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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Overly hyper/Mounting

    Hi all. I have a four year old black lab (Bax) who has always been kind of a nutcase, very hyper. The last six or so months he has really calmed down & I thought we had passed that stage until the past couple weeks. We also have a two year old mastiff (Bruschi) who doesn't believe in any kind of activity past walking up and down the patio stairs a couple times a day.

    Anyways - the past two weeks Bax has gone a little crazy with the mastiff. When we go outside, Bax will run out first and then stand in the doorway & block the way of Bruschi. Once he gets outside, Bax will instantly mount him, once I yank him off, he just starts playing rough with Bruschi - grabbing his neck and jumping all over him before they even get off the deck and into the yard. I have started to hold him back so Bruschi can get outside & on the grass before I let Bax out. Inside, he is a little more chill but he still is constantly mounting. Then, he keeps trying to get into the trash which is something he has never done since he was a puppy & we were quick to break him of that habit. When I catch him in the trash and tell him no, I've caught him a couple times turning around & showing teeth. He did it to my daughter when she told him no last week when she saw him eating off the counter. This behavior is REALLY unlike him.

    Healthwise, his left hip has always been a little lame but the vets have not said too much about it. It doesn't seem to bother him unless we go hiking so I'm not sure if there is pain there causing his behavior or what. He also has juvenile cataracts but we've been to a specialist & they have him on daily eye drops. There haven't been too many changes in lifestyle, we had a big move to another state in March but both dogs settled in quite well. I can't figure out what would be causing this behavior. I've read a little bit about stress causing mounting but I don't know WHAT would be causing the stress.

    Any insight at all would be great as I'm at a loss right now.

  2. #2
    House Broken Murrisha's Avatar
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    Oct 2015
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    Is he just mounting your Mastiff or is he that way with other dogs he meets? Knowing his health history, I would take a trip to the vet to rule out problems where that is concerned, especially since this seems like a sudden change. Also, sometimes dogs act out on occasion, that's why training is an ongoing thing. For now, I would make sure to close the garbage can or keep it out of his reach and not leave anything yummy on the counter when someone isn't there to supervise. You also might want to consult a behaviorist if the behavior continues and there is nothing medically wrong, especially if you don't know what could possibly be the stressor. Another thing, is he getting enough exercise during the day? I know you said he has hip issues but if he is hyper, maybe he could benefit from some long walks, swimming, etc.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    has anything changed in your routine? more or less activity? more or less training/attention? working more?
    Generally speaking I find dogs get a bit of extra energy as the weather gets cooler. "winter Rocky" has made his appearance again (my older lab has always been much mellower in the warm summers then re-invigorated every fall).

    Regarding the garbage it's not a battle i care to have with my dogs. Ever. An oucne of prevention is really super easy and a quick fix. I keep the garbage under the sink (and actually use a baby lock when I leave the house). Sure it means using smaller bags but it's worth saving the energy and aggravation of a dog getting into it.

  4. #4
    Puppy
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    It is only our Mastiff that he mounts. Nothing has changed too much in our routine, I stay home all day so I'm only really gone in the evenings when my daughter has sports. Exercise hasn't changed, normal walks & then on weekends we try to get out on a trail & take him with us. The only change (maybe?) is that we got new furniture a few weeks ago & have not allowed the dogs on it, as they were previously allowed on the couch. I will move the trash.

  5. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Are both dogs neutered? Sometimes dogs can be funny around un-neutered males. Maybe there's a new scent to your mastiff? Maybe the lab needs more exercise, not just let out in the yard with the other dog or taken on walks. I don't know how much he gets currently- is there anything you do to wear him out on a daily basis?

    We had bullmastiffs and they were similar in terms of not needing much exercise. Jack was always the best in his class with down/stays because he would just go to sleep.

  6. #6
    Real Retriever Moby and Barley's Mom's Avatar
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    I was wondering if the dogs were neutered as well. I did see Barley (1 1/2 years) occasionally mount Moby (14 years 2 months) before he died but it was very slight and did not happen a lot. I did not like it because it knocked Moby over but this is not the case with your dogs. Both of mine are neutered.
    Forever in my heart - Sweet gentle Moby - lover of belly rubs, bacon, and Barbara 9-10-2001 to 11-2-2015

  7. #7
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    I have 3 labs. Two spayed females and one neutered male. That business about "attacking" when another dog is exiting a door... that's dogs. (I'm assuming this is a bloodless event.) It does not matter which dog goes out the slider first, Rocket Dog, Bridget, or Lee Roy... the first one will play "king/queen of the patio". That's what they do.

    But it's getting cold and I don't want to heat the backyard. So when Dog A exits, spins around and impedes the exit of Dog B... I step out on the patio, grab Dog B out and tell Dog A "Go on! I told you to go POTTY!" By then the log jam is broken up and Dog C joins the group for evening relief.

    Trash... get a trash can with a latching lid.

    Now... showing teeth... NOT acceptable. Figure out if the dog has physical issues. If none, then consult a behaviorist. I don't think you can dink around with that.

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TuMicks For This Useful Post:

    Annette47 (11-18-2015), windycanyon (11-18-2015)

  9. #8
    Senior Dog ZoeysMommy's Avatar
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    He sounds bored to me. He is still young, i would up the daily exercise and mental stimulation and see if that helps.

    Now that the weather is cooling off, my 6 year old lab and corgi are both driving me nuts, they certainly need much more exercise and training when its cool out compared to the summer months or they will terrorize me, my house and each other

    Trash is easy, put it out of sight and keep food off your counters. Dogs are opportunists, if you give them a reason to misbehave, most of them will

  10. #9
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Training training training. I second the behaviorist after you make sure this is not due to some changing eyesight or other health issue.

    You may just need to find a very direct no non-sense obedience instructor to give you a private lesson or 3. I was pretty surprised at some of the basic behavior issues that my obed friend was asked to address in private lessons last weekend here locally (my way of saying, you aren't alone w/ pack issues etc!).
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