Oliver Hurt Angel Tonight

[Kimberly Baxter Packwood]

Oliver hurt Angel, our 15 year old 12 pound sheltie, again tonight. Hubs said it  was dominance behaviour he tried to mount her after flinging her about the room  which apparently all happened in the bit of a heart beat.  I was doing  laundry so wasn't present. 

I'm at a loss as to what to do when he tries to  dominate her, and it's NOT playing!  I did finally find out from the  previous owners that he's an alpha male to the point that even the husband cowed  to him.  

He's ONLY nine months old and weighs 75-85 pounds already!  Submission techniques are  not working on him he wants to push everyone and everything onto the floor and stand on top of them.

No he's not neutered.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

I quickly searched YouTube and found this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSSHMff4y6Q.

As soon as he does it he says "this is as bad as it gets".   I don't think he's doing an alpha roll as much as ascertaining the dog's temperament.  Seeing how long it takes for a dog to accept social dominance from a human is a standard part of temperament testing and in that context is used by all sorts of rescues and behavioral specialists and others and you never hear anyone object.   

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I had a dominant dog, and I did try using the alpha roll. Didn't work. A truly dominant dog isn't intimidated into obedience or submission. 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

The only experience I have with that would be in the context of grooming them - not fiipping them over just for the sake of fiipping them over.  Although dogs are so wonderfully intuitive and perceptive, it doesn't seem to me likely that you'd be able to "trick" them somehow just by manipulating them into a certain position if you aren't really dominant inside.  Plus dominant dogs are also confident dogs and sometimes let other dogs take turns being on top when they play.  

[Kimberly Baxter Packwood]

Thank you I will check those out today.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Please, please get a reputable dog trainer that can help you handle this big, beautiful puppy! I hate to see submission techniques and dominance rolls. I also think everyone here has given excellent advice. I also think this big guy needs lots more exercise.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I have two doodles - 1 weighs 24 lb and the other 70. Both are young - 3 & 2. The large dog is a goldendoodle and he can get pretty rough with the smaller one, although he is playing - he doesn't get his size. Your smaller dog is older and so might not stick up for itself as my smaller dog will do. I agree with everything that is being said below You need to be wearing this young dog out - ours spends an entire hour a day fetching a ball at the park, runs a couple of times a week with my husband, talks LONG walks, swims when we are in FL. If you are unable to provide the needed exercise - is there a neighborhood teenager that you could hire. Also get the dog neutered ASAP! You have a beautiful puppy - he needs lots of training - either get a trainer over to the house or look for some group classes.

[Miss Ellie]

Neutering sounds like the best option...it really does make a huge difference.  And I agree, it sounds like he needs some really good, patient training.

[Jennifer Tramell]

I agree with everyone about this sounding like typical "teenage" behavior - for a dog with a boisterous personality.  Neutering is the first step.  In addition to the great comments and suggestions, make sure you don't play rough with him.  It's possible that he needs a job and would thrive with obedience training.  Institute games which will stimulate him - hide and seek, teaching him not to eat a treat until you give the command, etc.  You do little things like call his name and reward when he looks at you.  Do a few minutes of sit, down, stand, with gentle yet firm instructions and lots of praise.  Often very smart, boisterous dogs just want a job and if you don't give it to them, they will make one up for themselves - "king of the hill" with Angel may be his solution to "what's my job".

[BG and Gavin]

Congrats on adopting this beautiful guy!  You have gotten some great advice already and your idea to play fetch in the run is a good one.  One thing that had not been mentioned but that I am a great advocate of is tethering.  During your one mile walk tether the dog to you.  Change directions, speeds, make abrupt stops etc, it forces the dog to respond to you and you will see that he starts to anticipate and look to you for direction because you are being unpredictable.  This is mental work for him and it tires him out more than a regular walk.  I also would tether him to you or your husband while in the house for periods of time while you are going about your daily activities.  When you move, he moves.  You are making all the decisions and he must follow.  This assists in establishing you as the leader, it helps with bonding and is mental work (and thus tiring) for him.  Good luck.  Join the training group...we will help you :)

[Kimberly Baxter Packwood]

I've joined the training group, should I post a link to this thread over there?

[BG and Gavin]

No, don't start a new discussion.  I will cross post this discussion to the training group for you.

[BG and Gavin]

But do read through some of the discussions in the training group - you will find a lot of help there.