Is this a dominance thing? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

winnismom · 01-12-2007, 05:57 PM

My little darling Georgia

is a 5 lbs. shih tzu. She is always after her big brother Winni..a 20 lb poodle/bichon mix. She's always up on him..henpecking him and so on. She's even started to hump him (he's 3.5 years old btw)!! This afternoon she was especially obnoxious. He jumps up on the sofa just to get away from her and of course she comes running over and wants to get up too...well I let her up and it's fight fight fight! She's just constantly in his face! Anyway a short time later I put her on the sofa (Winni was off of it) and she pee's all over the pillows they were just fighting on a little while earlier!! She didn't have to potty because I just took her out and she did her thing! I was so MAD (as if you can't tell)! She's also done this on my bed several times. I've taken her out to potty..she pee's and then I think OK I'll put her on the bed with me while I read. Well each time we've done it she's pee'd all over the comforter. What's up with this behavior? Is she marking my things as hers so Winni will know she's top dog? Any no I haven't allowed her on my bed since the last time..that experiment failed miserably! I just don't know what to do. She's been potty trained for months now btw. Thanks for ANY advice..you peeps are the best!

Brookef18 · 01-12-2007, 06:11 PM

It sounds like she is trying to tell every one she is top dog. When Chewy was young and not potty trained (3-4 months old) I would keep him on a leash and put him on my bed or the couch, and I would stick a think blanket under him that I could wash if there was an accedent. That way I could have him with me. I think when they are on a leash and you limit their space it shows you are in charge.
At puppy school they said it is a good thing to sometimes put the dog on leash and make him relax by keeping him near you. Chewy would always fall asleep or just snuggle after he relaized it wasn't time to run around!
I'm not sure cause I am not a trainer but I think it could be worth a try... ?

winnismom · 01-14-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brookef18

It sounds like she is trying to tell every one she is top dog. When Chewy was young and not potty trained (3-4 months old) I would keep him on a leash and put him on my bed or the couch, and I would stick a think blanket under him that I could wash if there was an accedent. That way I could have him with me. I think when they are on a leash and you limit their space it shows you are in charge.
At puppy school they said it is a good thing to sometimes put the dog on leash and make him relax by keeping him near you. Chewy would always fall asleep or just snuggle after he relaized it wasn't time to run around!
I'm not sure cause I am not a trainer but I think it could be worth a try... ?

I just want to say a public thanks to Brooke for replying to my thread. It's greatly appreciated. Some posts on here go on forever and other posts people aren't too interested in. I know it's difficult to reply to every post but I wonder what makes people post on some threads and not others..anyway thanks Brooke for taking the time..I appreciate it!!

peanut · 01-14-2007, 05:43 PM

I would say that it is a dominance thing...She is trying to be the alpha in the family, you need to let her know that your the alpha not her....

FirstYorkie · 01-15-2007, 11:23 AM

From what you've written, I don't think there's much doubt that the dogs are trying to work out who is "top dog" amongst themselves. Contrary to what many think, the distinction as top dog is constantly changing depending on the circumstances. Except in rare cases, one dog doesn't win the title permanently. There are so many nuances of this type of behavior that we humans are unlikely to see all that is going on.

Is she challenging YOUR authority? Hard to say just from what you've written. Does she do other things that make you think so?

winnismom · 01-15-2007, 02:35 PM

She challenges my authority ocassionally..by running away when I call her mostly. A few days a go I started to put her in a closed off room for a little time out whenever she starts in on my other dog. This seems to be working so far. It takes several times but she comes out and seems to catch on that the behavior that put her in there is unaccaptable. We'll see...thanks for your response!

01-12-2007, 05:57 PM	#1
winnismom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 223	Is this a dominance thing? My little darling Georgia is a 5 lbs. shih tzu. She is always after her big brother Winni..a 20 lb poodle/bichon mix. She's always up on him..henpecking him and so on. She's even started to hump him (he's 3.5 years old btw)!! This afternoon she was especially obnoxious. He jumps up on the sofa just to get away from her and of course she comes running over and wants to get up too...well I let her up and it's fight fight fight! She's just constantly in his face! Anyway a short time later I put her on the sofa (Winni was off of it) and she pee's all over the pillows they were just fighting on a little while earlier!! She didn't have to potty because I just took her out and she did her thing! I was so MAD (as if you can't tell)! She's also done this on my bed several times. I've taken her out to potty..she pee's and then I think OK I'll put her on the bed with me while I read. Well each time we've done it she's pee'd all over the comforter. What's up with this behavior? Is she marking my things as hers so Winni will know she's top dog? Any no I haven't allowed her on my bed since the last time..that experiment failed miserably! I just don't know what to do. She's been potty trained for months now btw. Thanks for ANY advice..you peeps are the best!

01-12-2007, 06:11 PM	#2
Brookef18 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cape Cod Ma Posts: 1,855	It sounds like she is trying to tell every one she is top dog. When Chewy was young and not potty trained (3-4 months old) I would keep him on a leash and put him on my bed or the couch, and I would stick a think blanket under him that I could wash if there was an accedent. That way I could have him with me. I think when they are on a leash and you limit their space it shows you are in charge. At puppy school they said it is a good thing to sometimes put the dog on leash and make him relax by keeping him near you. Chewy would always fall asleep or just snuggle after he relaized it wasn't time to run around! I'm not sure cause I am not a trainer but I think it could be worth a try... ? __________________ Brooke (Chewy's and Sadie's Mom) visit us on dogster dogster.com/dogs/700047

01-14-2007, 05:43 PM	#4
peanut Dogs Rule Cats Drool! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,895	I would say that it is a dominance thing...She is trying to be the alpha in the family, you need to let her know that your the alpha not her.... __________________ KIM

01-15-2007, 11:23 AM	#5
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	From what you've written, I don't think there's much doubt that the dogs are trying to work out who is "top dog" amongst themselves. Contrary to what many think, the distinction as top dog is constantly changing depending on the circumstances. Except in rare cases, one dog doesn't win the title permanently. There are so many nuances of this type of behavior that we humans are unlikely to see all that is going on. Is she challenging YOUR authority? Hard to say just from what you've written. Does she do other things that make you think so? __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-15-2007, 02:35 PM	#6
winnismom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 223	She challenges my authority ocassionally..by running away when I call her mostly. A few days a go I started to put her in a closed off room for a little time out whenever she starts in on my other dog. This seems to be working so far. It takes several times but she comes out and seems to catch on that the behavior that put her in there is unaccaptable. We'll see...thanks for your response!