Why Does My Pomeranian Hump Me? Unraveling the Mystery
The reasons your Pomeranian humps you are multifaceted, but often aren’t sexually motivated. Humping in Pomeranians is frequently a sign of excitement, dominance, anxiety, playfulness, or attention-seeking.
Understanding Humping Behavior in Pomeranians
Humping, or mounting, is a common behavior exhibited by dogs of all breeds, including the fluffy and spirited Pomeranian. While often associated with sexual arousal, especially in intact (unneutered/unspayed) males, this isn’t always the primary driver. Why does my Pomeranian hump me? It could stem from a variety of underlying reasons, and understanding these nuances is crucial for addressing the behavior appropriately.
Non-Sexual Reasons for Humping
Often, Pomeranians hump for reasons unrelated to mating:
- Excitement and Play: High levels of excitement, such as during playtime or when guests arrive, can trigger humping. It’s a way for your Pom to release pent-up energy.
- Dominance Display: Dogs, including Pomeranians, may hump as a way to assert dominance over other dogs or even people. This is more common in multi-dog households but can occur in single-dog situations as well.
- Attention-Seeking: If your Pomeranian has learned that humping gets a reaction (even a negative one), they may repeat the behavior to garner your attention.
- Anxiety and Stress: Just like humans, dogs can exhibit unusual behaviors when stressed or anxious. Humping can be a displacement activity, a way to cope with uncomfortable feelings.
- Compulsive Behavior: In some cases, humping can become a compulsive behavior, similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. This may require intervention from a veterinary behaviorist.
Sexual Reasons for Humping
While non-sexual reasons are common, sexual arousal can definitely be a factor, especially in intact males.
- Hormonal Drive: Unneutered male Pomeranians are driven by testosterone, which can lead to humping as a way to express their sexual urges.
- Seeking a Mate: If a female Pomeranian is in heat nearby, an intact male may hump anything available, including people, in an attempt to find a suitable mate.
How to Address Humping Behavior
Addressing humping behavior effectively requires identifying the underlying cause. Here’s a multi-pronged approach:
- Rule Out Medical Issues: A vet visit can rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to the behavior.
- Neutering/Spaying: If the humping is sexually motivated, neutering or spaying your Pomeranian can significantly reduce or eliminate the behavior.
- Redirect the Behavior: When you see your Pomeranian starting to hump, immediately redirect their attention with a command like “Sit” or “Leave it,” followed by a reward for compliance.
- Provide More Exercise and Mental Stimulation: A bored or under-stimulated Pomeranian is more likely to engage in unwanted behaviors. Provide plenty of exercise, playtime, and interactive toys.
- Ignore the Behavior: If the humping is attention-seeking, try ignoring it completely. Any reaction, even a negative one, reinforces the behavior. Walk away, turn your back, or put your Pom in a time-out.
- Consult a Professional: If the humping is severe, compulsive, or accompanied by other behavioral issues, consult a certified professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist.
Preventative Measures
Prevention is always better than cure:
- Early Socialization: Expose your Pomeranian to a variety of people, places, and other dogs from a young age to help them develop into well-adjusted adults.
- Consistent Training: Establish clear rules and boundaries with consistent training.
- Appropriate Exercise: Provide your Pomeranian with plenty of exercise to release pent-up energy.
- Mental Enrichment: Offer puzzle toys, interactive games, and training sessions to keep your Pom mentally stimulated.
Common Mistakes
- Punishing the Dog: Punishment is never an effective way to address humping behavior. It can create fear and anxiety, which can actually worsen the problem.
- Ignoring the Underlying Cause: Simply suppressing the humping without addressing the underlying cause will not solve the problem in the long run.
- Inconsistent Training: Inconsistent training sends mixed signals to your dog and can make it difficult for them to understand what you want.
FAQs: Unlocking the Secrets of Pomeranian Humping
Why does my Pomeranian hump me and not other people?
Your Pomeranian might hump you specifically because you’re the most important person in their life. They might feel more comfortable expressing excitement, dominance, or even anxiety around you compared to others. This could also be an indication of a strong bond.
Is humping a sign of aggression in Pomeranians?
While humping can be related to dominance, it is rarely a sign of true aggression in Pomeranians. Aggression involves other indicators such as growling, snarling, snapping, or biting.
Can spaying my female Pomeranian stop her from humping?
Yes, spaying can eliminate humping that’s sexually motivated in female Pomeranians. However, if the behavior is related to excitement, anxiety, or dominance, spaying may not completely resolve it.
How do I stop my Pomeranian from humping guests?
Preventative measures are key! Keep your Pom on a leash when guests arrive, redirect their attention with a toy or command, and provide a designated “safe space” where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
Is humping more common in male or female Pomeranians?
Humping is generally more common in intact male Pomeranians due to the presence of testosterone. However, females can also exhibit humping behavior, often for non-sexual reasons.
My Pomeranian is neutered, so why is he still humping?
Neutering reduces testosterone, but it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. Your neutered Pomeranian might still be humping due to established habit, excitement, dominance, or learned behavior.
What kind of toys can help redirect humping behavior?
Interactive toys like puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, and chew toys can help redirect your Pomeranian’s energy and provide mental stimulation, reducing the likelihood of humping.
At what age do Pomeranians usually start humping?
Pomeranians can start humping at any age, even as puppies. The underlying reason for the behavior will vary depending on the age of the dog.
Is it okay to let my Pomeranian hump a toy instead of me?
Redirecting the behavior to a toy can be a helpful strategy, but it’s important to also address the underlying cause. If the humping is related to anxiety, simply redirecting it to a toy won’t solve the root of the problem.
What if I can’t figure out why my Pomeranian is humping?
If you’re struggling to identify the cause of your Pomeranian’s humping, it’s best to consult with a certified professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. They can help you assess your dog’s behavior and develop a customized training plan.
How long does it take to stop humping behavior in Pomeranians?
The timeline for stopping humping behavior varies depending on the underlying cause and the consistency of your training efforts. It could take a few weeks to several months.
Why does my Pomeranian hump me during playtime?
During playtime, humping can be a sign of over-excitement. Try to keep playtime controlled, using commands such as “settle” or “leave it” to help manage this behavior when it appears.