I am posting this request for help for a very good friend of mine with no internet access,
she has 2 newfoundland dogs, one approx 7 years and the other around 6 months, The oldest has always been a humper, now baby has found out he can do it too! she is now having really major problems with them humping each other all the time, they have to be seperated, cant be left together when they go out at all as they are knocking stuff around during thier sessions! she returned home last week to broken glass everywhere.
Castration for either of them is not possible as they are show dogs and she wants to keep them intact, she has tried sprays as well as various other things  she even tried some potion that is supposed to calm things down ( I will find out exactly what she has already tried when I phone her)
can any one suggest anything she can do

How much exercise do they get, and what kind?  Does she take them to training classes?

Increasing their physical and mental exercise would help majorly.

What is she feeding them on?  Some foods contain many additives which can lead to excess energy and hyperactivity.

Hi,

A bitch that we often walk our girls with does this to a couple of other dogs.

Can anyone tell me why she would be doing it?

Sometimes 'humping' can be a sign of a dominant dog! Where does she show?? I don't know many 7 year old Newfies that are shown...well certainly none that wouldn't know what to do!! As 123 suggested, try cutting out some of the protein and additives in their food. I always feed either Nutro or of I want some body on them Autarky. I also take my dogs for a 4 mile conditioning walk a day EVERY day, whatever the weather! Obviously young dogs need their joints protecting, but the older one should expend some of his energy in exercise. I would also reccomend training for them both as this stimulates their minds and may lessen some of the tension. Where does she live and show?? Just wondered if I know her as I know most of the folk that show at the Champ shows. Isn't the Breeder where she got the 7month old one from any help? I think it might be a good idea to separate them when they are left, we all know Newfies are usually fairly forgiving doggies, but if one has had enough of the others humping then it could all end in tears and some very expensive Veterinary care! If she wants to ring me, send me a PM and I will let you have my phone number ok? All the best, Dawn

I know the young one is being fed Royal Canin, I am not sure if the older one is on the same food, its definatly not lack of exercise they are both exercised in the woods daily and the older one exercised again later.
They are being seperated at the moment but from what I understand its like all the time they are together, and living together there has to be a better solution than pernament seperation!  Ill pass over the comments about the food, thats possibly something she hasnt considered

Is the humping something one or other dogs is bothered by or is this just a problem for the owner.  If the dogs are happy then I wouldn't worry, other than splitting them up when alone just in case one objected one day aned a fight ensued.

My girls will often infulge, but a distraction (usually walking to the kitchen) ssoon takes their mind off it.  She needs to not make a big deal of it, as they may just feel it is a worhtwhile way to get ehr attention.