Dog Humping Pillow: Why They Do It and How To Stop It

Whether neutered, spayed, or intact, chances are that you have seen a dog humping a pillow. Some dogs will hump on almost everything, even unsuspecting dogs in the park but pillows or a squishy toy are a common target. Needless to say, the behavior can be awkward and embarrassing when you have guests over.

Dogs will hump furniture, toys, pillows, their beds, and anything within reach like they can’t get enough of it. When your pup unwelcomingly humps on your pillow, you can safely remove their odor or stain by applying a stain and odor eliminator.

In this article, we will explain why your pup humps and how to stop it. Try to snip this behavior during puppyhood because it’s all cute until you have an adult dog humping you; endlessly

But if your dog is humping pillows excessively, something called inappropriate mounting, then it’s best to understand why. So let’s delve into the most common reasons.

1. Excitement

Dogs find it nearly impossible to keep their excitement a secret, so they’ll hump pillows and their hooman, often when there is change in their environment. So you may see this more often when you have guests over. Over-excitement can also cause pillow humping, which isn’t a good sign since it could mean they are under stimulated and bored. 

2. Stress & Lack of Socialization

Dogs being social animals, are susceptible to stress once boredom, frustration, and anxiety kick in. Dogs can also sense when their owners are stressed and react and may choose humping as a means of self soothing, much like licking their paws.

If mounting behavior spikes when there are new people or dogs around, it can indicate a lack of socialization in early puppyhood. Socialization teaches dogs vital social skills and without it, dogs easily become stressed and anxious when meeting new people. They may also fall back on inappropriate behaviors, such as humping pillows.

3. Sex Hormones 

Mounting can be for sexual reasons, especially for puppies around six months who have matured sexually. As sex hormones set in, so may sexual frustration, which often causes inappropriate mounting (yes, unfortunately this is masturbating). Female dogs can also show mounting behavior when they start puberty or when they sense another female on heat.

Of course, males can sense a female on heat due to the pheromones in the urine, so they’ll attempt to mount them. But in cases where spayed female dogs are mounting, there could be a problem such as a bit of ovary being left behind (called ovarian remnant syndrome) and still releasing hormones. In rare cases, some kinds of tumors may also be to blame.

If intact dogs don’t have a fertile female around, the urge to mate can build, causing them to hump or mount objects like pillows. This is a self  rewarding behavior, so once it starts it can be difficult to stop. It’s one reason that neutering a dog as early as your vet deems healthy is best. 

You can read more about the female dog’s heat cycle in our article on clear liquid leaking from female dogs and if a dog can get pregnant when not in heat.

4. Exerting Dominance or Initiating Play

Dogs sometimes have a strong sense of hierarchy and mounting is a way they assert dominance.  Dominant dogs can express their status by mounting other dogs, however this is actually  quite rare. And mounting a pillow is unlikely to be a display of dominance. 

Of course, young dogs often do it to one another during play time. It’s extremely common for puppies to simply outgrow this. 

5. Seeking Attention

Pups love attention and will do anything that gets your eyes on them. If you reward your dog’s pillow humping with attention and make a fuss, they may do it more.

6. Health Issues

Dogs can pillow hump incessantly due to serious health problems to relieve itching or pain. Some things to have checked out it if your dog suddenly start humping pillows or other objects includes:

• UTIs and Urinary Incontinence

Health problems like urinary tract infections cause itchiness and pain, increasing humping. These infections attack your dog’s urinary tract and can lead to kidney cancer and chronic illness if untreated.

Another issue to look out for are signs of incontinence, such as a dog leaking urine while resting.

• Skin Issues or Infections

Skin inflammation around the genitals can cause pillow humping for relief. They’ll also chew and lick at the area to cope with the discomfort.

• Prostate Issues 

Male dogs suffering from prostate problems can turn to hump the pillow to ease discomfort. Another condition affecting males is priapism (persistent erection) which is painful, causing increased humping to deal with the pain.

Other medical issues that can exacerbate pillow humping include:

• A condition called paraphimosis, when the penis can’t retract into the sheath
• Injuries to the genitals areas, including insect bites

7. Compulsive Disorders

CCD (Canine Compulsive Disorder) occurs when a behavior is done repetitively, even affecting their normal routine and everyday life. Dogs can start doing almost anything obsessively or repetitively, including humping pillows. This is most common in anxious dogs or dogs who don’t get enough positive ways to channel their energy.

If not dealt with in its early stages, your dog might get used to humping, which can be annoying. Since they do not k

Should I Allow My Dog To Hump a Pillow?

You should not allow your dog to hump a pillow because certain situations make the behavior inappropriate. Humping is a normal behavior but shouldn’t be encouraged since dog owners wouldn’t want to deal with it in their dog’s adulthood.

To break the humping cycle, divert their attention by giving them play toys. Get them involved in long walks, and they will be too tired to even think of it. Remove favorite objects like pillows or soft toys, and give your dog a puzzle toy like a snuffle mat instead to occupy their minds.

When is Humping A Problem?

Every dog humps more than once in their lifetime since humping or mounting is a normal canine behavior. It only becomes a problem when it’s done incessantly, or your dog gets aggressive when you try to stop them.

Excessive humping can also mean your dog is anxious or has underlying health issues and needs to see a vet. If they keep humping such that It comes in the way of their routine, consider a vet visit for advice.

Why is My Dog Humping Suddenly?

Sudden humping is most commonly a sign of excitement. You may be back from a long day away from home, and your dog is really excited to see you, so they hump you. Sedentary dogs also hump to expel excess energy. The onset of puberty in a young dog may also cause them to hump suddenly.

Your pooch can also hump suddenly if an infection like a UTI or a skin issue is causing discomfort. Other clinical signs like bloody discharge, frequent urination, or restlessness will confirm whether the humping is health-related. 

Humping due to CCD is regular and doesn’t stop, so it’s not sudden. Dogs with CCD can also hyper-focus on shadows and reflections or move in circles too much.

Does Neutering/Spaying Stop Dog Humping?

Spaying or neutering does not always entirely stop your canine friend from humping once the behavior is a habit. Spaying and neutering decrease sex drive but doesn’t eliminate other reasons for humping, like playfulness, excitement, or medical issues. So some dogs may continue with the behavior. However, in most cases, neutering will reduce it.

How To Stop Dog Humping

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Humping or mounting is a normal behavior in dogs. Contrary to what many dog parents used to think, it is not always sex motivated. They do it when they are excited, playful, or for dominance in social interaction. Humping shouldn’t be encouraged because dealing with an adult humper is too much.

Meet Your Experts

Tamsin De La Harpe

Author

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.