Any advice please.

Kenny is 9 months old, and more resently has taken great pleasure out of " humping" excuse the expression every cushion he can get at. Also, he's become quite distructive. Our family has been through quite alot in the past year, we've lost 2 family members and we've also moved house. So i feel his distructive behaviour could be that he's picked up on the stress and anxiaty around the house. I dont really want to get him neutered, but would if it's best for him. I feel he's a very confused and unsure. please help

Hey, I have never had a male so not going to be a lot of help. I do no at that sort of age they will start to push boundries and your going to have to be very firm.

thanks janey

So sorry for your loss. Moving home is considered to be as traumatic. The atmosphere in the home may well have contributed. Think of him as beeing the equivelent of a 14/15 year old boy. He is dealing with raging male hormones. Testing boundries is normal behaviour at this stage. You will need to revert to the basic and remain firm now especially. Just be calm but consistent with your boundaries and dont let him get away with anything you find to be unacceptable behaviour.

good advice given, hope everything sorts itself out

I'm so sorry that you've been through so much in such a short space of time.

Kenny will definitely be picking up on the stress & anxiety (both so understandable) in the home right now, and that could well be the cause of his destructiveness. I doubt that it's anything to do with him being entire. All you can do with that at the moment is to try to remove anything that can be destroyed while he'd not in your sight, and to teach him a really strong "leave" for when you actually see him start to chew anything. Maybe a crate for when you're out could help with this?

The humping, I'm afraid is so normal for a dog that age. His hormones are really starting to rage. I sympathise because I also have an un neutered male & went through exactly the same thing at the same age! Neutering may or may not solve the problem. Either way, I personally wouldn't even think about neutering until he's at least 18 months, preferably older (if at all!). At his age neutering could arrest his mental growth & possibly even his physical growth, and if this is the only problem you have, then I wouldn't do it.

Again, a strong "leave" will help, but you might have to resort to what I did....every time I left the room I'd put all the cushions on the top of the chairs/sofa to take away the temptation! Even now, occasionally he'll try - but he gives me a sideways glance first to see if I'm looking!

Thanks, you've been so helpfull. I'll certainly try you tips, thanks

good luck and let us know how it goes

He could likely be testing his boundaries and it's very normal for them to do so. Back to basics and be consistant and it should sort itself out

i dont want to get him neutered but asked our vet what opions there are, aparently theres an implant, its given the same way as a micro chip, it lasts 6 months and gives you an idea of how the dog will be if neutered, personally id rather leave him be

i would that yes he would be picking up on your stress. Neutering does not always solve the problems, try using a firm NO or LEAVE.

I would suggest that if you do get him neutered to leave this until he is about 18 months - 2 years old.

kenny d wrote:i dont want to get him neutered

why is that? just curious

Im just dont want to put him through the discomfort. If it was medically necessary the i would. I think it's unnatural to remove his bits.

kenny d wrote:i dont want to get him neutered but asked our vet what opions there are, aparently theres an implant, its given the same way as a micro chip, it lasts 6 months and gives you an idea of how the dog will be if neutered, personally id rather leave him be

Yes, the suprelorin implant inhibits the production of testosterone & mimics the effects of castration to an extent. Although it won't be exactly the same, it will give an idea of the possible effects of neutering.

I've never had a male but you're probably right, the stress and anxiety he's picking up will be from the move and loss of family members.
All I can suggest is when the act up and misbehave and push boundries is go back to basics and be firm.
Good luck!