My humping cocker spaniel

[Ruben23]

Hi I have a 5 year old male cocker spaniel and recently got another puppy cocker spaniel who is male. All was going well with the 2 of them ,playing ,fighting ,playing , until I took the puppy to the groomers to have a bath and trim and when we came home my older dog will not leave him alone he is constantley humping him and licking his bits and sniffing his bum. I got the puppy at 8 weeks and he is now 20 weeks , this has been going on for a week. The older dog has not been neutered nor the puppy , I don't intend to get either done , neither of them are aggressive only a little nippy with each other . The puppy doesn't like the older one constantley mounting him and snaps at him , which I don't blame . Also when pup is in his cage the older one paces up and down outside the cage . The older one has also started humping his blanket which he never did before . This is driving us mad as when pup goes out to pee older one scrambles to the door to get out after him to sniff where he has peed . I keep telling him no when he goes near puppy but he goes straight back to him . I would be very grateful for any advice as I couldn't bear to get rid of puppy it would break my heart , and I certainly can't get rid of older dog .

[Margot49]

Great.  I think the training will help and you establish yourself as the pack leader.  Just be vigilant for any signs they might start a scuffle.
I used to show dogs and did rescue so have had many dogs here.  Knock wood, never had a dog fight but I was vigilant for any signs like passing with tails up, lifting of lips,mets.  That got a firm "No!" Or "Stop!" From me.

[Ruben23]

Hi thanks again , Ruben (older dog) is a grazer and is not food aggressive but only eats late eve and then not all his food . Murray (puppy) will eat his own (when he feels like it) and then eat anything else in sight . When they get treats I give both at same time and they take them to opposite end of room themselves . Murray is very good with training , sit ,leave , lie down etc as has attended classes and so has Ruben who is better with the leave command ( except to leave Murray at the mo ) . No way would I leave Murray out of a crate at home , but Ruben has not been crate trained as he was very stressed when we tried as a puppy but he is fine to leave on own at home as is well behaved . I have had a quick look at NILF and most of it is what I practise with Murray now . Hopefully Ruben will now learn to leave Murray alone with our constant leave commands etc . I will let you know how we get on , thanks again

[Margot49]

Ok, good they are not left out unsupervised but bith should probably be crated.
Puppy has to learn the rules.  Haven't seen a healthy dog yet that will starve itself.  
Put the food down in their areas, maybe same room but at opposite ends.  Stand in the middle.  Hopefully, the older dog finishes quickly.  Give them about 10 mins then pick up the bowls whether they are done or not.  If puppy goes for the other bowl, correct him and put him by his bowl.  Are you feeding twice a day?  If so, repeat the same at the next meal time.  I think eventually he will get the idea.  
Had a Greyhound with eating issues, he liked to graze.  If I had another Foster here or one I was watching, this is what I did.  After a day or two, he figured out he ate his food or it got picked up.  
Some dogs can be food aggressive which is not good.  I would not give them raw hides, etc unsupervised as the pup will certainly go after whatever us down and you need to correct them.  
Read up on NILF.  
Your pup is becoming a teenager and is going to start testing the waters.  He needs to know his boundaries.
Good time to start basic obedience like Sit, Stay, Leave it.  

[Ruben23]

Hi yes sleeping quarters seem to trigger sometimes , and puppy almost finished first stay training classes so he is no stranger to other dogs etc and is well socialised . Right now they are sleeping peacefully , we both work but the dogs are not left for more than 5 hours at a time and puppy in his cage , both in same rooms , puppy also being a devil with food as he decided he don't want the expensive pup food and is just eating bits cos would rather eat other dogs food ! The way things are going the puppy seems to be looking like the boss as he is not submissive like when first came home .

[Margot49]

Maybe the training will help.  Do look up NILF and you have to be on top of it and consistent.  Do you work and are they left alone? Probably not a good idea.  Really, I can just see this possibly escalating into aggressive behavior unless they work it out and soon.  That pups hormones will be kicking in soon.  
I have told you the benefits of neutering.  Glad your other dog didn't have a orobkem but these are different dogs.  Just because I haven't had a car accident doesn't  mean I never will, so to speak.
Any triggers indoors you notice like near food dishes, sleeping quarters, seeking your attention.  
Hope some training helps.  Please keep us posted and do give some thought to neutering.

[Ruben23]

Hi, thanks for your reply, I was thinking he had the scent of a ***** on him , I bathed him again later the same night but to no avail. I completely understand why you say about neutering but my previous cocker lived to 16 years intact with no problems , I have seen lots of cockers done and I believe it makes the dogs overweight and ruins the coat , I check their bits for changes as advised by the vet . I am going to try as you advised and distract the older with treats , toys etc as the playing between them is not so playful now and I don't want it to turn nasty , they are great outdoors together just indoors they start ! So am hoping I can turn it around . Thanks again

[Margot49]

Sorry, me and this iPad!!

Teach "Leave it" and treat when he does.

[Margot49]

This could be going on for a number of reasons.  With two intact males, and one being younger, this could be a sign of dominance by the older dog.  The pup is obviously tired of it and this could escalate into fighting.  
It is possible the pup came home from the groomer with some scent on him that is attracting the older dog.  Could be something as simple as there being a dog in heat at the groomers.  Try taking a diluted spray bottle of vinegar and water and spray the pup down and rub it in to the coat.  The vinegar smell will go away.  Or rebathe the pup.  
Try distracting the older dog when you see is going to start the behavior.  Teach "Leave it" and great when he dies.  If he has a favorite toy, distract him with playing with the toy.  
They are going to try and establish a pack order.  You have to be the pack leader.
Aside from that, they are less likely to do this if they are neutered.  This really cuts down on the hormones driving this behavior and, in the long run, is healthier for the dog and reduces the risk of Cancer.  I really hope you will consider your decision on this issue.
Good time to start some basic training.  Look up NILF dog training and get started.
Good luck and I hope they don't start fighting.