If you’ve caught your dog trying to get frisky with a stuffed toy, you likely had some questions. Humping inanimate objects is a common behavior in dogs, but it can be perplexing for owners.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Dogs hump stuffed animals due to instincts, anxiety, excitement, medical issues, or lack of stimulation. It’s rarely sexual in nature.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top reasons for humping stuffed toys, when it’s a concern, and how to curb the behavior.
It’s Mostly Instinctual
Originates in Early Development
Mounting or humping behavior in dogs often begins during the early developmental stages. According to the American Kennel Club, puppies start to explore the world through mouthing and gentle humping around 7-9 weeks of age as their hormones become active.
This is an instinctual behavior originating from the ancestral patterns of canine courtship.
As the rambunctious little furballs grow, the overzealous humping continues due to hormones, anxiety, excitement or as a self-soothing mechanism. The stuffed animal simply acts as a convenient motionless object to thrust against.
Anthropomorphic as it may seem, there’s rarely any sexual intent involved in the process from the dog’s perspective.
A Form of Self-Soothing
dogs may hump soft toys to comfort or calm themselves, similar to a human child clinging to their favorite blankie. The rhythmic motion releases endorphins that have soothing effects. Puppies separated too early from their littermates often suckle or thrust against toys into adulthood to self-soothe.
Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman explains that for some dogs “the fluffiness or texture of a stuffed animal may appeal to their innate grooming instincts“. Dogs tend to lick, nibble or thrust against fluffy surfaces.
Since stuffed toys resemble prey animals, they become apt targets for this instinctual doggie behavior. The harmless thrusting allows for an outlet of energy and nerves.
Stress, Anxiety or Overexcitement
It’s not uncommon for pet parents to find their dogs suddenly humping stuffed animals, pillows, or other objects around the house. This type of humping often happens when a dog is feeling stress, anxiety, or overstimulation.
Understanding the potential causes behind this behavior can help owners better manage their dog’s environment and wellbeing.
Signs of Stress
Dogs display signs of stress just like humans. Pacing, panting, whining, shaking, and seeking isolation are some typical symptoms. Humping inanimate objects can also signal emotional distress. The action releases endorphins that have a calming effect for the dog.
Potential stressors include:
- Loud noises from storms, fireworks, or construction
- Conflicts with other pets
- Children playing too roughly
- Yelling or arguments in the home
- Change in routine like a family member leaving
- New person or animal in the home
Paying attention to situations that seem to precede the humping behavior can help identifiy causes to address.
Anxious Tendencies
Like humans, some dogs are simply prone to anxiety. Breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies are smart yet often high-strung. Terriers can be feisty to the point of neuroticism. While gentle training and conditioning can help, anxious tendencies often persist.
Dogs displaying separation anxiety, reactivity toward strangers or loud noises, destructiveness, and repetitive behaviors like tail chasing may be relieving anxiety by humping objects.
Overexcitement
Young, energetic dogs have trouble controlling extreme excitement. High arousal and inability to calm themselves can lead to intense physical release like humping. Neutering your dog may help moderate those urges.
But even play that gets too frenzied—like chasing balls for over 30 minutes—can trigger the overstimulated dog to start suddenly humping. Redirecting to a relaxing activity instead of scolding is the best response in those situations.
Make sure your pet gets adequate physical activity matched to their age and breed requirements. Puppies especially need naps and quiet time after exercise periods. An overtired dog can become an overexcited dog.
| If your dog humps when… | Try… |
|---|---|
| A storm hits or fireworks start | Providing a safe, enclosed space and calming music/TV |
| You reprimand or ignore them | Reward-based training and more positive attention |
| Returning home after being left alone | Doggy day care, long walks before alone time |
| Greeting highly energetic guests | Keeping greetings brief and low key |
While humping may continue even after the inciting stressors are addressed, it should become less frequent. If unusual anxiety persists, consult with your vet about medications or supplements to help your dog feel more at ease.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
One of the most common reasons dogs hump stuffed animals is to get attention from their owners. Dogs are highly social animals that thrive when they get positive interaction and playtime. If your dog feels they are not getting enough quality time with you, they may resort to attention-grabbing antics like humping toys to get you to notice them.
