Dominance issues in my 9 week old: biting and humping

[David and Franklin]

Little Franklin appears to be feeling better. I'll have test results regarding Giardia tomorrow. In the meantime I am encountering some typical issues during puppy's high manic play times. When he is calm he seems to respond to my "NO BITE" + ignore for 10 seconds. When he is paying attention he will hold my finger in his mouth gently.

Not so much when he gets wound up. Tonight, he combined this with humping action when I was working on bite inhibition. I come from a school where humping is not to be tolerated. Is that still the rule? The little fella can be aggressive, and definitely seems to believe that he has a shot at top dog in the pack. I don't want to break his spirit by being too stern with him.

I am clicker training him but I don't have a clicker solution for these issues. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Sounds like a job for Doggy Dan, the online dog trainer! He touts Five golden rules of pack leadership. I'll try to summarize but you should def check him out, he comes highly rec'd on this site.. 1. You control all food. Never left "free" or on ground. This includes bones. 2. Danger: barking/thank yous -you calmly control danger by showing dog, make nothing of it 3. After separation, ignore him (no eye contact, no touch, no talk) til he is calm. 4. Everything on your terms (you start/stop petting sessions by calling him to you, games, and no space invading allowed on his part, etc.) 5. The walk - calm, controlled...
He has videos explaining each of these and why they are so impt. Once you are pack leader, lots of unwanted or dominant behaviors (humping) will disappear!

[Judith and Addie]

My trainer told me that what I called "the puppy crazies" - that running around in circles, non-stop zoomies  - is a sign that the puppy is overstimulated and overtired. She recommended when Addie began doing this, to let it go for  a minute or so but if she didn't settle, then I should put her in her crate and let her rest. If Franklin is over-tired and that is adding to his getting wound up, I think you might want to give him a chance to quiet down before you try training. No discipline, no "No!", just let him chill in his crate or wherever he sleeps.

By the way, I know quite a few trainers still talk about pack-leader, but my understanding is that this is old theory and the research done doesn't support it.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

To my knowledge, you are correct. From what my trainer has told me the alpha theory was disproven decades ago, she's extremely knowledgeable on the subject but I have done my own research regardless.
Honestly I don't have a problem with how others train their own dogs until they're kneeing them in the chest and knocking them to the floor to stop them from jumping when they come in the door. I feel like there are other ways to curb that behavior and that qualifies as abuse.... I don't know "doggie dan", but his 5 golden rules look fine.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Yes, he would never suggest kneeing in the chest, choke chains, or anything remotely abusive. He is recc'd by aspca, etc. I actually believe in leadership (and his methods) because I consider it the more loving thing for the dog - by taking that responsibility/role away from him, he can relax and just be a dog! Just my two cents... Best,

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

I don't know exactly when the theory was disproven, but I saw a recent documentary about it on CBC. The largest canine psychology research centre in the world is in Hungary, where they have proven that modern domestic dogs are so far removed from wolves, and that whole pack leader mind set. It was a fascinating eye opener. I still LOVE Cesar, but I use more of the gentle methods of his new Leader Of The Pack show. He has evolved his way of being on camera with dogs. I believe too many people were trying to emulate him. But part of his gift is his impeccable timing. Cesar's way too easily becomes bullying in the wrong hands, even with good intentions. That's my two cents worth on the subject.

[Judith and Addie]

Deb, if you do a quick web search, you'll find quite a bit of information about the theory of dominance. Here is one article which gives some history behind it.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201007/canine-dom...

[David and Franklin]

I recently read "The Genius of Dogs" by Brian Hare, which appears to reach similar conclusions. Have never seen a The Dog Whisperer. Probably just as well. Thanks for the article,

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Thanks for that Judith.  I had to shake my head.  How archaic are our misconceptions about the need to dominate!  As terrible as some of the outdated practices to treat 'hysterical women' and 'defiant children'.

About 15 years ago, Dr. Stanley Coren had a television show which I watched every day and used his gentle methods with the three dogs I had at that time.  He's wonderful.  It's about LEADERSHIP not dominance. I consider my dogs compliant and cooperative, not 'obedient'.  

It is apparent to my partner and I that some misguided person or people are responsible for turning Yarrow's beautiful sister into a complete nervous wreck with zero confidence and loads of fear.  But we reward her brave moments and they are increasing.  We are making little bits of progress every day.  The program I saw was an episode of The Nature of Things entitled A Dog's Life.  Domestic dogs are much more a democratic society and the members of the pack take turns playing at being both dominant and submissive. It will re-air on October 2 but I don't know if it can be seen outside of Canada.  I've tried to watch The Nature of Things on my computer while in the States and I get the message that I have to subscribe.  That being said, it would be worth it. http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/a-dogs-life

[Judith and Addie]

Thanks Deb. I admire how you are

[David and Franklin]

Judith, that is exactly how I handled it this evening. I needed a little rest as much as he did. When he came out of the crate he was a sweet little puppy again. I am subscribed to the Doggy Dan site and am working my way through the videos. One concern I have is that I enjoy interacting with the pup. I like to play with him, etc. My last dog seemed to understand that I was the leader, although as the years passed we became more like partners. I do not want to lose that. I do not wish to order things as to take away from the joy of having the little fella in our lives. I worry about his having too much time in the crate, even though on most days he naps at my feet while I work on my computer. Perhaps the solution is knowing that he needs his rest when he goes into puppy overdrive.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

You may like to join the doodlekisses training group, too!

[David and Franklin]

I'll do that.  I will also have to take a Doggy Dan refresher course.  I suspect that I have a puppy with a lot of dominance tendencies.  He may be a little more headstrong than my last dog.  Might be the poodle in him, don't know.  I do not have it in my heart to be terribly stern with dogs, and last time was able to establish my leadership in a very kind and loving way.   But it is clear that he responds well when he understands that I am the giver of food, and bestower of tummy rubs.  Each dog seems to have his own challenges and it is time for me to step up to the plate with this little guy.  Thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply