I have a 6 and half year old golden labrador bitch who over the last 18 months has developed a habit of mounting my leg, especially when I am paying attention to someone/something else. Its really embarrasing when out walking and I stop to talk to someone and then she mounts my leg. She really hurts too as she digs her dew claws in, and wont let go - i have to physically part her legs and throw her off me.

It really can be anything, from hanging the washing out, to having a cuddle with my partner. In fact in my absence, she has started doing it to him now too.

Any ideas?? She knows she has done wrong as when I shout at her she lowers her head and runs away when we order her away. But i cant seem to stop this annoying habit :(

Any comments/suggestions welcome.

Thanks in anticipation!!

It sounds on the face of it that she is desperate for your attention, and she has discovered that this way gets your attention - it may be negative, but it's better than being ignored! Has anything in your routine changed lately, whereby she is feeling left out?

In the meantime, if you stop and talk to people when you're out, get her to sit while you talk. When she's sitting you can praise her for being good, and also she can't mount your leg! When you're busy doing chores, can you talk to her at the same time (before she starts misbehaving)?

Just brief thoughts that might help.
:)

It's interesting that it started when she was roughly 5 - can you think of anything that may have set it off at all? Healthwise or behaviour wise?

I have heard of one case where a dog did this, but he was actually wearing a harsh training collar and trying to stop the discomfort, but it doesn't sound like that with yours.....

As JG says, it may be that she is desperate for attention for some reason, and with dogs, even an angry response is sometimes better than being ignored (i am not saying you do ignore your dog).

It may be worth contacting a sympathetic trainer in your area, take a peek at www.apdt.co.uk to see if there is one near you.

good luck

Lindsay