I need advice from DK folks who have male dogs....

[Gail and Bailey]

Sorry in advance as this is very specific about male dog behavior and I will have to get graphic.

We have been wanting to adopt or rescue a companion for our one year old female mini goldendoodle and I really wanted another girl dog.  Well, I came across what looked and sounded like the perfect dog who was listed as a courtesy listing through a humane society.  Only glitch was...it is a boy. I had filled out an application and was approved by the present owner of the dog and the manager of the humane location.  Arrangements were made to visit him and we drove 2 hours to see him...taking our girl with us so we could see how they got along.  

I let them know we might not take him with us that day as we wanted to make sure he was "the one". The owner would not be present...just the manager of the humane location. 

Now...let me explain about the dog and what occured when we met him.

 He looked nothing like the pictures....he was very overweight and grooming had been neglected resulting in mats and very long nails.  (His ears were in okay shape and his teeth looked okay as well.)  His manner was very calm and friendly and he seemed to be a happy dog.  The two dogs greeted each other in the traditional manner and for a moment looked as if they would play but he was more interested in us and in just being outside and wandering around. Soon he became interested in our girl and mounted her...we stopped the behavior because our dog was bewildered...he laid down on the ground on his side and licked himself and his penis was exposed out of the sheath all the way down past the bulge at the base.  Having had male dogs in the past I was not surprised.... but when he started humping (just laying there) I was a bit taken back.  We diverted his attention by correcting him and having him get up and we talked to him and petted him.  He kept going back to her and doing the same thing over and over.  We could get him to stop by saying his name and "no" but he kept repeating the behavior.

  Now...my questions are.....

Could this be because he is left home alone all day and he is bored and not able to interact with any other dogs?

Could we count on him not obsessing after he is in a home where he gets attention and exercise?  

I know we can deal with the grooming and weight issues and get him back in shape but I have no experience with a dog being so "sexual" and how to make him stop.

 After being with him and experiencing the "marking" and his other behaviors I remembered why I really wanted another girl.  I don't know what to do.  Am I being selfish if I keep looking for a girl?  He is not in a dire situation and is safe...unlike some of the rescues we read about.  Just need some feedback.

    

[Jennifer and Jack]

My dog Jack liks his penis when he has a UTI. Also, if the hair around his penis is too long it gets stuck in the sheath and causes irritation .

Both were easy fixes. I am not saying that is what is wrong but you did say he was not well groomed. My dog who is well taken care of can get into issues.

I don't know about the humping every once in a while Jack will hump my moms female dog but soon as you say stop he does.

I don't want to talk you into nothing though because getting a og you are not totally sold on is bad news..especially a dog that has already been re homed .

I am so glad you are thinking about it and getting imput.

Best of Luck!

[Shannon and Finn]

You definitely need to go with your instincts but if everything except gender is a go then I can give you my perspective. Having had male dogs I find that humping and marking are easily trainable (pending no medical reasons mentioned already). I don't stop on walks for marking breaks, ever. They can pee once maybe twice but no marking. I haven't ever had issues with marking in my house. My dogs have typically squatted to pee most of the time, although a tree off leash was a target. Humping has never been allowed either and I found that the behavior stopped as a result. I imagine you are considering a trainer if you are rescuing so if you find that it wasn't just excitement from the initial meet and greet I bet a trainer can give you some help. Maybe call one now and get their thoughts on it. I have had male and female dogs and I personally love a neutered boy pup, although not much difference between them in the end. That's just my experience with my guys anyway! Good luck in your search!

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

We have two boys and the humping is rare and is dominance.  It's more the smaller one playing around.  A few humps, it's over and off they go to play.  We've had both since they were 8 weeks old and I've seen the red rocket maybe five times.  Most of those times, it was when my husband or I had been gone on business trips for a few days and returned, they were just so excited that we were home. Neither has ever marked in the house and I can not imagine more loving dogs than my boys.   I don't know that it's a boy or a girl issue but more an issue or what feels right for you.  When we were picking out the boys, I just knew which puppy I connected with.  Although we were thinking of a boy, I didn't rule out girls, I just wanted the right puppy for us.  When I picked each of them up, my instincts told me this was "the one".   I think when you get that feeling, the sex of the dog won't really matter.  It's a big decision and you've gotten a lot of good advise.  I know you will make the right decision for both the dog and you.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really believe this is a behavior that can be changed.  My mini Doodle gets "excited" and humps his much larger brother.  He gets a "full on" erection.  The first time I saw it I could not believe my eyes. He can barely walk when he's in this "state".  I absolutely correct this behavior, and now they both know that this is not something that they will get away with.  They will still try to sneak into another room to do it, but I follow them and put them right into a "time out".  It is rare now, but they will still try it on occasion.  It would not prevent me from adopting a dog who was otherwise a good fit for the family.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I can see your concern and it was hardly a good first impression of this little fellow. I am a firm believer that the right dog will find you, however, it may be the right dog for you, but you might not be the right person for him if your heart isn't totally in it. If his behavior upsets you, and it doesn't change with all the training you could possibly provide will it affect how you feel about him? Will it cause you and Bailey stress?
My Murphy humps Bella once or twice a week while playing and she does the same, however rarely. It isn't aggressive or sexual at all, just doggie play. We stop it if it gets too rough. Murphy was spayed at 7 weeks old and up to a few months ago, I didn't even know he had a red rocket until it just popped out for no reason one day as he was walking around the yard. And he's 31/2 yrs old. He seemed oblivious of it though. Have no idea what brought it out either. Seems some good distraction and training should help this little guy, but that's a decision you have to make and be ready to take on. If you really want a girl, I am sure the right one will show up. There are plenty of rescues out there. I just posted about a 4 yr old in PA. To be rehomed.

[BG and Gavin]

I really think that there may be a medical source to this issue as he didn't appear to be in an excited/dominate state. It sounds like he is seeking some type of relief.  If it is a habit, I think you can easily address it with training and exercise.  Good luck which ever way you go :)

[Bonne Bouche]

At some point, when researching whether we wanted a girl or boy dog, I read a lot about suggesting households to not have 2 females. Of the 4 possible combinations, I recall reading that F/F most often resulted in tension.  Here's an article I read awhile ago... http://canidaepetfood.blogspot.com/2012/02/does-gender-matter-when-...

There are probably more "respected" trainer/research articles out there, thats just one I remember.

my $.02 would be to not pass up the dog because he was male (I love my boy), but if he's not a good fit and/or if you don't connect, hold off without any questions... ;]

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's the same folk wisdom I heard all my life- that of the three possible combinations (2 males, 2 females, or one of each), 2 females was the one most likely to cause problems. When I think off the top of my head about members here who have 2, I can only think of 3 regulars with 2 females: Adrianne with Samantha & Charli, Jennifer with Chloe & Myla, and Sheri with Lucy & Sophie. Of course L & S are littermates, so they had a relationship before they came home.

[Bonne Bouche]

Silly me counting permutations! ;-]

[Gail and Bailey]

Thank you all for your outlook and advice.  It is all very useful to me as I work this out in my brain.  I think the most important thing that I have taken from all of the advice is that "I will know when it is the right dog because it will feel right".  I believe this is true and I am not sure I am feeling it right now.  It is not just the humping thing....I could work on that....I just don't seem to have the passion to bring him home.  If and when we get a second dog it will be "for life" and I want to be sure.  Thanks again.    Now if I could just stop feeling guilty. :(   

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I give you permission to stop feeling guilty.  Follow your heart and head.  Guilt is generally useless and in this case some other lucky dog is going to be yours and that wouldn't happn if you adopted this one.

[Gail and Bailey]

Thanks, Maryann.