Ugh, that sounds awful. Poor Oban. Interestingly, yesterday we met an unknown male flatcoat on a walk - he immediately jumped on Poppy and started humping her enthusiastically. I thought it was because her season was just over, but the owner (who called his dog back right away) told me that his dog is neutered and that he was 'displaying dominance'. We had a good conversation, and I said I didn't believe it was a dominance issue, as he seemed like a really nice friendly dog who wanted to play - it was just that he lacked social skills and had no idea of how to behave around other dogs! The man was interested and said he would look into it further. Nice to have a sensible conversation with someone like that, all too often they are convinced of their 'dominance' theories... Our next door neighbours have a lovely-natured neutered golden retriever, who ALWAYS tries to hump Poppy. He is huge - must weigh at least 40 kg. Anyway, at long last Poppy has turned round and snapped and snarled at him, and now he is much more cautious! I am glad, because I couldn't allow them to play together for fear he would hurt her.
I honestly think the humping is a) nerdy behaviour with a dog that just doesn't get it quite right around other dogs or b) aggressive behaviour - I really see it on a spectrum of undesirable to unacceptable. Charlie used to get humped a lot - or dogs would attempt it (he hates it and will object, and I step in without waiting for the owner of the other dog to do something) but no so much now, although that may be partly because no male dog gets to approach my dog now unless I know for sure it is friendly. My own experience of b) is it is neutered, not entire, males doing the humping.
The incident has really changed Rorys behavior it made him very fearful of men. I'm very worried now. I will speak to a behaviourist and try to get him out of his hyper vigilent state trouble i'm in one too so neither of us is helping the other
How awful for both you and Rory. I do hope things improve for you both (you need to take care of you too). Love and licks from me and Bailey x
Based upon everything I've been reading recently that sounds like exactly the right response. Humping or mounting, whatever you want to call it, is much more related to bad manners than dominance, aggression or anything else. A dog tries it out and discovers that it feels good - behaviour and reward. The dog will then try it again, and enjoys it again so the behaviour becomes reinforced so will continue as dog does what rewards it. The dog also becomes more practiced with each occasion it successfully mounts another dog unless the behaviour is prevented by the owner. Keep discouraging the behaviour and you will get there
Yes definitely! Thank you! I'm trying sadly had a set back again last night. But will keep working on it
We have recently encountered some inappropriate humping. The intact male GR next door to me is 13 years old and he's the best dog in our whole village. He NEVER barks, never, ever. And he stays in his own unfenced yard no matter who goes by with their dog. He is supervised. But, my neighbour two down the other way just got a female GR puppy and even at only 11 weeks old the male above tries to hump her. He could hurt her, badly. We are all of us, really surprised at this. Here the puppy owner figured this big GR would be a good older dog for interaction and he's not. Instead she brings the puppy to my house. At my house all we have to watch for is big oaf Oban knocking her over or stepping on her.
Hi it's interesting to hear about your humping lab as our 4 month old lab does the same. However, our trainer says it's just a play thing. I'm hoping he will grow out of it..fingers crossed
