I have a problem with Kilo trying to hump labradors. Not just any labradors, but specifically black or chocolate ones. Other breeds of dog and fox red and yellow labs are safe from his attentions.

This evening Kilo was playing on the field with his vizsla friend when a black lab came tearing over and Kilo immediately tried to hump him. This has also happened a few times within the last fortnight - the labs have always come tearing over and he has always immediately tried to hump. It does not make any difference whether they are dogs or bitches.

When he was younger he would sometimes try to hump dogs out of pure over excitement when play got a little too exuberant, which stopped quite a few months ago (probably about 6).

It sounds a little odd, but the only 'lab related' incidents that I can recall was the black lab that came tearing over and knocked him down around 3 weeks ago (I think) or (more likely maybe) the two chocolate labs that tear over on a regular basis, one of which who was in season a fortnight or so ago and gave us problems.

When he shows any signs of wanting to hump he will 'leave it' if asked but just tries again and again if left offlead. At present I put his lead on and remove him from the dog. If the owner is willing and he is let off again, he tries again straight away. He gives up immediately if one of his victims growls or gives an air snap and doesn't attempt anything again.

At present we don't meet labs whose owners ask if they can play; they all come running over - if the owners asked me I would probably ask that they don't play or are introduced calmly (and explain why) until I can get to grips with this behaviour so Kilo doesn't get the chance to rehearse it.

Any advice?

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I have no advice.

But I will be interested in the answer as the only dog Craven humps is a black flat coated retriever named Ryan.

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Toby always seems to go for chocolate/black Labs although he did take a particular fancy to Golden Shadows Rupert

I think he gets so over excited but with Toby he seems to like the boys best!

He half heartedly tried to have a go on Roxy after they had been tearing around the garden but soon backed off after she gave him 'her look'!!!

Do you want to borrow Indie, she's the humper not the humpee generally speaking, could be interesting

He doesn't object when dogs hump him when overexcited...so would just be like twister I suppose . Mind you, if she told him off....he wouldn't try again.

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Oh yes, she definitely doesn't do *humped*, she's very nice about it, and unfortunately would lead him on to the point where she had to tell him politely that humping is not allowed!!

Ha ha, "labs come running /tearing over" now there's a surprise. Glad it's not just mine then (although he's been in my bad books and back on the extendable for a day or so doing his absconding) but I did think it was reassuring that it's not just mine.

I should be grateful; at least he's yellow

Has he learnt it from some very exuberant labs as a form of 'stress release' perhaps? He tends to lie down / look away / approach dogs that he doesn't know (or wait for them to approach him whilst lying down) quite cautiously and most of these labs ignore all calming signals and steam in full of friendly enthusiasm...perhaps this may have something to do with it?

Clutching at straws maybe but would like to stop it!

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precisely what U just said -

CALL to the owner of an off-leash black or liver Lab, ASK her or him to leash their dog & have a calm intro;
explain he has a problem with black & liver Labs, U don't have to explain it in detail, just that he gets
overwhelmed by loose dogs who rush him, & especially of those colors / that breed.

most folks are thrilled to help a dog's training, especially if U point out how much U appreciate their help,
how frustrating it's been, etc, etc.
it's a common response from young males who don't know what else to do, ATM - over-excited,
or even possibly confused, a bit scared or anxious... humping is the Go-To choice for displacement.

many Labs in the public-shelters will clamp onto the legs of volunteer-walkers & hump -
it's arousal, anxiety, the stress of the noisy kennel & all the strange dogs, ANTICIPATION of getting out,
& so on, & they just latch on & start pumping; luckily, most are easily removed & can be dissuaded,
altho some are very persistent. OLDER MALES who clamp & hump must be carefully assessed! Some bite
if anyone tries to remove them from their current love-object, so it isn't always an innocent fling,
or simple displacement - with some dogs, it's bossy & controlling.
'enthusiasm', eh? is THAT what U call it?... i just call it 'rude dogs'.

i'd use classic DS/CC, such as Open-Bar / Closed-Bar, & polite cautious intros.
'Click to Calm' is an excellent DIY for any & all reactive issues.

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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

Thank you; I will try and control these interactions as I had thought that would be the answer; the problem is that I nearly always see the dog before the owner gets onto the field (as tonight).

I suspect that it may be rooted in anxiety a little as even a novice like me can watch the calming signals he uses to an unknown dog / or dogs approaching very fast and head on; when they are ignored I think it triggers the humping response. Just curious that it is always labs although the labs here are very, very exuberant!

Humour aside, I did want to check that I wasn't missing anything blindingly obvious. Luckily Kilo doesn't try to hump other dogs / objects/ people etc so I am hoping that I can try and sort the problem out.

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