Sorry, not sure what to title this!

I'm not that experienced with dogs, only bitches, so I am not sure what to make of a situation that happened while walking yesterday and what you'd do in the following situation?

I was on the way back from our walk with my adult bitch yesterday. She was on her lead, and coming towards us was a lady with a chocolate lab, who was off lead. She called him back, which he ignored, and I called that it wasn't a problem, as my girl was OK with other dogs. I stood still while the other owner collected her dog, and she mumbled something about 'well, he'll...' and that was it.

After the chocolate lab had gone on it's way (on the lead by now) I let my girl off again, and a bit later, the chocolate lab came back, still on it's lead. I called my girl back to me, and the other owner aske dif it was Ok for the dogs to play together. I sai dyes, it was fine. Pretty much instantly the dog (entire) tried to mount my bitch, which she promptly told him off for. However, he persisted, she told him off again, he growled and snarled back and a 'fight' ensued where he was still trying to mount her. It didn't go on for very long, as I managed to get hold of my girls collar (she was trying to come when I called her, but couldn't get away from him)  and put myself between her and the dog while the dogs owner got hold of him. Luckily no harm done.

Dogs owner says he is two years old, and doesn't usually mount anything, but that he is mainly used to boy dogs. My girl was not in season and it is a couple of months since she has been, so no chance of any lingering smell or anything.

I kind of put it down to poor manners/socialisation on the dogs part, but did wonder why he was so persistent even when told in no uncertain terms to get lost. I was reluctant to suggest to the owner she have him castrated, as I know it isn't some magic 'cure all', but I couldn't help wondering if it might help?

It's not a big thing for me. I can avoid the other dog. If I hadn't been able to intervene though Iwonder if it would have got a lot nastier? Thoughts would be appreciated, just for interest if nothing else. Thanks.

This sounds to me like normal boy behaviour, but one who hasn't learnt to take no for an answer! (Typical teenager then ) At 2 he still isn't fully mature. If you are prepared to meet this lady and her dog again (I would be tempted to) if only to help teach her dog manners, then I would allow another meeting. (ok, off to hide behind the sofa ) If he isn't taught to behave then this could become a problem. The next bitch might not be so friendly. I know that it isn't your problem, your bitch behaved normally, but sometimes it can be helpful for someone like yourself to help in a controlled meeting.

There could also be a bitch in season somewhere nearby that has caused the scent, and he is trying to act accordingly, but with the wrong bitch

Henry has been known to be like this I'm afraid - if the bitch tells him off he will jump back and look startled 'what? how can you not fancy me?' sort of expression! But if I don't then walk straight on and keep calling him he will be straight back on for another try - sometimes I do have to drag him away!

Minor infections (in the bitch) can cause a reaction like this from dogs - have you had your bitch checked out?

Leo is approaching the age of 4 and stll intact - he has never attempted to mate with a dog on a walk (though a black Lab male has tried to mount him!) or when I've had visitors.

Probably living with Daisy (who is older and spayed) has instilled manners into him - she just has to give him one of her looks and knows he had better start behaving

Minor infections (in the bitch) can cause a reaction like this from dogs - have you had your bitch checked out?

I did wonder about that, and am paranoid obviously, bearing in mind the time since her last season. I haven't had her to the vets, but she seems absolutely fine and normal in every other way, and has been near two other entire males very recently who haven't reacted like this. I will bear it in mind though, and keep an eye on her. Do you think it is a reason to take her to the vet with no other symptoms in these circumstances?

I did think it was probably just a manners/socialisation with girls thing, but it just got so out of hand. We have encountered one or two entire males who have tried mounting very enthusiatically in the past, but they have either got the message when she told them off, or continued in their efforts until the owner took them away. It has never turne dinto a fight before.

I'm not keen on using my bitch to socialise the other dog, as she was really quite frightened by the whole thing.

One of my boys got frantically interested in my (spayed) girlwhen she had an eye infection! I'd be more likely (eternal optimist!) to suspect a urinary infection rather than pyo, and of course it might not be due to any infection at all, just canine bad manners, but it's worth bearing in mind, and keeping an eye out for other possible symptoms (frequent urination, etc).

