Understanding Why Dogs Mount Humans: Behavior Explained
Dogs are beloved companions with complex behaviors that can sometimes confuse or even embarrass their human families. One such behavior is mounting or humping. Despite how it may appear,
dogs are not sexually attracted to humans. Instead, this behavior is multifactorial and not necessarily sexual in nature. Let’s delve into the science and reasoning behind this natural canine behavior.
Common Reasons Dogs Mount Humans
- Play and Excitement: Dogs often hump during play as a form of expression. Puppies as young as 3–6 weeks old may mount their littermates as a sign of liveliness and energy.
- Attention-Seeking: Dogs quickly learn that humping grabs human attention. Whether reactions are laughter or reprimand, both can unintentionally reinforce the behavior.
- Stress or Anxiety: When overwhelmed or emotionally distressed, dogs may use mounting as a coping mechanism.
- Displacement Behavior: In confusing or overwhelming social situations, a dog may hump to displace energy.
- Dominance (rarely): In some cases, a dog might use mounting to assert control, but dominance is less common than previously believed.
- Medical Issues: Excessive mounting might signal underlying problems such as urinary tract infections, prostate issues, skin allergies, or hormonal imbalances.
Sexually Motivated Behavior in Dogs
Sexually driven mounting is most common in
intact (not neutered) male dogs but can also occur in females. Dogs may show this behavior during mating-related interactions or as solo masturbation. However, this differs significantly from human sexual attraction. Importantly, dogs do not have social inhibitions or the same concepts of appropriateness as humans.
Mounting Behavior Towards Humans
When dogs mount people, it is
not an expression of sexual attraction. Often, dogs are using people as convenient outlets for energy, stress, or excitement. Hormonal scent changes in humans, such as those during menstruation, may increase a dog’s curiosity, but there is
no scientific evidence that human pheromones trigger true sexual attraction in dogs.
When to Be Concerned About Mounting
While occasional mounting is natural, it becomes problematic when:
- It occurs excessively or compulsively
- The dog appears distressed or obsessed with the behavior
- There are physical symptoms like rashes or frequent urination
- It interferes with daily life or causes distress to owners and guests
In such cases, consult your veterinarian or a certified veterinary behaviorist to explore medical and behavioral interventions.
Training and Management Strategies
Dog owners can manage and reduce unwanted humping by:
- Redirecting: Use toys, tricks, or play to shift the dog's focus immediately.
- Using Cues: Consistent training with commands like “leave it” or “sit” can interrupt the behavior.
- Time-Outs: Calmly remove the dog from the environment for a short period if the behavior persists.
- Avoiding Reinforcement: Do not laugh, shout, or overreact, as this may inadvertently reward the behavior.
Medical Check-Ups
If mounting becomes frequent or is accompanied by other symptoms, your vet may look for:
- Urinary or reproductive tract infections
- Prostate disease
- Hormonal imbalances
- Allergic skin reactions
The Emotional Bond Between Dogs and Humans
Dogs have evolved to form emotional bonds with humans that resemble parent-child attachments. Both dogs and humans release
oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’) during positive interactions.
- Dogs can read human facial expressions and body language.
- They react to emotional cues and adjust their behavior accordingly.
- The strength of the dog-human bond is influenced by time spent together and positive socialization.
Conclusion
Dogs do not mount humans out of sexual attraction. This behavior is better understood as a mix of instinct, habit, emotional state, and learned behavior. With proper understanding, training, and where necessary, veterinary consultation, owners can manage and reduce this confusing but natural canine behavior.
