Dog Community

Puppy dominates

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:34:06 AM

Our 6 month old puppy thinks she needs all the attention. Everytime we play with our other 2 dogs, she's rude and has to be the center of attention. Even when I'm on the phone, Spunkie barks and twangs to go outside-just like a child. Of course, I know she is just trying to get my attention and I ignore her behavior.
She has all her adult teeth but continues to bit in a playful way. Everyone is getting a bit annoyed with her but she is a great dog...just needs some discipline.
Any ideas????

jones

Posted : 8/20/2006 10:42:32 AM

Obedience training.

This is NOT "dominant" behavior, it's normal adolescent behavior. She needs to learn how to behave and how to have a little self-control. Enroll her and yourself in a group obedience class, it will give you a lot of tools for training, teach her to have self-control in an exciting environment, and strength your bond with her. Look for a clicker training class or one that uses positive reinforcement methods.

Caprice Christian

Posted : 8/21/2006 10:59:19 AM

Yup, she needs training! My 4 month old puppy is the same way... but with training she is slowly getting her manners.

Lori

Posted : 8/21/2006 3:34:40 PM

Yep, our 5-month-old is the same way...a WONDERFUL dog, but definitely in the "trying teens"!! I agree, we have him in a beginner training class and it is making a big difference. The thing I am finding works with the play nipping is being very consistent with taking away our attention. He learns that playing too rough means the play stops immediately.

Wendy Sieg

Posted : 8/23/2006 8:46:29 AM

Thank you everyone.
Spunkie did start a dog training class and it's going pretty good. We've met 4 times but this issue hasn't been addressed. We don't have this problem in the class when we pay attention to the other dogs in front of Spunkie. It only happens when we're at home with our other two.
A few days ago I went to my daughter's puppy class and they used the clicker. I was impressed and I started to work with Spunkie this way. Time and practice will tell. I'm also working on "off " command.

PS Funny how these dogs go through the same "stages" as kids !

Erica

Posted : 8/23/2006 10:26:07 PM

When she play bites (mouths) yelp OUCH and walk away from her. This will teach her that when she bites, the fun stops. You have to be concistant with this though. Everytime, OUCH and walk away.

mudpuppy

Posted : 8/24/2006 2:11:47 PM

"Everytime we play with our other 2 dogs, she's rude and has to be the center of attention. Even when I'm on the phone, Spunkie barks and twangs to go outside-just like a child. Of course, I know she is just trying to get my attention and I ignore her behavior. "

ah, this is a great training opportunity. You have three dogs in the room. Pick the one doing what YOU like best in a dog, and go pay attention to that dog and ignore the other two. Repeat over and over again. Eventually you'll end up with the world's politest dogs, who compete for attention by trying to out-polite each other.