Humping

[StillandSilent]

For the past two days, Radar has been humping Lilly every chance he gets. At first, she turned around and snapped at him when he did it, and he would back off for a little bit. Now she just gives me this pitiful look like "Mom, do something!" I correct and reorient him when I catch him. He doesn't even manage to mount her in the correct place, he will mount her side or head just as happily as her backside.
What could be causing this? Lilly is 11 yrs old and Radar is 9. Both are fixed and were fixed fairly early in life. Lilly has always been the dominant one, and Radar has a very submissive personality so he has never challenged her. Could he be making a move to become the new dominant dog? Should I let him take over, or try and protect Lilly? There is no agression involved, just this pesky mounting. Any suggestions on how to control my horny toad?

 

[bittervanityx]

Sometimes mounting is just playing, Zelda does it to Yami all the time, and he gives me the same "Mom, what do I do?!." look.

 

[TheWholePack]

My (female) Italian Greyhound mounts my (male) mixed breed as an invitation to play. The male puts up with it and then they go racing around the yard playing silly bugger (the only game they ever win!) :lol-sign:

 

[StillandSilent]

It doesn't seem like play. When Radar wants to play he usually grabs a toy and squeaks it or runs up to her and barks and dances. When he does this he sneaks up to her, looks around to see if any of the humans are watching and then slowly sidles up and jumps on.
Lilly is understandably annoyed by this. She certainly doesn't see it as a play invitation.

 

[simplymisty]

My female dog also does the same thing. But she'll only do it to our youngest one (another female). She never tries to mount my male and he's very submissive. I agree when she mounts my other female, it's not playing.