|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
02-09-2011, 10:26 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston
Posts: 17
| Am I losing my Alpha status? This may have been a previous thread, but I couldn’t locate it if so….Sowweee!! What are signes that you could potentially be losing your Alpha leadership status over your yorkie? ...when either you've spoiled too much or maybe just too nice? I want to stay on my toes considering I have never owned a dog—let alone a lil yorkie with their distinct personalities. Anyone have any feedback on this? I'm a little worried...no real signs (I dont think), but it doesnt hurt to ask... Thanks!! |
Welcome Guest! | |
02-09-2011, 10:46 AM | #2 |
No Longer a Member | Hard to say without addressing any behavior issues...Rizzo (my yorkie) doesn't have the traditional terrier attitude as far as dominance goes, so he is really easy to keep a lead over so I don't do any kind of alpha stuff, i.e. I eat first then him, the only thing I like to maintain is that I go through the door first than him. Keeps him from darting out without permission. You can always consult a trainer if you are having difficulty training/maintaining control over your yorkie. |
02-09-2011, 11:03 AM | #3 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: texas
Posts: 17
| Well I just adopted a Morkie (yorkie/maltese) who is very dominant. It has been a nightmare outside the home. At home she is pretty ok. I'm not sure of the age of your's, mine is 9 months, but some signs could be not listening to commands that you know he knows, growling at you or other family members, just being stubborn and refusing to comply. lol I would definitely get with a trainer (We are working with one) and keep on top of obedience. Also mastering the walk, as Cesar says lol, so you are in control as oppose to the dog dragging you around where it wants to go. They need a strong leader. Now I just have to figure out how to make our newly adopted one give up her leadership status from her previous owners. Good luck! |
02-09-2011, 11:23 AM | #4 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Oh that's an easy one! In a nutshell, if your behavior is more reactive than proactive.... she hits your leg so you will look at her, and she 'sits' for a treat... she brings you a toy to throw for her.... she wants up on your lap and you stop what you are doing to accomodate her... etc. and when she does something wrong, that you would never accept anyone (human or animal) doing, but you find yourself laughing at how cute she is, and say I know this is bad, we'll take care of it next time, and next time never comes.... you do 'ah,ah' to stop her from doing a bad thing and she looks at you so innocently, like 'What? Who, me???' and with the little head tilt your heart just melts and your brain goes gaga.... Hehe... been there, done that!
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
02-09-2011, 11:34 AM | #5 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manhattan, NYC
Posts: 655
| Quote:
| |
02-09-2011, 11:53 AM | #6 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Don't worry about it! Being your dogs "alpha" should be the farthest from your mind. Just be a parent, if you will. Yes, you need to enforce rules and train your dog, but there's no reason to dominate a dog. I am not my dogs "pack leader" nor his "alpha". He doesn't obey commands because he HAS to... he does because he WANTS to and he ENJOYS pleasing me (well, he also loves food). He's my best friend, my every day companion, and my heart. And with positive reinforcement, he has learned over 50 tricks at 2 years old and is constantly learning new ones and practicing old. He comes to me happily when I call his name (ok, most of the time!), he has for the most part gotten over his fear of strangers that we worked through, he has graduated his first agility class, and is well on his way to becoming a canine good citizen. He's friendly with all other dogs he meets, he's able to walk into a store or go anywhere really and be on his best behavior. And this, plus much more, was accomplished without physical corrections, without dominating him or rolling him on his back, or forcing him to walk behind me (though I don't allow to pull, typically speaking), or using a prong collar/choke chain/shock collar. Most of all, we have FUN together. We have a freakin' blast and he and I both enjoy training equally. We're a team... I'm not "above" him. We have a mutual respect for one another that's created a strong bond that will last a lifetime. I think you should be more concerned with building that trust and bond and both having respect for each other than worrying about being his alpha.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier Last edited by Britster; 02-09-2011 at 11:55 AM. |
02-11-2011, 07:23 AM | #7 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston
Posts: 17
| Thanks for the feedback! Jager is now 5 months and he isn't exhibiting anything abnormal, meaning he comes when I call, sits when I tell him to, and obeys the simple commands he understands. From time to time he'll get a "Jager-tude" if he doesn't want to be put in his pack in play, but I figure it's because he ALWAYS wants to play. I mean, ALWAYS! lol I'll stay on my toes! And thanks Britster, you do make good points and I've definitely considered what you've said indeed!
__________________ I love my lil Jaeger and boy does he love his mommy!! |
02-11-2011, 07:32 AM | #8 | |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD
Posts: 10,908
| Quote:
__________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10 | |
02-11-2011, 08:07 AM | #9 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida
Posts: 8,008
| good post... but I had to laugh because after reading some book on dog training my daughters started calling me the alpha ... hmmmmm .. well I am the boss of our house
__________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy |
Bookmarks |
|
|
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart