Understanding Humping Behaviour in Dogs: It's Not Always About Sex

Humping, or mounting, is one of those dog behaviours that tends to grab attention, and often, concern.

The first assumption many people make is that it’s sexually motivated, especially when the dog doing it is male. But this interpretation quickly becomes confusing when female dogs display the same behaviour. If it’s not about sex, then what’s really going on?

Humping Isn’t Just a Sexual Behaviour

While humping can be sexually driven, particularly in entire males, it’s actually a much more complex behaviour than that.

Dogs hump for a variety of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with reproduction or hormones.

Here are some common reasons dogs hump:

Play and excitement:

In high-arousal play, dogs can become overstimulated. Humping is often a way for them to release that extra energy or excitement.

Stress or anxiety:

Humping can be a displacement behaviour, a way for dogs to cope with uncertainty, tension, or feeling overwhelmed.

Social behaviour:

Some dogs use humping as a form of communication or social negotiation. It’s not always dominance (a widely misunderstood concept), but rather a way to express or manage social interactions.

Learned habit:

If humping consistently gets attention, whether positive or negative, it can become a learned behaviour over time.

Medical reasons:

In some cases, frequent humping may be linked to urinary tract infections, skin irritation, or other medical issues that should be ruled out by a vet.

When Neutering Is Suggested, Why Can That Be a Problem?

A scenario I often see involves a dog that humps other dogs in group settings, perhaps at daycare or group walks. Guardians are then advised that neutering should be considered before the dog can return.

This is a big red flag when the behaviour only occurs in that specific environment. It suggests the humping is likely situational, linked to arousal, stress, or the social dynamic, rather than to hormones.

Unfortunately, many dogs are neutered based on the assumption that this will “fix” the behaviour. But when the motivation isn’t sexual, neutering can not only fail to help, it can also have lifelong negative impacts on a dog’s mental and physical well-being.

The Hidden Risks of Neutering for Behavioural Reasons

Neutering significantly alters hormone levels, which can affect mood, confidence, and emotional resilience. For some dogs, especially those already sensitive or anxious, early or unnecessary neutering can lead to:

Increased fear or anxiety

Lowered confidence in social situations

Reduced ability to cope with stress

Potential long-term health impacts (joint issues, certain cancers, etc.)

We also have to consider the potential behavioural fallout some dogs will experience from the vet visit and surgery alone.

When we remove hormones that play a role in emotional regulation and physical development, we can risk creating more problems than we solve.

Observation Before Action

Humping is a behaviour that needs to be observed, understood, and contextualised before any decisions are made. Ask yourself:

When does it happen?

With which dogs or people?

What’s happening right before and after?

Does it occur in multiple environments, or just one?

These observations give crucial clues about why the behaviour is happening and how to address it appropriately.

The Takeaway

Humping doesn’t automatically mean your dog is being “dominant” or “sexual.” It’s often just a sign of emotion, excitement, stress, confusion, or even joy.

Jumping straight to neutering as a solution, without understanding the cause, can have lifelong consequences for your dog’s well-being.

So let’s take a step back, watch, listen, and learn from our dogs before we give a label or "fix" something that isn't broken and most importantly, speak to a reputable Behaviourist who can support you and liaise with your vet if needed.