So I Am Not The Alpha Dog Any More...

[EndersDame]

I hate to admit it but yesterday my little 15lb 5 mos old pup has started challenging me for role of Alpha.

I asked for advice a couple of months ago and seemed to be getting results but as of yesterday she is starting to really act up and I want to nip this behavior in the bud. I just dont know what has gotten into her lately if she were a human I would think she had just quit cigarettes cold turkey or in need of a lay badly!

I take her to the dog park everyday . Which has helped alot in getting her socialized and exercised.

I noticed that she and bigger dogs got carried away
(no one is getting hurt but it seems a little too intense) I split them up and she has started biting my hands(today and yesterday)! She is starting to bite at my pants and leash when we go somewhere she does not want to go(esp. when we leave the park, at that point i just pick her up) again . Hand clapping worked at first but she does not respond to that like she used too. I just purchased a spray bottle and was wondering if anyone had any advice?

[LiberalFighter]

1. She needs to learn the commands. She needs to focus on you.

When her attention wanders off you need to hand bite her or foot tap her.

[EndersDame]

2. please explain..

She knows sit lie down etc... it seems to go out the window when I go to the dog park

[LiberalFighter]

3. Try on a leash a few times in the dog park before allowing her off leash.

I do that with dogs that I foster in my back yard. I also walk them around the perimeter of the yard. That part you shouldn't need to do if the dog park is enclosed.

It probably takes stages before you should just let her have the run of the park. On a leash until she is behaving appropriately. That means she is not distracted by other dogs. When she is distracted you bring her attention back to you.

[undeterred]

4. I'm having that struggle too.

My dog knows what I want and sometimes he refuses to obey.

Regarding the biting. My dog is kinda "mouthy" too, as he is a herding dog and that's how they move other animals. He has nipped me on the thighs and butt to get me to move. We didn't pass the Canine Good Citizen test because we flunked walking on a leash- he was herding me with little nips the whole way.

The remedy is to stop dead in your tracks. The dog wants to move you, so don't move. Usually that works. My dog also bit at me during an agility class. The instructor told me to put my hand all the way into his mouth when he does that! Then he gets more than he bargained for.

My dog never wants to leave the dog park. If he is actually tired, hungry, and thirsty its easier for me to get him on a leash- so I try to give him all the time he needs. But sometimes I have to have other people catch him and turn him over to me- he's very friendly, so this works, but I shouldn't have to do it.

Today he snuck out of the dog park under the fence and was running around an open area. From past experience I have learned not to chase him or yell at him. I just stayed calm and wait for him to come back, which he did. Then I just put him in the car and went home. At home we practiced the "come" command. When I went back to the park later I never let him off the leash. He wasn't very happy about it and was pulling the leash and whining. I made him sit down. Tomorrow he's going to stay on the long leash (15 ft) while we keep practicing the come command. I hope he starts making the connection between obedience and freedom!

[mopinko]

5. i am getting older, and the last struggle with a dog really

made me think that i will be too old for big dogs, soon. i have been thinking that i should start adopting older dogs, and save myself the whole puppy thing. but having my daughter's big dog join the family, a dog that has needed a couple of clonks on the head, lets me know that i am struggling to be the big dog in my house. and i am barely strong enough for it.
right now i have a son who we call little cesar who has helped this dog tremendously. not sure how long he will be around, tho. i suppose even when you start with a pup, eventually they hit the age where you have to prove you are bigger.
i love my little dogs. but i have always had a big dog around, and will try to continue that for as long as i can. but damn.....