Dominant Puppy Behavior

[Carol and Banjo]

Our adorable little 13 wk old Banjo has started to show increasingly dominant behavior.  It was pretty clear right from the get go that Banjo was probably the dominant pup of his litter.  We've been very consistent with providing plenty of outdoor and indoor exercise. Today he has actually started barking at me - as if challenging me.  Up to now he has been a very quiet
pup and we've commented about the fact that he doesn't bark.  We've taught him basic commands - sit, down, stay and he does them very well with treats - and just so-so without treats.  We have limited resources in our area for puppy classes.   We will have
to wait til early May for the next available class.  We want to establish our leadership position and make it clear that Banjo is not the pack leader.    I'm not even sure that puppy classes will address this issue.   Can anyone give me some tips on how ways to correct Banjo when he is trying to take the upper hand?   All in all he is a great little puppy!  We just want to make sure that he knows his place in the pack! : )

[Adina P]

You have mentioned barking at you, but else does he do that you consider 'dominant' behavior?
After raising Rosco (who was JAWS incarnate and very pushy with me when he felt like it) I think your best bet is to use the "Nothing In Life is Free" until you can start obedience classes. (You can google Nothing in Life is Free or NILIF). It's just simple things to reduce chaos. I'm not a big fan of the whole "dominance" theory--I think there is some truth to it and some dogs do exhibit more dominant characteristics...but I don't think it is as black/white as the old theory made it seem.

NILIF is essentially a way to take control of basic situations where a pup/dog might try to take control...and remind the pup to look to you and not try to push his way through situations.

My other tip to you is to remember you are WAY bigger and WAY smarter than Banjo. No matter what he does at this age...he absolutely cannot physically or mentally win. He can't. While I do NOT recommend showing off to him how physically strong you are...let the fact that you ARE stronger sit in the back of your mind to ease your worries. In the meantime use your mental superiority ;-) to win.

Keep him on leash and supervised when possible (well supervised and on leash must always be true together but the 'when possible' had to do with being on leash at all). Don't let him practice bad behavior--distract him with something else. I thought for a long time that you HAD to show a puppy he was wrong any time he did something bad...but I've changed my mind. When you are able to begin serious obedience training (as in really working on the hard stuff once and practicing lots and getting results that are generalized) MOST of this will take care of itself. It really will...because you'll be able to tell him what to do and he'll do it and if he's doing sitting, staying, heeling, etc...he can NOT do the bad stuff.

But mostly remember that you ARE his leaders and he's just a tiny, naughty puppy. He can't hurt you and you won't let him get his ways because with NILIF you'll set some structure, he can go to his crate when you've had enough, and with future obedience and lots of practice you WILL win the upper hand.

[Carol and Banjo]

Adina - I did as you suggested Googling NILIF and found lots of good, informative material that I've already put to use! We were already practicing some of the stuff...such as sitting for entrance/exit to house, for food, etc. It is a mind-set for sure. You asked what other displays of dominance. To be specific, he has started attempting to block my path (especially in the house when he sees me heading away from where he wants to be) at which time I shuffle my feet along rather than going around him. This is when he starts barking and has even "puppy growled" at me. He will also jump and grab at my pant legs in his attempts to stop me. My response to all of this is to move him to his crate. I'm not even sure these are signs of dominance. But they are clearly undesirable. Thanks again for the NILIF info - it really seems like common sense, easy to implement advice.

[Adina P]

It doesn't matter, really, whether these are 'dominant' behaviors or not does it ...when you know they are UNDESIRABLE for you. Either way you'd want to end the behaviors, right? So you might as well look at it as a toddler trying to get his way...it's far less intimidating than thinking you have a "dominant" dog. And the less you are intimidated by your puppy... the better!

[Lynne B]

I am not an advocate of the 'pack leader' Cesar Milan method of dog training. I find that it frequently ends up with a lifelong struggle between the dog and it's owner, with the owner sometimes becoming so concerned about whether the dog is trying to assert dominance that a great deal of the fun of having a dog disappears. Here's a link to a discussion of dominance vs leadership: http://www.google.ch/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&am...

