Geez your so mouthy!!! He thinks hes tuff!!?

Question

We have an 8mon old male boxer, we introduced him to our home and our 6yr old amstaff (who adores him) about 6 months ago. Since day one, hes acted very mucho with her and other people. He grawls and carry's on and on (he is playing, but it sounds so aggressive and hes not). I know his reasoning for doing this, is that he is trying to be the alpha male.

He knows i am his owner and he NEVER does it to me. But he literally picks on people who let him get away with it. Any advice on how to stop this?? should my husband have more of a active role in disciplining him, that way the pup knows he is not the alpha male?

Answer 1

Your husband and you should play an equal role in disiplining the dog. Otherwise, he will try to act dominant to the one that doesn't say anything about it. You both need to show him that he is not the Alpha.

It goes further than just your family though. You need to tell visitors the same thing. Let them know about the dogs behavior in advance and tell them to not to let him get away with it. When you see him do this, give him a firm "NO" (Till he thinks it's his middle name!) and tell your husband and guests to do the same.

Answer 2

"should my husband have more of a active role in disciplining him, "
This scares me. Puppy mouthing is a natural form of play for them, and you can control it in a way that doesn't physically punish the puppy. When he mouths you, or you feel teeth on skin, end the game immediately and put him in his crate. There is no need for emotion on your part, no need to smack or strike the pup in any way. Your whole family must always do this or he will continue to bite. Growling and so on during play is also natural and part of the fun as long as he is not aggressively protecting his toys, chewies, or food from you or your other dog.

Answer 3

is he your husbands dog no then your the dogs trainer train him up in the way you want him to act.