posted 08-19-2003 09:24 AM         

I would guess he is doing it as a dominance behavior. I'm not an expert but I would have the three boys each assert themselves, being firm in tone have them tell the dog "NO" or "leave it". Then put him on a sit/stay. If they are your sons friends...I'll assume your son is always present. Have him make your dog work for everything, meaning he has to do something (sit..down..shake) before he gets anything. This includes affection. Before he gets to go outside he has to sit at the door, before he gets his food he has to perform some command. (If need be this can be done with each kibble of food to really enforce your point). This will show your dog that your son is above him in the "pack". It would then be your son who is in charge when his friends are over and up to him to make sure his dog is behaving with manners. I would NOT verbally berate the dog, no yelling and griping at it continuously. A quick "leave it!", if he keeps repeating it, remove him from the room.

posted 08-20-2003 12:59 AM         

As far as explanations go I have to agree with what maisey has said as she made some very valid points. The following paragraph is one I came across on a site:
When we again turn to the wolf, we will see they employ the same behaviors-and they do it to demonstrate their dominance. It is not an attempt to breed, when a dog humps your leg, or when one male dog humps another dog (dominant female dogs use the same tactic). It is simply a display of dominance. It’s one wolf or dog saying to another, “I am dominant and I will do with you as I please, and you must submit.”
You can find it at http://www.angelfire.com/tx6/patch/AUTHtest.html

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Patience is a Virtue...
Anger is a Gift

[This message has been edited by Rich (edited 08-20-2003).]