Originally Posted by Sway Says  I am no expert, okay?
This is my first dog as well. I know this is long, sorry. But I got some advice.
When my puppy tried to get bossy with me it was about the first few weeks he was home. I think he was trying to figure out his order--like is place or whatever.
He would bark at me when I ate and then start growling. Or he would bark when I got on my bed--a place he couldn't get to.
I really do suggest you flip him on his back and hold him down.
His nails were long and they would scratch my arm but I did not let him up. I didn't apply pressure to the point where he would be hurt or anything. You might need to use two hands.
I just held him down and stared directly into his eyes until he became perfectly still and did not look at me. And I would say no biting, or no barking, or no growling. Or nothing at all. And just hold him there.
It might take a while. I call it, "letting him get the evil out". It might be a while before your dog chills out. But once he does chill out let him up and give him a pet or a little love. Top dogs aren't mean, they're just firm. When he realizes he's not the master, you are, he's way less stressed and can relax because he doesn't have to worry about that responsibility any more.
Also, he doesn't have to do something necessarily "wrong" to get flipped over. You can flip him over to pet him. Or you can just flip him over for no reason. That reminds me of when I was a kid. Sometimes I'd get spanked for doing something trivial that I knew better than to do. (I know some people don't agree with spanking, but you get the point.) It wasn't out of hate or anything. My parents adored me. It was just saying, "Look, you know what's expected of you, kid, don't do what you aren't supposed to do."
So flip the dog over from time to time. Consistently. And eventually he'll realize he's not the top dog.
Also another thing that worked. Establish dominance. Don't allow your dog to walk through doors in front of you. You might want to leash him while you're in the house to make sure you go in first. You don't have to hold the leash. Just step on it if it seems he's jutting in front of you. Leaders lead, followers follow.
Then I discovered the Nothing in Life is Free Method. And basically all that is is you require your dog to follow your commands so that he can have the things that he desires. He realizes that you are in control of all his resources which means that he does not have to act like he's in control of anything, anymore.
So you make the dog do a command before you give them what you want. My dog only knows sit right now. We start obedience school tomorrow lol! So that explains why all these suggestions are 'sit' you can use any command.
I make my dog sit before we go outside and sit coming back in. So he knows I'm in control of where we go. (And also so he doesn't fly out of any open door possibly into the street).
When I give him a toy he must sit to receive it. I will not throw or hand over the toy until he sits and stays seated. If he brings it back to me for fetch--that's fine. He's got to sit for me to throw it for him. He caught on quick, he likes to play.
He needs to know, that no matter how much he plays with the toys all his toys really belong to you. You're loaning them. Don't be scared to take a toy for no reason. It's your toy, not his.
Also when feed your dog pretend to eat some of the food first. Because the alpha dog eats first, then the other dogs eat. After that I tell him to sit until I put the bowl down. And he does. Your dog will respect that because he wants to eat and he knows that you are where all the goodness and tasty treats of his life comes from.
It's not all bad, though. You are also where all the belly rubs and the snuggles and the kisses come from too. Dogs are forgiving. They respect authority. They won't get mad at you for disciplining them. The only way you'll hurt them is if you do it out of anger.
Just stay calm and cool the whole time.
Also, when doing the NILIF Method you can't just give in because your dog is being stubborn. You have to out-stubborn your dog every single time. If he doesn't want to sit to eat, then he may miss that particular meal. He won't die or anything like that. He'll sit at the next chance to eat, you see what I'm saying?
She's a dog. She's sweet but you don't want to make her rotten by spoiling her.
I hope that didn't sound too harsh. I love my baby. But we're both happier when he does what's right. And I don't have to be embarrassed to take him places.
This took about three-four days. Lemme know if it works for you too. |