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Hamoth · 09-30-2005, 10:22 PM

I would not recomend the "ALpha Roll" method you are reffering to, nor any of the other drastic measures for a pup that young. There are far les traumatic ways to assert dominance in such a young dog. For starters, if hte owner hasn't tried obedience classes yet, then that's the first step. Anything else is over reacting.

ALpha rolls are getting some press lately and it's not good. I read a really rough&tough trainer's article on how alpha rolls are dangerous and not effective.

As for walking in front, that's not so big a deal as long as there's no tugging. Walking in front but still following the owner is a desirable obediance skill caleld walking at "parade" I think...I might be a little mixed up on the parade thing, but that's what I gather.

If you have a dog over 1 year old who is exhibiting signs of dominance agression then you should start reducing status. Some gentle methods to assert dominance that I would recomend for your Yorkie (that have worked great with my bull-18lb alpha dog) include:

1. No sleeping in the bed. Get a heated crate, keep the room cool. The dog will gravitate toward the heat and give up the prestige of the higher position.

2. You go through all doorways first.

3. Nothing in life is free.This training method means that you make your dog do an act of obedience for evy little thing. Sit before I hook up, or remove the leash. Roll-over before I give you your food dish. "Down" before I put down your water bowl. Etc..You can google search 'Nothing in life is free dog training' and get lots of hits.

4. NEVER let your dog initiate play time, or bark, groan, whine, cute, their way into making you stop what you are doing and playing. You initiate play, always. If your dog happens to, in attempts to initiate play remind you that you have forgotten to attend your dogs neads, wait until the dog loses interest, then you initiate play.

5. After any tugging games, be sure you end with YOU in possesion of the toy, put it away. Never let your dog win tug. Some trainers think this is B.S.

6. To be the alpha...BE THE ALPHA! A dog wants a leader, a fair one, a just one, one who won't hurt them or confuse them. I know for a fact that my ignorance regarding canine behavior contributed to many of Chewy's social problems during his formative months. I was not being a good leader and he became dominant over me. Now I have had to spend at least 3 hours a day, every day, for month after month, to undo the damage that I did. Don't make my mistake. Know what a dog wants in a leader, and be that person. Here's a few tips: A leader is in control, and doesn't explode when the subordinate doesn't get it. A leader rewards the good dogs of the pack, and punishes simply by fading the offender from their sight. A leader listens, watches, understands, and never over reacts.

7. Read and Reasearch online. Get books. Take classes. If all else fails, see a behaviorist. Ultimately you know your dog best, and you should take it upon yourself to see to their healthy upbringing. Find the training methods that work for you and your dog. Avoid those that emphasize punishment and negativity as you will find your life with the dog trappedi n an endless cycle of contests for dominance and agression. Look for ways to positively direct your pup so that they look upon you as a solid and fair leader.

For this 4 month old pup, all this dominance stuff will make about as much sense as a romance novel does to a seven year old. At this point, to wean bad tendencies, the owner simply has to change a few things about their behavior to get any budding dominance issues under control. Given the age of the pup, and the appearent experience of the owner, I recomend a good positive class or three for this dog. Clicker training methods will work well for teaching the owner to understand how their dog learns, and teaching the dog to express independance in a positive way (during training sessions!).

Doing alpha stuff cut Chewy's nasty behavior in half...however there was an extenction burst that I would not have understood if it weren't for getting also into clicker training. After we got the clicker-trainer relationship established, Chewy's nasty behavior has dropped DRASTICALLY. He does not NAG ME when I'm online. He doesn't try to use boredom barking as an outlet. I have become a better owner because I now know that no matter what books say, he needs a walk every day. I know that he hates being pet by strangers and how it makes him feel. I know lots more about him, and so I'm a more worthy leader.

Classes, training, obedience, and time are what makes a terrier start being more and more willing to please. Terriers are the most awesome trained dogs once you make that connection. Far smarter than most breeds, more stubborn to do things right, relentless in their determination and dedication to a taks they understand. Utterly loyal to their leaders. Become that leader by being that leader, and you will have the most amazing dog in the AKC registry...The WORKING Yorkie.

