I have a 8 mth old GSD, who has since 6 mnths old been humping when he is excited eg, a young child came up to him
to pet him, and of course this happened, also started doing
it at the club, I have him on a prong and long line most of the time as he has a tendency to disobey commands, I know it could be partly hormonal, but was wondering if anyone else had experienced this, this is my first male dog, that has done this.

I just have a quick question. When he does this (it's a dominance gesture) how do you correct him?

Well Elaine, I have been ignoring it, hoping it would go away,but of late it has increased, it happens at the most in opportune times,last week when the helper came on the field the moment he saw him he started this, so different things seem to trigger it off, just not sure whether to carry on ignoring it, and pray he outgrows it.It is just so embarrassing as I just don't know what I should do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Is this normal, I was told he may have a bladder infection, but we tested for it it was negative,
the vet just collapsed with laughter, when we told him the
problem, no one at the entire club had an explanation for this. At least I know now it is a form of dominance.
Thanks for that, any idea how to manage this or do I need to sit tight and hope he outgrows it?

Well, hallelujah! Finally someone has had the same experience! My very first post on this board was asking anyone if they could tell me just what in the hell my male 5 month old was doing!! He is my first male too so I didn't know if this was what they do!?! It certainly didn't seem right but, what the hell do I know? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Dominance?? That's a new one to me. No one back then really answered my post except someone named Doug who was trying to be very helpful but couldn't quite help without seeing the dog in action, so to speak. My vet, the breeder, two trainers, my friends, not a one could help. I am so happy to see I wasn't crazy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> ! Explaining it was almost as hard as watching it. My vet thought it was funny too. I wasn't laughing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> . For me it was more scarey than embarrassing.

He started at 5 months old, would started humping the air at random times. Happened about once a month, maybe a little more. It was always when he was happy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, no joke. It happened a lot in the morning when I let him out of his crate. I even thought maybe it was some form of localized type seizure. I've seen what looks like drops of clear liquid or urine in the spot where he would do this. He's very aware as it's happening and I've pretty much determined it's nothing at all to do with seizures.

It seemed to happen more often as he got older, till about 11 months. Now for the good part...after 11 months, it occurred less often! He's now 14 months old and just did it about 1 week ago but before that, it was several weeks ago. And when he does do this now, they seem to be shorter in duration.

When he was younger, I would call him to me as he was doing it. For example, if I let him out of the crate and began petting him and he would start the humping, I would get up, walk about 5 feet and call his name to get him to focus on me instead of his bizarre behavior. It seemed to help a little. I never, ever corrected him for it.

I'm really intrigued now. I didn't know anything about it being a dominance issue. Are you certain about that?

I have read on the site that humping is a dominance gesture but the only context I saw it in was with other dogs or people. I will say that my (non-dominant) lab used to do what you are describing when she was young. She has largely outgrown it except when she gets excited with a new toy or her pillow. To my non-professional eyes it seems to just be generated by excitement. Good luck, it sure is embarassing.

It can be hormonally based or a gesture of dominance. As an expression of dominance, it can be directed toward humans or other dogs (or animals). Often times the dog gets physical satisfaction out of it & that helps perpetuate the cycle of the activity. If you get what I mean. Judy, in your case, after seeing your dog, my guess is that it is hormonal with some self gratification....your dog is not at all dominant.

Have you considered that your dog might not be what you thought you were getting. I'd talk to the breeder. Randy Quade had the same problem with his Rott. in Christmas Vacation when he told Chevy Chase "Clark, Just let him finish, he's got a little Arkansas Leg Hound in him". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

More seriously, when we first brought our pup home he decided to test our Staff female by going up behind her and humping. She didn't seem to care but I did. Happened twice, both times I told him NO! and at the same time did the Cesar Milan correction by stiffening my fingers (mimicking a bite) and pushing him on the side right above the shoulder. After two corrections he hasen't done that behaviour since. That correction is extreamly non-violent and the dog gets it, they understand absolutely that you don't want them doing what ever it was they were doing. That correction has worked on my Staff to leave another dogs food bowl alone (three different times was all it took) and I'm going to adopt a dobe that was severly abused from the local animal shelter. When she was in the office of the shelter she got excited and put her front paws up on the counter. Since I don't allow dogs to do that in my home I corrected her using this method. She got off the counter and immediately laid down and went submissive showing her belly. Her and I have developed a relationship and once her treatment is done (heartworm) she will be coming home. Since that time when the counter attendant talks to her she sits and wants attention but she does not get on the counter anymore. It works. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all for the replies, he was at it again this weekend,he does not mount my other dogs at home or people and has a very easy going nature, this weekend, me going over to touch a puppy while my husband held him set him off someone recommended doing more obedience, Bit difficult when he is in knots, just going to see if it just goes away with time, Judy said hers eased off, after 11 mnths so I will just ignore it for now.
You are right Glenn, I think I got more dog, maybe than I
had bargained for, Hubby keeps telling me to laugh it off,
a bit difficult when the whole club collapses in laughter evrytime they see me, and ask howz "golden balls"