Like many other owners out there, you might have noticed that your dog likes to hump his bed, but you’re probably not quite sure why exactly. Maybe he wants to sleep in the warmth of his mom and dad, or maybe he’s just excited about being home!
There are many reasons why dogs hump their beds. Some dogs do it as a way of marking their territory; others do it as a form of play. However, some dogs may also hump their beds because they’re feeling anxious or stressed. If you’re wondering why your dog is humping his bed, here are some possible explanations.
Why do dogs hump their beds?
Dogs hump their beds for many reasons, but the most common one is because they’re lonely. When dogs are bored or lonely, they’ll start to hump their beds to try and make contact with someone or something. Sometimes dogs will also hump their beds when they’re feeling territorial or when they’re trying to tell their owners that they’re in charge.
Is your dog humping his bed because of you?
One of the more common reasons why dogs hump their beds is because they are trying to get you to pet them. If you haven’t been petting your dog regularly, they may feel anxious and resort to humping the bed as a way of begging for attention. If this is the case, try giving your dog some gentle scratches on the back or sides of his neck in lieu of petting him every time he jumps on the bed. You can also try putting his bed in a different room so that he doesn’t have access to it all the time.
What can be done to stop my dog from humping his bed?
There are a few things that you can do to try and stop your dog from humping his bed. Some of these things may work better for certain dogs, while others may not. Some of the things that you can try include:
1. Training your dog to use a designated sleeping spot
This is probably the most common solution for stopping a dog from humping his bed. If you train your dog to use a specific spot outside of his bedroom as his sleeping spot, he will stop needing to huddle up in bed all the time. You can usually train your dog to do this by rewarding him with treats when he goes outside of his bedroom and sleeps in the designated spot.
2. Installing a sleep monitor
If your dog is constantly humping his bed, it may be because he is insecure or feeling restless. One option that you may want to consider is installing a sleep monitor in your dog’s room. This will allow you to see exactly what is happening when he is lying down and getting ready for bed. By understanding why your dog is behaving this way, you may be able to find solutions that work better for him.
3. Having a set routine for bedtime
If your dog is humping his bed because he is feeling anxious or insecure, setting a routine for bedtime may help him feel more at ease. This might involve reading him a book before bed, putting him in his crate with toys, or giving him a treat when he goes into his bedroom.
4. Dealing with the underlying cause of the anxiety
If the anxiety stems from something outside of your dog’s control, you may need to deal with that issue first. This could include training your dog to be more obedient, providing him with more positive reinforcement, or working on his relationship with you. Once you have addressed the root of the problem, you may be able to start addressing the anxiety issue in a more effective way.
5. Consult a veterinarian
If none of the above solutions seem to be working, you may want to consult a veterinarian. Some dogs have unusual sleeping habits that may need to be treated with medication or therapy.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever had this question on your mind, or if you have a dog that does this, there’s a good chance it’s because your dog is trying to tell you something. When dogs hump their beds, they’re usually doing it as a way of marking their territory and expressing dominance over the area. If you think your dog might be humping his bed out of frustration or aggression, talk to him about why he’s doing it and see if there are any other solutions that can be tried.