Thankyou. I will do. As I said, I am paranoi danyway, so am always looking out for pyo/urinary infection symptoms.

I am afraid that despite living with a bitch, with whom he is fine, my entire boy LOVES girlies. He gets wildly excited if any other bitches come visiting, and does this mounting behaviour for a while until he gets used to them. I tell him off and stop him, but by far the most effective thing is to let the bitch tell him off! He seems most offended that they are not instantly in love with him   He has never done it in the park though, only if they come to visit us, and never if we go to their house.

Trying to hump a new dog/dog he hasnt met before.... well its 'normal' but its heading towards the 'im excited and not sure what else i should do' side of things and is more often seen in undersocialised and thus insecure dogs.

To then get arsey when told 'No!' by the other dog smacks even more of undersocialised and anxious/insecure dog.

One of mine will hump newcomers, though less so on a walk and much more so if they come into the garden or house. When told no though, he respects that and stops.

Thanks for the replies. It is likely that he is massively undersocialised, most of the dogs here are, sadly. I am walking at least 6 times a day at the moment (having to walk all of mine seperately for training purposes and different needs due to different ages) and considering the amount of people who own dogs, that the beach here is really the only place for walking, other than pavement walking (we live in an army camp in the middle of nowhere) I see suprisingly few out on walks. I have also spoken to a couple of people who have 6-12 month old pups, no idea of how to train them even to sit, who can't afford or be bothered to take them to training classes, or even to meet each others dogs.

I totally agree with you that it is the owner that should be controlling her dog, and not your bitch. It is not up to your sweet bitch to train someone else's dog. It drives me crazy when people say 'Oh let yours tell him off, it will do him good' No! I do not want my dog to train yours by attacking him, YOU train him.

I have had lots of trouble with Chocolate labs (yes, there are some sweet ones too, so not heading for the bunker) but I have had more problems than good experiences, personally, with them.

I would avoid him and if you meet again, tell the woman to keep him on a lead while he is near your girl.

If it is unusual of him to react like this I would be checking your girl out for possible infection. 

Pyometra usually occurs some weeks after a season. 

Could she have an ear infection, wet eczema, or any other sore, as any serous fluid/pus will smell to a male like a bitch in season.

Otherwise I would agree it is very poor manners and socialisation on the dogs part to be so persistent once told to sling his hook, and certainly very off to get aggressive, and I would doubt that he really has never done it before.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for infection just in case, but I am pretty sure it is nothing like that. The fact that when I met her the first time and her dog came over she started to say something and took him away, makes me wonder if it has happened before. Of everyone with dogs here, mine are the only bitches I know of though.

my male who is extremely well socialised & has been shown for the last 4 yrs so well used to being in the thick of things at shows. He has never so much as tried it on with a leg or cushion & lives with an entire bitch who tells to P off when neccessary,-which he accepts, has taken a sudden liking to a young castrated male we meet on walks to the point of embarrassment! He totally ignores the womans entire bitch & humps the poor dog to the point where if e meet he has to go on lead to give the other boy peace! It's the only dog or bitch he's ever done this to.

This is also a dominance thing!! in the male. If he had spent more time around bitches he would have learnt No means No!
My male is far from agressive and is a gentle giant, But! when he gets that "male thing" and starts being silly the girls put him in order.
It is quite common in the male to try and show "I am in charge"
Not all mounting is trying to mate. They can also do it to males.

Denese

Again I am not too happy with it being called dominance, most dogs would not dream of trying it on with a bitch as they, the bitches always have the top hand.

>It drives me crazy when people say 'Oh let yours tell him off, it will do him good' No! I do not want my dog to train yours by attacking him, YOU train him.

dogs learn better from other dogs than from people, it does dogs good to be "told off" by their own kind, its how youngsters learn manners.

Just to be obtuse, my Patterdale bitch likes to hump.  My husband nodded off on the sofa last weekend and woke to find her attached to his hip, grinding away like a black hairy bellydancer.

She also humped a 13 week old puppy in the park - a male choc lab.

I think ma dawg has issues.