Why Dogs Hump & How to Stop It
Asserting Dominance? The Science-Backed Truth About Dog Humping Behavior
By Jenna Romano
For decades, outdated "pack theory" gurus have fed guardians the exact same tired story: "Your dog is trying to assert dominance! They're trying to be the alpha!"
And while canine scientists have debunked the "alpha dominance" myth over and over again, this myth is never more pervasive than when it comes to dogs humping.
If humping were truly about “dominance”, then the dog being mounted (“humped”) would display submissive postures like rolling over or acquiescing. But by and large, mounted dogs typically respond in play or jest (6).
(Not to mention, female dogs mount just as often as males indicating this behavior isn't purely sexual or about patriarchal pack status, either.)
Why Treating Humping as “Dominance” Backfires (big time!)
When you assume your dog is trying to "dominate" you, guests, or another dog when they hump, you’re more likely to respond with punishment, scolding, or intimidation (1).
Research shows dogs trained with punishment hump their trainers up to 10x MORE frequently than dogs trained with reward-based methods.
Azhar, et al observed 120 German Shepherds and their trainers (2020). They found that dogs trained with punishment methods displayed an average of 12 humps per 4 hours, while dogs trained with reward-based methods displayed only 1.26 humps (1).
If you misdiagnose the root cause of the hump, your dog feels misunderstood, their underlying emotional or physical need goes unmet, and the humping continues (which ultimately means your need goes unmet, too). That breakdown in communication doesn't stop the hump in the future. It just creates more stress for you and your dog and can damage your bond.
So if you’re not going to use punishment to stop the hump, the next most common advice you’ll hear from every dog park know-it-all is:
"Just get them fixed! Once you neuter/spay them, they'll calm down and stop."
It sounds logical on the surface. But the data indicates spaying/neutering is not a magic fix.
While some studies like a 2022 study of 386 male dogs show humping decreased by half post-castration (8)….
…other major studies (including Zink et al., 2023) show no clear behavioral difference in mounting between intact and neutered males, and fixed females actually exhibited higher mounting tendencies than intact females (15).
Furthermore, extensive research shows that fixed dogs are often reported as less calm, more anxious, and more hyperactive due to the loss of long-term gonadal hormone exposure (7).
If humping isn't purely driven by sex hormones, nor "alpha" dominance,
what is your dog actually trying to communicate?
Well, for starters, humping is a perfectly normal, species-typical behavior. It’s a multi-faceted communication tool, but it can also be a hidden sign that a dog is suffering from a medical problem, anxiety, or overstimulation.
In the YouTube video and podcast episode below, I break down AAALLLL the scientific literature behind dog humping.
You’ll Learn:
Reasons why dogs hump (according to science)
What to do in the moment to safely stop your dog humping you, another dog, guests, or furniture without getting trapped in a "Stop-Sit-Treat-Hump-Stop-Sit-Treat-Hump Loop."
How to prevent humping in the future with the step-by-step training plan
Real-Life Case Study analyzing dog-on-dog play dynamics in which humping occurs so you know exactly when to step in.
What hidden medical conditions could be causing your dog to hump as a way to relieve pain or discomfort
Why humping is often a secret sign of anxiety or stress.
The Real Reason Your Dog Humps You (It’s NOT What You Think!)
🎙️ Or listen on the Get a Calm Dog Podcast:
"Dog Humping: What it Actually Means when a Dog Humps (science explained)" on Spotify, Apple, & anywhere you get your podcasts.
📘 Plus! Download the FREE Companion eBook
The Embarrassed Dog Owner’s Science-Backed Guide to Understand Dog Humping, Decode Body Language, & Train the Hump Away Without Punishment
Inside the eBook, you’ll get:
“Stop the Hump” Dog Training Protocol Cheat Sheet: Keep this at-a-glance instructions handy for when you need to interrupt humping in the moment and prevent it in the future.
Vet Conversation Checklist: Exact script with questions to ask your vet to rule out UTIs, skin allergies, joint pain, or other medical problems before starting training.
Play vs. Stress Signal Guide: Clear body language cues to decipher the emotions behind your dog’s humping
Friendly play vs.
Attention-seeking behavior vs.
When it's time to step in
[All citations for this blog, eBook, YouTube video, & podcast episode can be found here.]
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