How do I make my dog realize that my son is dominant?

Question

I have a new puppy who is REALLY great with my 10 mo old son. She lets him walk on her, pull her ears etc. The problem is that she thinks he's a puppy and she thinks it's ok to be dominant. I've tried alpha rolls and putting him over her but he just won't sit still. She takes food out of his hands and steals his toys. Any suggestions?

I do discipline, rewards, etc. She is 13 weeks old and pretty well trained already (she can sit, come and lay on command already). I don't neglect training my dog. I don't leave my son unattended with her.

I just want tricks to help her realize that he isn't a puppy and he is dominant. He is too young to do it himself so what do pack leaders do to get the underdog to realize that another dog is dominant?

I don't let him do anything to her. I stop it at once. I am kinda feeling like all the answers are insinuating that I am either a bad pet owner, bad mother or both.

Everyone gets attention in my house. I am a stay at home mom and my dog is LOVED. I am not ignoring my dog or my son. The problem is that she is stealing food out of his hands. It has nothing to do with attention. She gets lots of exercise, discipline and love. My son also gets all of those.

Everyone gets attention in my house. I am a stay at home mom and my dog is LOVED. I am not ignoring my dog or my son. The problem is that she is stealing food out of his hands. It has nothing to do with attention. She gets lots of exercise, discipline and love. My son also gets all of those.

Answer 1

I can only suggest that you supervise puppy-kid time and punish puppy and kid for bad behavior, your kid shouldn't learn to pull on puppy's ears or climb on him, it is not ok, your kid will become a toddler and will beat the C out of your dog and of course the dog will snap back, doggie will go to doghouse because you thought it was a great idea to let your kid play rough with the dog.

Supervise play time, both get punished for rough play, when your kid grows up he will learn your tricks to teach doggie to be submisive, for now you shouldn't teach your dog to hate your kid. Oh BTW, dogs know "young" by instict, your kid cannot be an alpha dog , he is "young" and has no place yet, just like puppy.

And you are not a bad mom or a bad owner, you just need to understand a few things about dogs, right now there is nothing you can do, your dog will learn more when your kid grows, just get your training right the first time, your dog should learn to love your kid and the only way to do it is teaching him kid respects dog , dog should respect kid too. Give it some time.

Oh and about the food, it is only natural, don't worry about it right now. Just don't let your kid eat close to doggie, dogs and cats will get any chance they have to get some food that's their job, don't take it too seriously at this point, just don't give puppy the opportunity to sin.

Answer 2

Your little exhuberant puppy needs some obedience training - and you probably do too! It's never too early to start training puppies. How old is this puppy? Gentle, consistent training is the best. The days of punishment type training are gone. Studies show time and time again that dogs are much better pets and react much better to positive/reward training. They really do need to know who's in charge, since they are pack animals by nature.

I'd say check out your local obedience school or at the very least, look at the SPCA website (San Francisco has an excellent site) for some tips on how to train this one. I wouldn't leave the baby unattended with the puppy until he's better behaved. He might get to excited without any supervision.

Answer 3

Wrong time to get a puppy.

Don't punish the dog for competing for attention.

I would say find the puppy a good home and wait until your child is older to get another one. It's in the best interest of your child #1 and the puppy #2.

You have created a situation where they both need attention and the puppy is gonna loose. It's not fair to the puppy and dangerous for your baby.

While training sounds great it is highly unfair to a puppy. this puppy needs the full attention of people who have the time and energy.

Animals DO miss their mommas, give the puppy a fair chance.

Your son already has good loving parents.

A dog is not a toy, but a living, feeling, being.

Answer 4

i am having the same problem with my puppy that i got and my daughter. the only thing that seems to work even a little is to never have my daughter sit on the floor. if she is standing, i dont know if your son can or not, or sitting on the couch or chair my puppy seems to understand more that she is not a toy or a dog. i also tell him to get his toys when he is playing with her like another dog, and i will get his toy and show him what his toys are. he is starting to catch on and we have had him for a week tomorrow. i hope that it helps. also i think that with age the puppy will settle a bit too.

Answer 5

Yeah you need to be more assertive with the puppy. Nip that behavior in the bud. She is a puppy and has a lot to learn.

When she trys to be alpha over your son, put her in time out for a couple of minutes.

Answer 6

SORRY but there is no way that you are going to make your puppy realized that your 10 month old baby is dominant,,,,,,, NO CAN DO... also,, do not let your son climb on the pup and pulls its ears,,, your son is going to get bitten... and it won't be the dogs fault,, it will be yours....

Answer 7

she will do what YOU allow her to get away with ... SCOLD BIG TIME when she tries to get alpha with your son... keep putting your son first and with in time the child will be able to put out his own alpha energy... mean time you protect the baby by always being there when thye are together and correbting the dogs behavior.:)

Answer 8

Be firm with the dog. When the puppy does something bad - scold it right away. reward good behavior. Be consistent though - as much as possible. Humans are the master.....be consistent.

Answer 9

i dont think the baby will fight with the dog..discipline the dog or stop letting the baby play with it for awhile.

Answer 10

Go to pawpersuasion.com good articles on children and dogs it will help