If your dog gets a little bit too friendly with the sofa cushions – or even worse, your guests’ legs – it can really make you cringe. The good (sort of) news is, it’s totally normal and natural dog behaviour.
Frustration expressed
It’s the most obvious cause of this behaviour when you think about it. Some dogs are looking for sexual enjoyment and that’s why they hump things.
Just like humans, dogs have a lot of hormones and this is one of the key ways for them of expressing the effects those hormones have on them. Mounting things, other dogs – and even your friend’s leg – is them working out this frustration.
We asked Head Vet Sean to explain in a bit more detail: