Dominant Dogs....Do They Ever Change?

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.

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on December 3, 2011 at 4:07pm

Thanks, Adina. I just wish that Murphy's mistakes wern't quite so drastic.

Permalink Reply by Jen & Ember on December 3, 2011 at 1:41pm

Jane, I wish I had some advice for you, but like BruceGirl, just really want to support you! You are doing an amazing job with Murph and he's so lucky to have you! I don't know if you're truly 'restarting' or 'back to square one', versus building on what he already knows in new ways, with new situations.

Don't be too hard on yourself, or on Murphy. You guys are learning & growing together!

Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on December 3, 2011 at 1:42pm

Thanks, Jen.

Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on December 3, 2011 at 1:31pm

Jane,

I often wonder the same thing. I don't think I will EVER let my guard down with Starlit. I have, but I get slapped back to rude reality fast. I did have a rescue that changed but it was early on.

If I look back on when her behaviors first started I see so much improvement. Well, I see our improvement in handling the situation. I see F.J. and I both agreeing on how to handle my son's coming home, the muzzles, the gates, the corrections. I see US more consistent. I see her, much more aware that this is NOT acceptable. But, I also see her knowing that as soon as I turn my back, she will do whatever she pleases. She HAS learned. She has become so sneaky. To think I ever underestimated her intelligence was stupid on my part. It is hard to believe that these dogs have complex thinking, but honestly, I think at times they do. She knows just when and were and how long it will take to snap and how long it will take me to get to her.

Do they know just when you are not on guard? I think they do. They know when you finally have confidence and trust. That is the time for............................. well you know.

I just hate not being able to TRUST. Without trust, it is a hard relationship. Loving, but never fully there.

Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on December 3, 2011 at 1:34pm

Joanne,

Do you have times where you just feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the fact that there's just no end in sight to the training? With most dogs you go through the training process, and other than the daily reinforcement it's over. I'm wondering if it will ever end with Murphy. Do you sometimes feel that way too?

Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on December 3, 2011 at 1:38pm

Oh I know ours will never end. I know she knows it is not right. She will do whatever she wants... just when I am not paying attention.

Yes, Jane. I get sad often. There is no way I can ever leave her. No one to watch her. I can have no guests. You bet I am frustrated. My vet told me... in no uncertain terms she will NOT get better, she most probably will get worse. I was scolded actually. Reality slapped me in the face. But I knew already but did not want to admit this relationship will never fully be resolved.

I truly LOVE the good days. LOVE THEM. Others days, I am frustrated, depressed, sad, overwhelmed. YES

Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on December 3, 2011 at 1:41pm

Wow....I'm sorry. I know just how you must be feeling. We need to hold onto all those GOOD days.

Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on December 3, 2011 at 2:26pm

The good days, are really really good, aren't they. And WE made that happen. They love us for their good life and helping them along. They really do need our help to live harmoniously in this world. And so beautiful. They are lucky, when we look at them we see beauty. So so beautiful.

I also see, an animal. For that I am grateful. As long as I do not believe that I can change her completely from who she really is, it seems right with me somehow. Like trying to take a lion or bear and make them tame. Or even a deer from the backyard. No way can some animals become domesticated.

I see her reactions as how an animal does react. That keeps me sane. It does not make it better but I do try and understand that many times, with many animals, it is just nature.

Permalink Reply by BG and Gavin on December 3, 2011 at 2:06pm