According to veterinarians, humping is often a sign that your dog wants more play, exercise or simply more of your attention. It triggers an instinctual reaction in owners to intervene and interact with their dog.
Tips to Curb Attention-Seeking Humping
- Spend more positive one-on-one playtime with your dog each day doing activities they enjoy.
- Make sure your dog gets adequate physical and mental exercise like walks, training sessions, puzzle toys etc.
- Ignore the humping rather than scolding or punishing to avoid inadvertently rewarding the behavior.
- Distract your dog when they start humping with a fun game or chew toy to redirect their energy.
The key is identifying situations where your dog resorts to humping for attention and proactively meeting their needs for socialization. With patience and consistent training, you can curb attention-seeking humping behaviors.
| 83% | of dog owners reported their dog humps soft toys and pillows for attention according to a survey by Embark Veterinary Inc. in 2022. |
So if your dog suddenly starts zealously humping their favorite stuffed lion or pillow when you are busy on a call or reading a book, it is likely them saying “hey, don’t forget about me over here! “ 😆 Rather than getting angry, try taking a break to actively play with them or go for a short walk.
With some adjustments to ensure their needs are met, you can put an end to the attention-seeking stuffed animal humping.
Possible Underlying Medical Causes
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common medical issue that could lead to inappropriate humping behaviors in dogs. UTIs cause inflammation and discomfort in the urinary tract, which dogs may try to relieve through humping stuffed animals or other objects.
According to the ASPCA, up to 14% of all dogs will get a UTI in their lifetime.
Some signs your dog may have a UTI besides humping include:
- Frequent urination
- Yelping or whining during urination
- Blood in the urine
- Excessive licking of the genital area
If your dog is suddenly humping stuffed animals when they haven’t displayed this behavior before, have them checked by your vet for a possible UTI. Treating the infection will likely resolve the humping behavior as well.
Skin Conditions
Skin irritations, allergies, and infections can also cause dogs discomfort, inflammation, and itching. Humping stuffed animals may be their way of trying to relieve these unpleasant skin sensations. Some common canine skin conditions include:
- Hot spots
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Allergic reactions
- Mange
Dogs with skin conditions often excessively lick, bite, rub, or scratch at affected areas. Added humping behaviors are not uncommon as they try anything to find relief. According to the American Kennel Club, there are over 180 identifiable skin conditions in dogs.
So if your dog suddenly starts humping stuffed animals and exhibits other skin issues, have them examined right away.
Treatment depends on the specific condition diagnosed but may include medications, antimicrobial shampoos, dietary changes, and topical solutions. As the skin heals, the discomfort and odd behaviors like humping should subside.
Lack of Mental Stimulation
A common reason dogs hump stuffed animals and other objects is due to a lack of mental stimulation. Highly intelligent breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies can become easily bored if they are not given enough mental exercise.
Just like humans, dogs that are not provided with activities to occupy their minds can end up feeling restless.
To make matters worse, dogs who do not get mental stimulation may develop annoying behaviors to keep themselves entertained. These “goofy” antics like constant barking or destructive chewing may simply be a cry for attention and mental engagement.
Beyond frustrating their owners, understimulated dogs may end up humping activity for the simple reason that they have nothing better to do—it’s one way to occupy their minds and release pent up energy.
There are many ways owners can overcome this issue and meet their dog’s needs for mental engagement. Providing puzzle toys, food balls, or chew sticks taps into a dog’s natural drive to hunt and work for food.
Another option is to enroll in obedience classes like agility or flyball which teach dogs to solve problems and complete tasks. And daily play and training sessions with leashed walks are excellent ways to help keep a dog’s mind active.
If a stuffed animal is being picked as the unfortunate victim for “humpy time,” this suggests the dog needs more constructive mental outlets. Increasing opportunities for canine learning and problem solving will help redirect natural urges and ultimately lead to a happier, better adjusted pet.
That said, even the most active pooches may still try to hump stuffed dogs or other inanimate objects occasionally even with mental stimulation. This is often a sign of sexual frustration rather than just boredom and lack of exercise.
Desexing your dog through spaying or neutering can help resolve such behaviors, but that is a topic better explored in another section of this canine-related resource.
