Alpha Dog Boot Camp

Here's a wonderful page on NILIF and "boot camp" for an alpha dog. Note that it is not supposed to be a way of life, but a wake-up call to get YOU in charge of the pack. Some of the things - like rough play, sleeping on the bed - can be allowed once the dog knows his place. As long as a dog will get on and off the bed or couch when asked, and can play games like tug but stop when YOU say so, it is fine to do these things. Otherwise, you need to not do them until the dog is under control.

http://www.chowwelfare.com/cciw/alpha.htm


Jamiya

 

Well, according to your information I've screwed up. I let both dogs sleep in my bedroom. They don't sleep on my bed or get on it, they have their own beds.

But my dogs consider us the "Boss" and respond to everything we tell them to do happily. They've never shown any sign of aggressive behavior to us or any Humans.

Do you think they could ever change in the future, or are their personalities pretty much developed now that they're grown?

Neither dog has ever really shown signs of trying to achieve Alpha Status. Do you think there's a possibility they never will?

 

That was exactly my point - if your dogs already know their place and acknoweldge you as boss, sleeping in your room is fine. It's only when you are having a problem that you need to change some behaviors and let them earn their priveleges back.

Some dogs don't give a hoot about being alpha. They just don't want to. Your dogs sound very well-adjusted and you are all doing fine!


Jamiya

 

well I screwed up too, :? because both Jake and Wylie sleep on our bed, And jake will not let me get closer than 2 feet to my husband. But they have never showed aggression like my parents shitzu, who attackes when ever things dont go her way.

honeybear

 

I have always had the dogs sleep in our bedroom, because they are part of the family. They are still crated at night, though, for various reasons.

Again, the page was a good reference for people having trouble with their dogs. With some dogs you can do everything "wrong" and it does no harm. But some dogs you have to be vigilant with - give an inch and they take a mile. They're all different!

The page was just a good description of how to take control if you have lost it, or how not to lose it to begin with if it seems to be going in that direction.


Jamiya

 

"The page was just a good description of how to take control if you have lost it, or how not to lose it to begin with if it seems to be going in that direction. "

this is my problem with Jake I never had it and should have, my fualt though, cant blame anyone but myself

honeybear

 

It's never too late, honeybears. Jake can learn and so can you! Make a priority list and attack it one behavior at a time. And through it all, practice NILIF and you will be amazed at how fast he responds.

You have to be consistent, though. Sometimes it is terribly irritating when I just want to let the dogs out, but Nala is wretling with Bonnie and can't even hear my command to sit. So I walk out of the room and they are stunned. I come back - she wrestles. I walk away. Rinse and repeat. We usually have to do it a good dozen times or so. It's a pain in the you-know-where!! But I know it will pay off, so I do it.

She's much better about it for most things - going outside to play happens to be a trouble spot for us.


Jamiya

 

so any idea on how on this one what I can do. Jake will not let me get closer than 2 feet to my husband. he pushes me away., we hug, he comes and stand between and barks.

How do I work on this?

honeybear

 

Hehe, Nala used to shove herself between any two people hugging. We did nothing and it just went away. Although if we pet Bonnie she comes to shove herself in the way.

In your case, I would say a couple things might help. First, have your husband have treats or something Jake likes in his pocket. You start to walk up to him. When Jake starts to react, stop. Have your husband offer him a treat. He can't be barking while he is eating! Gradually close the distance between you, using Jake as a guide for when you have gone too far. Do this at every opportunity (mandatory hug breaks) throughout the day for lots of practice.

Second, how does Jake behave for your husband? If your family is like ours, I do most of the obedience training (okay ALL of the obedience training) and enforcing of the rules. If Jake does not respect your husband, have him work on commands with him. Have your husband feed Jake as well, and make him sit before putting the food bowl down (ummm, Jake should sit - not your husband). Maybe have your husband take Jake for a walk every day - even if it's just 10 minutes - or play a game with him, for some bonding time.

And I swear it helps to keep a positive image in your mind of what you want to happen while you are working on it!

This book might have info as well - I think it talks about dogs guarding people, which is essentially what Jake is doing: http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB740 If nothing else, I found some of it to be fascinating such as tips about training in general.


Jamiya

 

thanks Jimiya, Jake does not listen to me, he will listen to my husband most of the time, we have been so bad and not enforcing good habits.

I am the one that feeds him because of his new diet, that has like 6 supplements that goes into his food.

So how does the rewarding him work? Wont he then everytime we get close expects a treat?

I saw on good U years ago how to treat this and said bla bla bla, I need to try that with Jake never did, now I dont remember what they said.

honeybear

 

Good link Jamiya.

Natalie sleeps with me and knows I'm boss but I'm still working on Sebastian with that....he has'nt even growled at me in months so we are making progress. Sebastian is the type that used to growl and bite if you tried to move him from somewhere he did'nt want to be moved from.