I recommend this site as a wonderful resource for positive reinforcement dog training: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/digital-dog-training-textbook

As far as the barking..first of all, dog's don't challenge people, nor do they try to 'get even' their minds don't work that way. Your puppy is barking to get attention, and as long as that works he will continue doing it Even if the only attention you are giving him is to reprimand him, that's still attention! Just turn away from him and don't look at him or talk to him until he is quiet. Once he quits barking immediately praise him and give him a treat or one of his toys. When he starts barking again, just turn away again..if he has become a real chronic barker, you might confine him to a room by himself, or restrict his activities by tethering him- but ONLY until he is quiet. When he is quiet, release him, praise him and reward him.

One of the responses I get when I discuss positive training is that people tell me they don't want to have to 'bribe' their dog with treats..It's not bribing, it's communicating. With our kids,we can do thing like telling them: "if you keep doing your homework like this, you will get an increase in your allowance" that works because kids understand the value of a reward that will come in the future...dogs live in the moment- their rewards have to follow the good behavior by 1-20 seconds or they no longer even associate the reward with the behavior. But, as time goes by and the good behavior becomes a habit, you fade the reward until it's not needed at all!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks Adina and Lynn! I appreciate the resources you've directed me to!

[Maryjane & Barkley]

Hi Carol,

You might also try http://askdryin.com/dog_movies.php she does a lot of work with counter conditioning unwanted behavior through positive reinforcement. Also look at Patrica McConnel, I learned a lot from her training DVD and I also like Michael Ellis. I agree with Lynne, treats are not bribes. I don't work for free neither does my dog! If your dog has any kind of food drive you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Good luck.

[Carol and Banjo]

I've read P.McConnel. I really like her methods. I tend to wear tops with pockets and carry treats all day! Have washed plenty in the washing machine already! Thanks Maryjane!

[shelly]

Oh Carol ~ we have all been there! Tori too became very strong willed and 'pushy'. It got so bad that I too kept her tethered to me in the house. I made her wait (again) for food... I walked in and out of the door FIRST, and the chase games my boys played with her, had to be stopped because she would truly get carried away and would always lead to torn pants or shirt and nipping. Keep working! You are months ahead of where I was when Tori was that young. Good luck! You have a wealth of support and information here!

[Diana Allen]

Hey there.... Cagney was like this when we got him... about the same age... he was barking at us too ... but it was like he was talking to us... he did not like his crate at all..only used it 4 times.. he pooped in it each time.. he was pissed with it.. we only used it to keep him from chewing our new kitchen table up that we had purchased at the same time... but we just decided to let him loose in the house. He would bark at us because of the crate or if he did not want to go in .. or if he did not want to stop running around the yard with my sons toys... all of it stopped as we just taught him repeatedly not to do the things he was doing... he really does not bark at us anymore... although if he sees my boyfriend and I kiss he will bark at us... he was like a teenager talking back...
Yup Cagney was a piece of work but with patience it all went away.... and he is awesome now... I highly recommend this breed.... I want more of them... I don't have any words of wisdom but just don't give in.. don't give up..

[Lynne B]

our puppy Murphy barked at us constantly when we first got him, we just walked away and ignored him, then when he was quiet we acted like he had done the best thing in the world. What's funny is that he no longer barks at us, but he barks at his big brother Beck (14 month old labradoodle) when he wants Beck to play with him and Beck ignoring him doesn't seem to even phase him

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Banjo sounds like a pretty typical puppy to me. Several dog-smart people have offered some very good input. And that is one of the many reasons why I love DK. :-)

If I can just add...puppies are very much like children. They need boundaries and they will test to see just where the boundaries are. Being strong and being your dog's "leader" means being consistent and as calm as possible. Obedience class will be great for Banjo and you - a good class will help you learn how to communicate with him even better. Just like little kids, puppies want to have fun, too. Just let him know gently and firmly what the rules are.

The smarter your puppy, the more challenging training will be, but so very rewarding. By the time he is mature, you will have the dog you have always wanted - beautiful, fun-loving, affectionate and welcome wherever he goes because he's so well-behaved.