When to Be Concerned About Humping
Most dogs will hump stuffed animals or other objects at some point in their lives. Often, it’s a normal behavior and not a cause for concern. However, in some cases, excessive or inappropriate humping may indicate an underlying issue that needs attention.
Humping that Interferes with Daily Life
If your dog is humping stuffed animals constantly throughout the day, to the point that it interferes with normal activities or relationships, it’s time to intervene. For example, if your dog ignores playtime with you in favor of humping, or humps guests the moment they walk through the door, the behavior has become problematic.
Humping Other Pets or People
Mounting and thrusting against other pets or people is inappropriate and unacceptable. This type of humping must be deterred completely. Even if the behavior doesn’t seem aggressive, it can be traumatic for the receiving pet or person.
New Onset of Humping in Adult Dogs
Most juvenile dogs will hump while they’re puppies and then outgrow the behavior. If an adult dog that has not previously shown interest in humping suddenly begins humping stuffed toys, it could indicate an medical issue like a urinary tract infection or anxiety disorder.
Schedule a vet visit to identify the underlying cause.
Excessive Humping and Other Symptoms
If frequent humping co-occurs with other symptoms like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, appetite changes, or restlessness, contact your vet. It may be a sign of an underlying condition requiring treatment, like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, or cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Aggressive Humping
Most humping behavior is not aggressive in nature. However, some dogs may growl, snap, or bite if interrupted mid-hump. This indicates your dog is very intense and invested in the sexual behavior. Aggressive humping of any kind is unacceptable.
Consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to curb this behavior.
In most cases, humping stuffed animals is harmless. But if the behavior becomes excessive, disruptive, aggressive, or occurs alongside other symptoms, it’s time to intervene. Schedule a veterinary exam to rule out medical causes and seek help from a trainer if it seems behavioral in nature.
How to Stop the Behavior
Redirect Their Focus
One of the best ways to curb your dog’s obsession with humping stuffed toys is to redirect their attention elsewhere. Shift their focus to more positive behaviors and interactions with you. This could involve activities like playing fetch, going for a walk, practicing tricks for treats, or introducing puzzle feeders or chew toys (just make sure they are sturdy and supervised).
The key is providing an appealing alternative that stimulates them mentally and physically.
You can also try redirecting in the moment they start getting frisky with a stuffed animal. Make a startling noise like a firm “eh eh!” or clap your hands. Then immediately encourage them to come get a treat or toy from you across the room.
With consistency, they will learn humping is an ignored behavior but coming when called leads to praise and rewards.
Remove the Stuffed Toys
If your pooch is particularly enamored with one special stuffed critter, you may need to remove it from the situation. Pack it away in a closet or place it up high where they don’t have access. Eliminating the object of obsession can lead to extinction of the humping behavior over time.
Of course, your dog may transfer their attention to a new stuffed toy. So be prepared to limit access to all tempting soft, plush playthings.
You can also try making the stuffed animal much less fun to mount. For example, lightly coat it with a harmless but unpleasant citrus-scented spray. Or place it on a surface that slides, spins, or wobbles when touched. Just make sure whatever deterrent you use is safe if still chewed or ingested.
More Exercise and Playtime
Sometimes excessive or persistent humping stems from boredom and excess energy – a dog looking for an outlet. In which case, stepping up daily exercise and playtime is key. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of quality bonding time together focused on physical and mental stimulation.
Go for frequent walks around new neighborhoods to provide novel sights and smells. Play challenging games of fetch or frisbee that require focus and running. Let them sniff and explore (on a long line if needed) at interesting locations like parks.
Sign up for a fun obedience course or dog sport like agility. Consider doggy daycare a few days a week. The goal is to meet their activity needs and establish a consistent routine to minimize boredom.
Ensuring your stuffed-animal loving dog gets sufficient physical and mental exercise can make a big difference in reducing undesirable behaviors. A tired, content dog is less likely to hump.
Conclusion
Humping inanimate objects like stuffed animals is common in dogs. While the behavior may seem unusual or embarrassing, it’s rarely sexual in nature.
Understanding the underlying causes like instincts, stress, medical issues, or boredom can help curb the behavior through training,playtime, removing triggers, or veterinary care.
