Should you let dogs hump dominance?

Humping is a very common behavior. You are far from alone in having a hump-loving dog. And, despite appearances, it’s not necessarily sexually motivated. Often, humping has nothing to do with sex. Very often, humping is an attempt at dominance. This can apply whether it’s a human or another dog on the receiving end. Brief moments of humping between dogs can be a normal part of play. But some dogs don’t like to be mounted. So in the interest of avoiding any potential conflict, it’s worth doing some work to prevent even this mild form of mounting. While you might want to laugh the first time you see your dog hump, in the longer term, it’s best to step in and redirect the behavior immediately. Since humping is often about domination, effective training is important because it establishes your authority, letting your dog know you’re in charge. The best way to treat humping is to redirect. This lets the dog know that the behavior is not wanted, and allows for positive reinforcement if they successfully perform another command. When the humping starts, ask the dog to sit, lie down, or stay, and reward them when they do.

Never punish your dog for humping – it’s a normal and natural behaviour for them, so they won’t understand why you’re telling them off. If it doesn’t happen often and doesn’t bother you, it may not need addressing. However, if it’s happening regularly, or becoming a problem, you might need to take action. Socialise from a young age – socialising your dog with others from a young age will help teach them how to play and interact appropriately. Neutering – neutering your dog can help if their humping is hormone related – this usually has more of an effect on males than females. Distraction – if your dog humps to get you, or other dogs to play, it’s important to teach them that the fun stops when they start to hump. When they start to mount, distract them with a treat, ask them to sit, and give them the treat.