Hi all,
We have been having some problems with our 14-month-old flatcoated retriever, who appears to be 'over-sexed'. Whenever he meets other (male) dogs, he will not only sniff but also lick their genitals (sorry if this is too much information) - usually resulting in them barking or growling at him, but this won't always make him back off. He is also constantly trying to sniff our crotches and is prone to humping legs - although this has improved.
My husband thinks we should have him neutered, but I am reluctant to do this. Do any of you have similar experiences: Will he outgrow it? Is there anything else we can do? 
Thanks, Freya

Your boy is going through puberty so over sexed is normal,  His hormone levels will be five times as high as an adults for a while (until he has gained all the secondary sex characteristics) and will then settle, so I wouldn't rush for castration.

Sound normal for a teenager, give it time, discourage unwanted behaviour but bum and genital sniffing is normal dog behaviour so just stop when humans are involved and the best way is to walk away.

Sounds like a typical Flattie boy, my younger two are always licking the older dogs, one one each side, it gets quite embarrasing at times. Thankfully the only humping is with each other and not our legs.They always have such an intense look on their faces while doing it.
He may grow out of it but my 3 year old is still a 'crotch sniffer'. I don't think neutering would help this problem just try and discourage him and don't laugh when he does it as they just do it more and more!!!
Youngest is 10 months and just starting to go through his Flattie teenage period and he thinks he always knows best.....but I've been there often before so hopefully I'm a step in front.
Keep smiling he will grow up in 6,7 years if you are lucky!!!!!!

This is not just a flatcoat thing - many dogs do it as teenagers.     The worst dog I ever had , years ago, was a neutered beagle bitch that we had re-homed !!!!!

I think you need to work on lots of basic obedience - clicker training and positive training with other dogs as a distraction.     It's actually fairly easy to stop it, actually - best if you get a qualified trainer to show you how.

We run five entire dogs with our pack, three used at stud, and trained with distraction methods, they are so focussed on us that they don't think about anything else.

From the experience with the beagle, castration/neutering  won't stop it - it's not a substitution for correct training.

Jo
Casblaidd Flatcoated Retrievers

"Sound normal for a teenager" lol yep I agree

Some boys are worse than others but it is usually a phase.  However some dogs are generally more 'scent aware' so the phase might last longer than you'd like.

My youngest dog is just 12 months and we are currently living with frenzied fleece humping.  He's always done this a little when over tired (usually after dinner, and before he sleeps) but lately it's got more intense!  A bit of redirection helps...

Neutering is unlikely to have any useful effect except to leave him stuck in this phase forever.  I'm sure he'll settle soon enough.  In the meantime be a bit careful around other males, most are quite capable of telling him off in an appropriate manner but some breeds/dogs might overreact so exercise caution.

Boys eh?!!  Love 'em but...

Passing phase if in the house and it's getting to you use an indoor line and give him a timeout, same for leg humping as that could also be attention seeking behaviour, as who could ignore a humping dog on your leg??!!

As for the other poster and beagle tell me about it!! It always seems to be the bitches of this breed who hump me more than the males!! Very odd!! Probably a genetic trait. Have owned a beagle boy myself and he humped but never castrated and it passed.

Also castration does not always resolve this issue and as dogs will sniff other dogs that's completely normal but teststrone is still produced by the adrenal glands thereby allowing the behaviour to persist also if attention seeking it will still persist. And don't forget its a hardwired behaviour not just ruled by hormones completely.

Thanks a lot for all your advice - this has been most helpful