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Humping
I’m writing about a dog in a weekly playgroup in my large fenced in yard. Charlie is a 5 year old English Yellow Lab. Every week Charlie chooses a younger, female dog to obsessively follow and hump. He scents something on the dogs, so I’m guessing there’s a sexual impulse involved. The dog passes, he air scents and then goes in to hump. I’m able to prevent the behavior by calling him to me and giving him a treat. Sometimes, he’ll approach the female and look to me for a treat. I praise and reward that. At times I’m distracted and he starts humping. I’m not able to stop the behavior without physically removing him. Charlie’s recall is perfect in every other situation (because of his food obsession and tons of practice in playgroup), but he won’t come if he’s humping.
I’ve worked with this dog for years without any success. ????Kind of embarrassing. I can manage the behavior, but that’s it. Given tons of time one on one maybe I could get the scent to be a cue to turn to me. But, I’m not confident about that and his owner can’t afford it. I’ve seen lots of excitement humping, but this seems takes the cake. Maybe a hormone imbalance?
I’d love to hear other people’s ideas about this.
Thanks,
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9 Replies
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Hi @Cyn , when you think about it, it’d be unbelievably hard to find a powerful-enough reinforcer to compete with a dog’s sex drive.
Is the dog neutered?
Have you tried holding a stellar treat right in front of his nose to try to draw him away from a humping episode?
I wonder if you applied a strong scent on top of his muzzle, maybe a drop of essential oil that’s safe for dogs, to see if that would help to obliterate other tempting odors he might pick up? No idea if this would work, but maybe worth trying. Possibly, the scent could be applied to the back of the female dog, near her tail…?
Otherwise, would it be feasible to have a line dragging on him to instantly interrupt any humping attempts? No treat given after the interrupt. But you can continue to treat if he directs his focus to you instead of an interesting female.
Will be curious to read other members’ input.
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Thanks Virginia,
I did spray bitter apple on the female’s rump at one point it worked for 20 minutes or so. Reapplication worked again, but it was several times during a playgroup and the female’s owner wasn’t thrilled. So.. i stopped
I love the idea of essential oil on Charlie’s muzzle and will do it this Tuesday. I have birch for scent work and will try that.
He is neutered.
Thanks,
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@Cyn , Just be sure it’s okay to apply the birch oil directly onto his skin — the muzzle doesn’t usually have much fur coverage.
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Is it always the same female? Does Charlie ever hump younger males? What is the benefit Charlie gets from coming to playgroup, other than humping, or is that his only fulfillment in being there?
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So far as products – I learned about this from a friend who competes in Rally with two intact male Dobermans who were/are very distracted by the show ring/in heat females in the other buildings… she got this and tried it with some success. It has to be reapplied but maybe is worth a shot? At least it is something to put on the male dog and not on the poor girl who is just minding her own biz! https://theblissfuldog.com/collections/lust-buster-butter
theblissfuldog.com
DOG LUST BUSTER BUTTER Easy to use LUST BUSTER distracts boy dog's from girl dogs in heat for short periods of time, such as dog shows, obedience trials, etc
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Thanks for sharing that, Catherine. I learn something new every day!
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Me too – I laughed out loud when she texted it to me… I didn’t understand what it was at first, but then remembered how her poor boys SUFFER to stay focused while competing and the girls smell so gooooood…. lol
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OMG I had to laugh. I will order this immediately.
It’s always a young female, but not always the same one. If a dog corrects him, he stops.
Charlie’s person is in her 80s and she adores playgroup and giving Charlie a chance to run free. I just don’t have the heart to turn her away. Any other dog, I would ask to leave.
So, I keep Charlie on a long line, and manage fairly successfully.
Thanks so much for the suggestions from both of you,
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Ah – the human connection piece; probably essential for Charlie’s owner’s mental well being! You are so kind!
Let us know how the Lust Buster works for Charlie. I think you’re right to keep a long line on him. The only other consideration/idea I have is to make Charlie a special playgroup with 3 or 4 boys … not saying he won’t try to hump them but maybe worth a try? If there are a couple intact males with super social skills they might be able to issue a correction that lands well, without causing a total ruckus.
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