Older dog behaviour change

[mygoodboy]

My labradoodle is now 10 years old. He's always been very well behaved and good natured and has always been completely reliable off lead.

Over the last two years his behaviour has become increasingly problematic in one particular area, he increasingly wants to hump other dogs!!

He was neutered at the appropriate age when we first got him and he doesn't care if it's boy or girl dogs he's humping so it doesn't seem to be sexual but then he's never been a dominant dog either so I don't know what's going on.

He is never aggressive and so far his targets haven't retaliated with aggression either but my dog walker has reported that it's become so annoying that another dog owner was furious with her and she now keeps him on a lead (which he has never been used to!).

I'm now wondering if there's anything I can do improve his behaviour? Can anyone suggest anything.

To avoid drop feeding some things that might be related...

He had a fairly nasty operation about 2 years ago to remove some fatty lumps deep in his chest and a growth on his paw (all ok).

Also about 2.5 years ago the dog walker we had since he was a puppy moved away which was probably quite significant for the dog.

Any ideas?

I would get a vet check asap. Sometimes medical problems, such as tumours, can increase testosterone levels in a dog and, while unlikely, it's worth ruling this out.

Other options may be:

• dogs can hump when nervous. This tend to happen even more when it's nerves and excitement mixed. An older dog may be getting increasingly nervous as he gets increasingly frail.

• he's learned it gets him something he wants. Maybe it feels good or maybe he likes the extra attention it brings - especially if he's been laughed at a few times for it.

Your walker (if amenable) should be focussing on calling him off other dogs and rewarding him when he leaves them alone. Perhaps only pairing him with dogs you both are sure he is relaxed around - the more 'boring' the better.

Thanks for the response. I will get him checked out ASAP, he does have one growth that the vet wasn't worried about (just a fatty lump apparently) but it has got a bit bigger.

The dog walker has noticed that he is better behave when she takes him further away from home for his walks so maybe it's a bit territorial?

Although he's now classed as an older dog he isn't showing any signs of frailty, but I suppose you can't really tell.

I'm grateful for your tips, I'll be working on it myself and the dog walker seems really keen to help too.