Why is our neutered dog trying to hump my friends?

[rookiemere]

So rookiedog is 2.5 years old, big breed , neutered when he was about a year old.

Over the past few months he has taken to over-excitedly greeting any female visitors who arrive on the doorstep for a walk with me. Today it was particularly embarrassing as my friend was wearing a light coloured cuddly coat that looked vaguely like a dogs coat. He kept trying to nip at it, after I'd prised him off her legs.

It's not usual for him to behave like this at all, he's normally very placid, he was also quite barky at the start which again is not like him normally but he's been like that a few times the last few walks.

He shows no interest in female dogs.

Any ideas about why he is suddenly behaving like this and also how to stop him ?

Usually excitement or anxiety - it's just a way of releasing lent up emotion - like zoomies

Thanks @Veterinari - maybe he's bored with lockdown too and gets overexcited when he sees my friends?

@rookiemere

Thanks *@Veterinari* - maybe he's bored with lockdown too and gets overexcited when he sees my friends?

Yes quite possibly - my own dog is getting super excited when we see friends on walks as no one comes to the house anymore!

Yes that's possibly it as we've obviously not had anyone inside the house for months, whereas before we'd often have visitors or dinner parties.

I trained mine to 'shake it off' when he got over excited.

So do something even more exciting to get his attention- squeaking, a treat, a squeaky toy etc. Keep his attention away from the friend. As he relaxes he'll probably have a good shake. Use the words 'shake it off' and give another treat.

He'll start to associate a relaxing, stress busting shake with your words and you can instruct him.