Why do dogs hump our legs?

Answer 1

One reason dogs hump human legs is that they can't reach higher than that! Seriously, although grabbing the opposite sex is wrong for people to do, dogs don't view themselves as people so such rules don't apply to them. They think we're big dogs and see us as part of their pack, treating us accordingly.
But we, big dogs, don't act like dogs, because we stop them from doing what comes naturally to them. And we often don't let them do it with dogs either. So they're frustrated -- which is why they go after your leg or anything standing or lying still, including cats, other male dogs, cushions, and, yes, human legs, which are easy for them to get their own legs around.
As for sniffing you or your guests in embarrassing places, Dr. Peter Neville, a top English consultant in animal behavior, writes in Pet Sex that "It's all very natural" for dogs to "head for an area where there's lots of scent information to be gleaned. It's like shaking hands in a world that we have so little sensory awareness of. They do things which are natural for them, no matter how rude they may be for us."
In order to stop this tawdry behavior, it's not a good idea to pick your dog up and put him on your lap, or make a big deal out of the mounting or sniffing. That just gives him extra attention and encourages him to continue the behavior.
While some dog experts advocate hormones, or castration, simpler methods are to divert them in some way, such as spraying something like water or lemon juice whenever they mount or sniff.
Lifting a knee to a large dog's chest to force him to get down also works but it isn't considered a nice thing to do (as if mounting people was).
Isolation is often recommended, that is, putting the dog in a quiet room for a few minutes each time he tries to mount. Be warned! One salacious dachshund had to be isolated eighty-four times the first day this technique was used! But three weeks later, the dog was no longer mounting.

Answer 2

Humping is what dogs do to show there dominance over something. If they hump legs the dog thinks he or she is the boss of that person or showing the new person he is boss of this family (pack). It has nothing at all to do with sex. Spaying or neutering dose not always stop the problem this is a behavior issue. You will notice this dog might hump stuffed animals or other dogs of the same sex. (do not allow this behavior and get some training)

Answer 3

It's likely a dominance thing. I've got five dogs (none of whom hump my legs, btw). After a fight between two of the lower-status dogs, a higher status dog will usually hump the winner, as if to say "you may have won the fight, but I'm still your boss."

Sexual play humping is another story, involving lots of posturing (neck arched, nose pointed at the back of the other dog's neck) and whining (do other dogs really find that sexy?). Lower-status dogs often try to hump higher status dogs during sex play.

Answer 4

And one of the biggest misconceptions they have is that a mutt only mounts a person's leg because it's sexually excited.

According to veterinarian J. Veronika Kiklevich, leg-humping rovers are trying to prove their dominance, not sharing an amorous moment.

She says getting your pooch "fixed" won't correct the embarrassing behavior, and the only solution is to stand up to the animal and assert your own dominance.

Although many dog owners are embarrassed to ask for advice on supposedly randy rovers, Dr. K isn't bothered because she gets that question all the time

Answer 5

They are trying to establish their place in the pecking order of your house hold.

Do you know the difference between a yorkie humping you leg and a great dane humping?

Well--you allow the Great Dane to finish.

Answer 6

Because they have a urge to get it on just like people get that dog a friend, ha ha

Answer 7

uhmmm,... because dogs aren't as choosey as cats are, hence the slang term for certain guys (snicker - giggle). The irony is that even dogs that are fixed will do it anyway, if only we could get naughty men fixed. -Sigh.

Answer 8

they are in heat and umm its not something that they know! meaning they dont really view it as a human they just feel the heat of the body and want to release some steam

Answer 9

They are trying to establish dominience over you. They are pack animals it is not always sexual.

Answer 10

Hi,,, because they dont have anyone else to play with ......

good luck.....