I've been showing too much love to my dog and now at 3 months he thinks he's the dominant one over me.

Question

I showed too much love for my dog while my sis would train him and teach him how to be obedient. Now that I've started to take him to classes and learn about dominance, my dog thinks he is the dominant one over me! I tried being firm and saying No and telling him what's wrong or right, but he won't listen to me and he even bit me yesterday. What should I do?

Answer 1

You just said that you're taking him to classes. So unless you're going to quit the classes, give them a chance to work!

You're not going to change this dog overnight.

Luck.

Answer 2

Most dogs have the natural instinct of being independent, however under captivity, they depend on the master for food, water, love and shelter.

Like any other animals, they will constantly try to test their limit,so as to get the best for themselves.

Being a pet, your pet must know who is master, who's the one providing for it. Let it test the limit but do not let him cross the line,

Start off by scolding him in a firm tone, if it doesn't work, don't abuse him or hit him with your hand, instead, roll up some newspaper, and use that as a "cane" dogs are very sensitive to sound. Upon hitting the dog, the dog will get a shock, due to the sound but it may think that the impact was great.

Do try this and don't let your dog control you, good luck.

What breed is ur dog anyways?

Answer 3

You don't need to take away the love you have for this dog. But, you do need to pay attention to the way that you relate to him - you must be consistent. Be firm in not giving in to begging, or getting responses that you don't want when you're training. Watch your sister work with the dog so that you can both do the same with him.
What was the context of the bite?

Answer 4

Stick with the classes. They will teach you how to teach him and it will work but this problem did not happen over night and it is not going away overnight.
The dog will learn to see you as dominant over him if you work with him and train him to do things. Just walking the dog properly is a great way to reinforce the dominance thing each day.
Good luck.

Answer 5

NO KIDDING. HE THINKS HE IS DOMINANT JUST BECAUSE YOU TREATED HIM LIKE A HUMAN HAH? How rude of him. If i were you I would put him on time out and never speak to him again, at least for 5 minutes. No sleeping on your bed, and no eating any human food. Also, no getting up on the sofa to watch TV with you. You should tell him that he should be ashamed of himself for acting like that. All that love and NO DISCIPLINE and that is how he pays you back? I also think you should give him more love, maaybe when he has too much of it and realizes what an ingrate he is, he will apologize and think it over. In the mean time, forget all about the love crap that you have been giving him for free and make him earn it. Someone here, who knows as much about dogs as I do about the space program, wrote a few days ago that I know nothing about dogs and that I am a control freak when it comes to my dogs. I think that right now, if she can read this, she is wringing her hands in frustration. Final word of advice. Treat your dogs like dogs, they are not human, or suffer the consequances.

Answer 6

I just recently got a doggie. We are actually doing well together. I actually read a really good book about dog psychology. "Cesars Way" by Cesar Millian. This book talks about what humans do that make our dog a certain way. It sounds to me as if you are not being a good leader. Dogs follow the leader. You are his follower. You don't need to quit giving him affection but show him affection at the right times!! too much affection shows weak energy. Energy is important to a dog. A dog senses your energy. Continue the classes. And start showing him who is boss. Are you providing him with plenty of exercise? he could be frustrated?? walks are great. They provide a connection. Hope this helps:) :)

Answer 7

make sure your the one out the door first all the time no matter what. he eats after you. only give him attention when you want to not when he wants you to. your ahead of him when you go on a walk. you have to set down rules and put them into action, that's one of the reasons he wants to be the leader because he feels like nothing is in order and that you aren't stepping up to the place as a leader so he will take your place to set things straight. make sure that you always feel in control of him and if not then stop to take the time to set things straight. it has to be you, you, you always, all the time no matter what.
if you have a TV then i would suggest watching the dog whisperer it is a very enjoyable show and it shows how to deal with dog problems.it comes on discovery channel but i forget what time.

Answer 8

You need to start being the only one feeding him. No-one else. Feed him at a set time, and work w/him on obedience before mealtimes. Try the clicker training method w/small treats. He'll be hungry, so that will be modivation. Plus, when he realizes that it's only AFTER the training session you feed him, he'll cooperate better.

Answer 9

If your attending a good obedience class, they should be able to assist you with your problem. It's not to late to establish dominance with your pup. It sounds like he is a alpha personality. You have to be firm and consistant. Be short & direct with your commands, not to wordy. Reward good behavior with food, play and/or attention (depending on what drives him). DO NOT hit him if he displays bad behavior, rather, take away what drives him. Good luck.

Answer 10

You can't show your dog "too much love". Just keep taking the obedience classes and this will resolve itself.