Humping

[Charlie's Angels]

I have a situation where my 1yr old Charlie humps other dogs. When ever I take him to the dog park he always find one dog to hump. I understand that it could mean somekind of dominance thing. Sometimes the owner of the dog that Charlie is humping doesn't mind and say that they'll work it out. But it really bothers me. I usually end up pulling Charlie off. One day he's going to get an ear bite off or something. Last weekend a Lab was able to grap a hold of Charlie's lip. Charlie back away BUT he came back for more. How serious is this dominace thing? Oh, once that dog left Charlie went to find some other dog to hump. And there I was again pulling him off. A GS started humping Charlie but Charlie didn't do anything but stand there until I moved Charlie away. What can I do? I'm afraid that Charlie will one day mess with a dog that's not in a good mood. Thanks.

[TrishB]

You're right when you say it's a dominance thing. Charlie thinks he's the 'big man on campus' and he's ready to tell everyone about it!

The problem is, he has bad 'doggy manners'. Dogs that don't know how to greet other dogs will do things like humping, jumping, etc.

The best thing to do would be to take Charlie to Dog Obedience Classes. These classes will not only help you with furthering Charlie's training, but it will also help him to learn how to greet other dogs. Tell your trainer of your park encounters, and they'll also give you some techniques.

You're right that one day he may choose the wrong dog to greet. You've already gotten a glimpse of that. I'd suggest you act now, before you encounter 'the wrong dog'.

Just keep in mind that although his behaviour is embarrassing to you, it is normal in 'doggy language'.

[Charlie's Angels]

Actually I did take Charlie to obedience class before and the trainer really didn't cover that part. I wanted to hear what you guys have to say. Thanks Trishb.

[moondog]

Hi Charlie :)

My female (she's 7) did this maybe twice in her life and I stopped it immediately. Just seems really obnoxious to me and an open door to a dog fight, of which I want no part! :)

[Charlie's Angels]

Moondog or anyone else , what is it that you did to stop this annoying behavior?

[moondog]

What I did was pull her off the SECOND she started it, sat her butt down and told her NO! Then sent her off in another direction to play. :)

If she had done it fifty times, I would have repeated it fifty times. Luckily, she catches on quick!

[Judi W]

What you get in training is not instructions on how to correct every possible infraction, but a relationship of being the final "in-charge" person so that the dogs learns to listen and respond. That is what covers all the infractions. No, it doesn't mean there is a special command "stop humping the other dogs". It means that when you use a meaningful voice and tell the dog "knock it off" or "get out of it" the dog has learned enough respect to respond. Charlie needs more training and less permissiveness. You're right, some other dog is going to teach him to listen if you don't but someone could get hurt. It is also not fair to simply wait for one to correct him. That is unfair to the sweet dogs that don't want to fight and just have to stand there and take it. I also vote for the grab his butt and take him off the other dog and do it with emphasis - like moondog said - each and every time, not usually. Start that now while your working on further training. That way you and Charlie will be welcome in the play groups.