Dominant Dogs....Do They Ever Change?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

As you all know, Murphy is a real challenge.  He is very pushy and his overall "personality" is dominant.  He is always testing, and spends every waking minute trying to figure out how to take over the house.  We have him on a pretty "tight leash" because of this....he has to earn everything and I correct every time I see him display dominance.  It's a full time job, but as a result he is now usually real good around the house, and the bullying of Guinness is under control.  The thing is I have to watch him like crazy, because that underlying mindset is always there....he's just looking for me to slip up.  Outside the house is a whole different story, and we are still dealing with his on leash reactiveness to some dogs.  I can take him on 10 walks and he'll do fine, and then on the eleventh walk something will set him off and the results are a disaster.  That's a whole different discussion though.  My real question is do dogs like this ever really change?  Will he be like this forever, and will we constantly have to manage his environment to the degree we do now?  We had a real bad dominance incident yesterday, and so now he's on "lock down" again.  He knows that I'm in no mood for him to push it so he's "tiptoeing" around me.  But I know him, and he'll be right back testing again....probably by this afternoon.  I've asked my trainer this, and he just keeps saying that all dogs are different and "lets not get too ahead of ourselves".  So, I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience with a dog like Murphy, and did it change as the dog got older?  Please say yes.

[Carol Brand]

Sorry, no.  In my experience, dogs like this are hardwired for life.  As a handler you get better at reading the signs and heading a dog off at the pass.  Dogs also slow down as they get older.  However, I know a 9 year old Poodle bitch who is still very dominant.  She believes it is her job to school other dogs in public if she thinks they are stepping out of line.  She won't do it if she believes that her handler has control of the situation, but if she is with an unsure or timid handler, she will step up her game.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Not at all what I was hoping to hear, Carol....but thanks for this honest feedback.  I do need to face this realistically.

[Kyoko]

Yeah, this was what I was told by Charlie's former trainer. She is the same way as Murph. Somedays, she just bark and lunge at the dog that passes by us at the park, other days, she is fine. I am all about positive reinforcement and never told her "NO" nor yanked her collar, however, I thought about putting a bark collar ( the one with the citrinella spray)on her while we are out!! :-(  I thought that things may change since Butter had passed and she is now the only dog, but no.... Butter was definately the dominant dog. However, he never ever needed to show any type of dominant behaviors nor aggression towards any dogs nor people. They jusy knew. Charlie always waited until he walked away from something, if she wanted that....

[BG and Gavin]

I don't have experience to share with you on this, but I want to support you.  I believe that certain dogs are hard wired certain ways and that's why some dogs with next to no training can do very well while others can't.  I also beleive the purpose and philosophy of training is to teach the dog a behaviour in certain instances so that he does not react the way he would naturally react but instead react the way you want him to out of habit (training).  So it stand the more you reinforce the habit, the more it will occur.  That's why reacting his way on walks only happens 1/11 times instead of 11/11 times.  And he dosen't pick on Guiness anymore because you have trained and reinforced that behaviour 24 hours a day for the past year - you can, because you are in it.  Outdoor behaviour only gets trained one hour a day, because that is the only time you can devote to walks. Will you ever be able to trust him 100 percent without supervision - probably not, but in the years to come that number may rise to 99 percent.  I also believe they mellow a bit as they age.  Right not Murph is nearing his peak of energy and physical prime.  I know it was a tough day yesterday and I hope you are feeling better today.  No shame in using lockdown - good for you and good for him.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you, BG.  I have been a little "down in the dumps".  Murph knocked me to the ground yesterday, and as I was laying flat on my back on the bike path trying to hold the end of his leash I felt so many emotions.  I was so angry at him, and at the same time I just felt sad.  This after a few weeks of great work.  Just the day before I had walked him right past an out of control boxer with no reaction.  Just when I get excited and think we may be turning the corner he does something like this completely out of the blue.  Back to square one....yet again.  I just don't know how many more of these "restarts" are in me....I suppose as many as it takes.  Anyway, I really, really appreciate your support.

[BG and Gavin]

No, no, no Jane - not back to square one!  Just another stumble.  I know you have had so many and you have been so persistent.  I wish he was easier for you.  Not to be a Polly Anna (as I know it dosen't help) but look how far he has come.  If you had not put the work in, he would be out of control 10 out of 10 times and not accepted at things like daycare and boarding or worse yet, given up or even more worse euthanized.  You just need to recharge your batteries and you will be good to go again.  I think you should go out for dinner tonight an have a little doggie vacation.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You're right.  We are going out to dinner tomorrow and then to see Cesar.  Our big night out (anniversary) will be filled with "dog training".  We have to take our son with us because I don't leave him alone at night....we told him we were going to a "comedy show" to get him to agree.  Won't he be surprised.  I wonder how long it will take him to realize he's not in a comedy club.  LOL

[BG and Gavin]

I dunno, according to some Cesar and his theories are "laughable."  I however, would love to see him.  Is there a chance you could seek specific advice for Murphy?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Maybe...we supposedly have backstage passes.  We'll have to see.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is too funny, Jane. We do this kind of thing to my mom nowadays too.  Just 'tweaking' the mindset!

[Adina P]

Exactly, not back to square one at all.  Just hiccups.  I guess one thing my trainer has said in the past is that dog training is not like programming a computer.  You can't just do all the 'right things' and then have a dog that never ever every makes a mistake.  One of her trainer friends has an airedale that keeps him on his toes.  He has his Companion Dog title and is well trained, but training doesn't take the dog's natural personality away.  This particular dog would LOVE to find a dog to get scrappy with...for no reason sometimes.  It's just his thing.  Yet, under command he's very good.  But if he were just left to his own devices...he would be very naughty =)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

BINGO.  Starlit is very well trained on command.   I'm proud.  But if given a chance... well she loves a good scrappy butt now and then.