Wondering if anyone might be able to shed some light on why a dog would suddenly start trying to hump other dogs??

He is 3 and a half years old and was neutered aged 8 months.  He has never been a 'humper' (for want of a better word) but in the past week he has mounted 3 bitches (all spayed and all older dogs ).  The only  occasion that I have ever seem him do this in the past was with our bitch when she was in season and that was after she had flirted with him relentlessly for days on end  :rolleyes: It is not play behaviour and I don't believe that it is a dominance thing either.  He is usually very well behaved around other dogs and, until this, I would have classed his doggy manners as excellent.

Any ideas why this behaviour might have come about now, all of a sudden?

Mid-life crisis ???? :D :D :D

Sorry - haven't a clue :)

Daisy

Might be something here of use.

>Mid-life crisis ???? :-D :-D :-D

ROFLOL :D :D  Maybe....

Zarah, thank you for the link :)

Hasn't Shay had quite few problems where he has been housebound or restricted excercise through injuries over the last year or so so maybe he is kicking out against this maybe ? :)

Hi Lucy

Yes, he has has more than his fair share of problems this past year :( However, he has been much improved lately an is enjoying more normal levels of exercise; mainly swimming when possible.  Almost back to normal in fact (although 'normal' is not a term that would often be applied to Shay :rolleyes: :P).  Although, perhaps he is making up for lost ground, in a way??

>I've been wondering if early castration resulted in late maturity and the behaviour associated with that.

Lori, I think you may be onto something there.  That would certainly explain a lot.  Although Shay had already started leg-lifting before he was neutered and had shown some signs of wanting to hump (me mainly, rather than other dogs :rolleyes: )  I will keep an eye on him and do my best to curb the behaviour before he gets a chance to practice it too often!

>I have known a number of neutered dogs that were alpha animals.

No chance of him being alpha in this household.  The post is already filled by a bossy Newfoundland bitch :rolleyes:  However, could that be a reason for him acting like this outside of the house, maybe?

Plenty of food for thought.  Thanks guys :)

It will be interesting to see what others say. My boy was neutered at 8 months; before any adult behaviour such as leg lifting. Now at 2 he is just starting to do it (always has been a hump monster :-D) I learned early on to watch his body language to so I could pre-empt any such thoughts. I've been wondering if early castration resulted in late maturity and the behaviour associated with that. Maybe your boy has only just built enough confidence to have a go? It's what I've been wondering about mine.

Those were my thoughts as he is reaching social maturity.  I ahve known a number of neutered dogs that were alpha animals.

I agree with you Lori. My Arnie was neutered at just 4 ½ months of age. He was 3 before he started cocking his leg. Now at 5 he mates and ties with in season bitches, and acts like a fully entire dog in every respect. It just took him ages to get there.

Oh great :rolleyes: There I was thinking I had a sensible, well behaved dog and it turns out he had just lulled me into a false sense of security :rolleyes: :D