09-30-2005, 10:22 PM	#8
Hamoth YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 358	I would not recomend the "ALpha Roll" method you are reffering to, nor any of the other drastic measures for a pup that young. There are far les traumatic ways to assert dominance in such a young dog. For starters, if hte owner hasn't tried obedience classes yet, then that's the first step. Anything else is over reacting. ALpha rolls are getting some press lately and it's not good. I read a really rough&tough trainer's article on how alpha rolls are dangerous and not effective. As for walking in front, that's not so big a deal as long as there's no tugging. Walking in front but still following the owner is a desirable obediance skill caleld walking at "parade" I think...I might be a little mixed up on the parade thing, but that's what I gather. If you have a dog over 1 year old who is exhibiting signs of dominance agression then you should start reducing status. Some gentle methods to assert dominance that I would recomend for your Yorkie (that have worked great with my bull-18lb alpha dog) include: 1. No sleeping in the bed. Get a heated crate, keep the room cool. The dog will gravitate toward the heat and give up the prestige of the higher position. 2. You go through all doorways first. 3. Nothing in life is free.This training method means that you make your dog do an act of obedience for evy little thing. Sit before I hook up, or remove the leash. Roll-over before I give you your food dish. "Down" before I put down your water bowl. Etc..You can google search 'Nothing in life is free dog training' and get lots of hits. 4. NEVER let your dog initiate play time, or bark, groan, whine, cute, their way into making you stop what you are doing and playing. You initiate play, always. If your dog happens to, in attempts to initiate play remind you that you have forgotten to attend your dogs neads, wait until the dog loses interest, then you initiate play. 5. After any tugging games, be sure you end with YOU in possesion of the toy, put it away. Never let your dog win tug. Some trainers think this is B.S. 6. To be the alpha...BE THE ALPHA! A dog wants a leader, a fair one, a just one, one who won't hurt them or confuse them. I know for a fact that my ignorance regarding canine behavior contributed to many of Chewy's social problems during his formative months. I was not being a good leader and he became dominant over me. Now I have had to spend at least 3 hours a day, every day, for month after month, to undo the damage that I did. Don't make my mistake. Know what a dog wants in a leader, and be that person. Here's a few tips: A leader is in control, and doesn't explode when the subordinate doesn't get it. A leader rewards the good dogs of the pack, and punishes simply by fading the offender from their sight. A leader listens, watches, understands, and never over reacts. 7. Read and Reasearch online. Get books. Take classes. If all else fails, see a behaviorist. Ultimately you know your dog best, and you should take it upon yourself to see to their healthy upbringing. Find the training methods that work for you and your dog. Avoid those that emphasize punishment and negativity as you will find your life with the dog trappedi n an endless cycle of contests for dominance and agression. Look for ways to positively direct your pup so that they look upon you as a solid and fair leader. For this 4 month old pup, all this dominance stuff will make about as much sense as a romance novel does to a seven year old. At this point, to wean bad tendencies, the owner simply has to change a few things about their behavior to get any budding dominance issues under control. Given the age of the pup, and the appearent experience of the owner, I recomend a good positive class or three for this dog. Clicker training methods will work well for teaching the owner to understand how their dog learns, and teaching the dog to express independance in a positive way (during training sessions!). Doing alpha stuff cut Chewy's nasty behavior in half...however there was an extenction burst that I would not have understood if it weren't for getting also into clicker training. After we got the clicker-trainer relationship established, Chewy's nasty behavior has dropped DRASTICALLY. He does not NAG ME when I'm online. He doesn't try to use boredom barking as an outlet. I have become a better owner because I now know that no matter what books say, he needs a walk every day. I know that he hates being pet by strangers and how it makes him feel. I know lots more about him, and so I'm a more worthy leader. Classes, training, obedience, and time are what makes a terrier start being more and more willing to please. Terriers are the most awesome trained dogs once you make that connection. Far smarter than most breeds, more stubborn to do things right, relentless in their determination and dedication to a taks they understand. Utterly loyal to their leaders. Become that leader by being that leader, and you will have the most amazing dog in the AKC registry...The WORKING Yorkie.