Ideas how to seperate littermates to teach independance

I would try to control that situation a lot more. Separate them so that poor ole Mason doesn't have to deal with that. Mason may decide one time that he is sick of that rudeness and have a little tszu snack! (prevention is the best medicine)

Thanks dogslife.  I agree it is bad behavior - I just don't know how to fix it yet []
I respond to the rude behavior with a harsh NO and LEAVE IT.  Considering the obstacles I had with getting Mason to this point (he came to me as a large unruly backyard dog/stray with NO training at all) - I'm SO proud of his progress.  I can put him in a sit/stay while I deal with (remove) the bratty little tzu.  He obviously trusts me to take control of the situation, so I make sure I don't let him down. 

This is why right now I have to put the tzus in their crate if I have Mason out in the same room and put Mason in the crate when the tzus are out.  When I am able to concentrate all of my focus on the dogs' interactions, I do allow them all out together while Mason is on leash.  He will ignore them unless they get all crazy around him.

It is another reason that I want to get the tzus better socialized and more confident with their status.  I didn't realize they had issues until I brought Mason in.[]

Sigh.... I hope I'm doing this right[8|]

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

Can you share your opinion on whether or not I should "push" Willie through the next level obedience class even though he truly does not enjoy it. Should I look for a different class?

can you find something more fun, like a clicker-trick class or beginner agility class? If he's really not having any fun at all I don't think class will help him. Maybe just go different places and play silly games with him until he enjoys going to different places?

Is Willie in a general class, or one that is just for small dogs?  Sometimes, you can build confidence in a small dog if they can attend a class just for the petite pals.  Also, agility is a great confidence builder, and some dogs that are freaked in class do fine in agility class because there are fewer dogs and the distance between them is greater.

Have you considered all dogs sleeping in their own space?  Alone? 

Our big dog, Zeus has never needed to sleep with mom/dad. The pom went into screaming fits at the prospect of sleeping alone.

We just said no.

He got over it.  He is NOW allowed with others...as long as he keeps his head about him.

All doors are open.  He can sleep with whomever he choses.  99.99% of the time he choses his own bed. 

Is Willie in a general class, or one that is just for small dogs? Sometimes, you can build confidence in a small dog if they can attend a class just for the petite pals. Also, agility is a great confidence builder, and some dogs that are freaked in class do fine in agility class because there are fewer dogs and the distance between them is greater.

He is in a general Basic Obedience Class with mostly large breeds; out of about 15 dogs, there are 3 other small breeds in the class.  I have not been able to find a "small breed" class in my area.  I really wanted to get him involved in Agility to boost his confidence; I thought he would love it.  He loves the clicker training that I do with him at home.  But Basic Obedience is a pre-requisite for Beginner Agility at the place we're at now.

I'm happy to hear that it's still possible that he may enjoy agility even though he doesn't like the class he's in. 

What are your thoughts on the link to the other school that I posted above?  Is it "legal" to ask you that here or should I PM you instead?[8|]