[gemy]

I am not going to speak to this OP = given three threads - spanking a wee dog etc etc.


But I will say being a leader of the pack does not always mean you have to dominte the dog in a harsh way. And it is not a given in a multiple person household if you are the one to feed train groom etc - that you will be given alpha status by the dogs.


My husband who has been out of work for awhile now is walking and feeding our dogs regularly. Yet this wkend at dock diving - our young gal kept ignoring hubby and trying to swim over to me. He said to her why are you doing this I am the one feeding and walking you.....


In our household of multiple dogs it is a bit more complex in that our senior male is the alpha male albeit a generous alpha and then our Yorkie and then our young gal - but they all look to me. I am the trainer. And until recently the main food provider - cook - and groomer.


I insist on obedience in certain things - No pull on lead - I have 120+ dogs and a 6lb Yorkie who is not allowed to pull. Stop command and Leave it are never to be disobeyed.


I am explaining with out really getting to what I think the nub of it is. I know and expect that I am alpha. I will be very consistent with what I want and *make* them do it. But I think it is my self assurance and the way I carry myself that speaks volumnes. Dogs look at body language all of the time!


For example my CDX trained senior boy who loves loves to dock dive - was pulling and I mean pulling hard on the lead to get to the water. It took all my strength I had to stand still and refuse to move. He of course could have overpulled me but was minimally obeying my no pull command. We went nowhere. I issued the front command which he did with alacrity - then the heel command - and when we went to walk again - he began pulling.. I froze in place. It took us 15 minutes to walk 100 paces but we were not going anywhere if he was pulling me. And if we had missed our time on the dock so be it - he would have been crated as a consequence of his dis obedience.


With Razzle same deal. They get excited and I understand that but you do not get rewarded for bad behaviour ever!


My dogs can be dogs and play and run and have a very full and rich life with me. But I do expect and demand obedience from them - they are too large not to be well trained. Sometimes we have to review things - like you Do Not push past me on the stairs - or try to block my way as I come to the top of the stairs. This is a real safety issue - with folks that are not steady on their feet like my sister - or ageing parents.


But for Razzle the 6lber he has never been spanked a day in his life. If I do a leash correction it is with one finger on the lead. Usually though it is voice correction - or I freeze and refuse to move - or change my direction constantly. When I lead I lead - when they are free and they do get free time they are free within reason to do what they like. I like to use re-direction to curb un wanted behaviours. Like lots of barking - they ignore hush or quiet - then it is come come come to me - if they come they are rewarded treat or toy.


None of my dogs cower from me. But they do obey - not always instantly but mostly yes.