another time.
So what IS humping? More often than not, humping in an expression of emotional arousal ("emotional" being the operative word). I often see dogs use humping as an invitation to play or be chased. Other times I see dogs who don't know what to do with all of their excitement, or if they are overstimulated by their environment, so they go to the nearest object (inanimate or not) and start humping. Think of it like when a kid gets so excited or overwhelmed that he starts to run in circles or jumps up and down.
You don't have to worry about a dog who humps unless (1) it is causing fights (not all dogs like being humped), (2) he is injuring himself or others, (3) he can't be stopped and redirected. While it may seem embarrassing to us humans, in a dog world, humping is no big deal.
So, next time your dog is harmlessly humping, just walk away and rest assured he's not trying to be dominant over the throw pillows.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this website and community is based on the research, expertise, and views of each respective author. Information here is not intended to replace your one-on-one relationship with your veterinarian, but as a sharing of information and knowledge to help arm dog parents to make more informed choices. We encourage you to make health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with your vet. In cases of distress, medical issues, or emergency, always consult your veterinarian.