Your dog likely humps you when you hug your husband as an attention-seeking behavior that has been inadvertently reinforced.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Attention Seeking: Dogs learn quickly what actions get them attention, even negative attention. If your dog humps you and you react (even by pushing him away or saying "no"), he is getting a response, and that can reinforce the behavior. He's essentially saying, "Hey! Look at me!"
- Excitement/Arousal: Hugging can be a sign of excitement for you, and your dog might become overstimulated and express that arousal through humping. The act of hugging can trigger a response.
- Jealousy/Possessiveness: Your dog might be displaying jealousy or possessiveness toward you. He might see your hug with your husband as you giving affection to someone else, triggering him to try and reassert his presence and claim your attention.
- Learned Behavior: Perhaps your dog humped you one time while you were hugging your husband, and you reacted in a way that he found rewarding (even if you didn't intend it to be). This could have started a pattern where he repeats the behavior in hopes of getting that same reaction again.
What you can do:
- Ignore the behavior: If you believe it's attention-seeking, the best approach is often to completely ignore the humping. Don't make eye contact, don't speak, and don't touch him. The goal is to make the behavior completely unrewarding.
- Redirect his attention: When you and your husband begin to hug, redirect your dog's attention to a different activity. Give him a chew toy, tell him to go to his bed, or start a quick training session.
- Teach alternative behaviors: Train your dog to perform a different behavior when you and your husband hug. For example, you could teach him to sit or lie down and reward him for staying in that position.
- Consult a professional: If the behavior is persistent or causing significant distress, consult with a certified professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. They can help you identify the underlying cause of the humping and develop a personalized training plan.
