Is this Domiance?

Yes. However, at this age it is usually more like dominance "play" in order to test what they can get away with.

If you address these behavior now, it will be easier than waiting until he's an adult (around 2 years). This is when the they become more serious about asserting their position within their social group, pack, or family.

Cool breed. Since I doubt you have any wild boar hunters in your area, finding another activity like tracking might be helpful in giving him a job to do so he can learn to work cooperatively with you towards a goal.

Angelique

Yes. However, at this age it is usually more like dominance "play" in order to test what they can get away with.

That's what I think, too.

Yup, definitely testing.

 I'd start giving incompatible commands when he's attempting the test.

He wants to lie down: doggy pushups.

He wants to get up on the couch:  Sit, stays.

I will take the "D" word out of it and just say that it definitely sounds pushy to me...  Which, makes sense around his age - he is testing, which is normal, and great that you see it for what it is and don't let it go so it won't be a problem. 

I would get on him to "off" the first time (and listen to everything you say the first time - hehehe in a perfect world ), by working it more when he isn't trying to take over the couch - and by reinforcing his listening the first time very heavily.  I will say - it is probably going to be easier for you to tackle this now than 6-12 months down the road!!

dgriego

 

He is tracking and weigh pulling now or at least we have started teaching him these activities. he is a handfull and I sure wish I could keep a wild boar in the backyard!

Yeah, but then you'd need to get two more Dogos!

Angelique

Yeah, but then you'd need to get two more Dogos!

LOL well I need to win the lottery for sure then as I could not handle three dogo's and work and take care of a family!

Hektor will try and get on the couch and when told "off" he will swing his hindquarters over and put them on the couch partially, when told "off" he will bark, when you push his hindquarters away from the couch he will turn, bark and place one foot on the couch and will do this until we get up, telling him "no off" and remove him to his bed to lie down. Some times he will do this once and be content, other times he will continue this off and on several times.

he's training YOU- look at all the attention he's getting when he doesn't obey your command, you're reinforcing him for disobedience.

Might work better to give him attention when he's not-on-the-couch.

mudpuppy

Hektor will try and get on the couch and when told "off" he will swing his hindquarters over and put them on the couch partially, when told "off" he will bark, when you push his hindquarters away from the couch he will turn, bark and place one foot on the couch and will do this until we get up, telling him "no off" and remove him to his bed to lie down. Some times he will do this once and be content, other times he will continue this off and on several times.

he's training YOU- look at all the attention he's getting when he doesn't obey your command, you're reinforcing him for disobedience.

Might work better to give him attention when he's not-on-the-couch.

Bingo - take away his payoff for the naughty behavior.  Catch him doing something right instead, and then give him your attention.   

yeah, dgriego, pay attention to your dogs once in a while when they're NOT misbehaving, why don't ya? That's all you need to do! Just... don't give him any commands because that's attention and you're reinforcing his bad behavior. Giving commands just sets him up to fail! When he's doing something naughty, just ignore him and wait till he does something good, THEN praise him. I bet you won't have any more problems.  

LOL

  Yes I agree!, I am going to work hard on this!

spiritdogs

Bingo - take away his payoff for the naughty behavior.  Catch him doing something right instead, and then give him your attention.  

Ha, never mind correction.......this seems the perfect plan for a pushy dog.....eh......

Xerxes

Yup, definitely testing.

 I'd start giving incompatible commands when he's attempting the test.

He wants to lie down: doggy pushups.

He wants to get up on the couch:  Sit, stays.

 

Others can be as sarcastic as they want, but your suggestion is much more effective.  Of course, it requires an owner who has previously trained the dog to respond to those commands fluently;-)  Thanks for posting it, though - good reminder to others to get those behaviors installed in very young puppies, so that when they get to adolescence, you'll be able to use them to remind the dog that he is not in charge.