Puppy Humping/desexing

[chellz]

Hi everyone I am asking a question for a friend who has just brought a male labrador. I have always had females so the area is abit grey for me..

She has a 2 year old female labrador and now has a 9week old male lab, he keeps trying to hump her.. is that a dominent behaviour or a sexual one? Didnt think a 9 week old lab would understand this. Also with desexing does the same apply for males in reguards to waiting untill they are abit older because of growth hormones etc..? I myself who is about to desex my 10month old lab have held off due to advice given on here from DOL users.. so my friend is wondering if to do the same for a male? She dosent want to breed just wants whats best for the dog as well as elimanate any humping behaviour? Also i forgot should she ignore when he trys to hump her other dog or tell him off??

Thanx in advance

chelle

[luvsdogs]

I haven't had a male dog in many years & back then they were neutered at 6 mths. If I was to have a male puppy now I would wait until he was 18 mths old, especially if he were a large breed such as a lab. I don't think the humping at this age is either dominance or sexual, simply pleasurable. My previous border collie April used to hump a cushion she had as a pup. By about 6 mths she had stopped doing it as the cushion wore out. Neutering won't necessarily stop humping as I've seen a couple of neutered male dogs at my obedience club doing it. There's sure to be threads on the forum about the subject & how to stop it. I'm sure it is a matter of training & distracting the dog with a toy or game.

Edited June 5, 2011 by luvsdogs

[W Sibs]

Charlie (who is desexed) still humps sometimes but he only hump his toys and he does it to release energy. I've noticed that he will hump when he hasn't been exercises enough. That's the only time I get humping at home.

If your friends doesn't like the behaviour, she should stop him doing it. Teach him that's a behaviour she doesn't tolerate at home. Exercise and train him more. Tired dog is a good dog

I wouldn't let any other dog trying to sort out that pup's behaviour either. I know if a dog tried to hump Em, she will definitely make sure to let the other dog she doesn't like it (and there is a reason why we call her a bitch). I don't want to put her in that position where she has to do that either.

[aussielover]

Most likely excitement behaviour.

My female does it to her toys if she gets over excited.

Desexing won't fix this if it is dominance or excitement. I would desex a male lab at minimum 12 months or when they've stopped growing.

[skyesblue]

Agree with aussie lover. My 7 year old female foxie sometimes does it to our other dog when she gets over excited.