Help! My Neutered Dog Still Humps - What Should I Do?

Seeing dogs humping a friend’s leg or the table stand can be quite an embarrassing experience even for people who absolutely love dogs. Sometimes, you just want to hide your face when you see your dog doing the deed. While it’s mostly the dog’s natural instinct kicking in, it’s still not a pleasant sight to look at. This is why it’s common practice for dog parents to have their pets neutered by the vet. However, what would you do if you discover that your neutered dog still humps?  

Dogs humping continues after the neuter process

Surprisingly, it’s quite common for neutered dogs to still hump. Dr. Karen Sueda, an expert veterinary behaviorist explains that sexual hormones sometimes still linger in the body of a neutered dog, hence, the continued humping. The good news is that you can expect to see your dogs humping less frequently after getting neutered. 

However, it’s crucial for you to pay attention to the triggers of your dog’s humping behavior. Most of the time, humping is caused by sexual stimulation. But, there are some cases wherein it’s triggered by non-sexual stimulants. Some of these include:

• Physical and psychological-induced stress
• Unused energy
• Excitement and anxiety
• Socialization problems 
• Medical problems such as urinary tract infection

How to stop dog from humping

If the dog’s humping behavior isn’t triggered by sexual signals, then this will surely call for immediate intervention. To start, you must correctly identify the non-sexual trigger for the humping reaction. 

If you are a keen observer, it would be easy for you to deduce possible causes. For example, if the reaction stems from anxiety or excitement from meeting someone new for the first time, then consider scheduling more playdates. This way, your pooch gets accustomed to meeting your family, friends, colleagues, and even other dogs. It will help your dog get rid of the “stranger danger” notion.  

Is the problem caused by unused energy? Most of the time, dogs feel restless when they haven’t completely used up their energy reservoir. To help them calm down and manage the situation better, you should schedule more time for exercises and other physical activities with your dog. Additionally, double-check the food that you give your pup. See to it that it has the right balance of calories, nutrients, and minerals.

If you’re not sure what’s causing the odd behavior, get in touch with a professional. Preferably, you should look for a veterinarian who has background and experience in dealing with neutered dogs that still hump. With the help of a specialist, you can pinpoint and address the root cause of the humping.   

Sploot View: It’s Normal

It’s quite common for pet owners to find that their neutered dog that still humps. It may be caused by residual sexual hormones from the removed organs. Alternatively, it might be caused by a variety of non-sexual triggers such as stress and restlessness.

As a responsible pet owner, you should be able to identify what’s causing your dog to behave that way. This will help you avoid getting stuck in an embarrassing situation and discover potential problems that might need your immediate attention.