Should you pin an Alaskan Malamute?
The American breeder i bought an Al Mal from (for $2000) told me to pin the nose and make the Mal lie flat on it's side (NOT THE ALPHA ROLL ON IT'S BACK) if it tries to be dominant & growl at me or anyone. I saw her do this with a huge 4 year old male, she did it with ease & the dog was instantly submissive for the next 2 hours but ................
Is this something alot of Malamute owners do? I know they suffer from establishing the top pack position via dominance but is this counter productive or fueling feelings of striving to be pack leader more so.
Any experience of this anyone?
2007-09-30 23:51:48 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
If you are pack leader you do not need to pin any breed and if you are not and try to pin a dog you will get bitten. I can Alpha roll/pin all my dogs but good luck with 6 out of 7 for a stranger. My Lab would probably do it for anyone, possibly, but I'm sure he would fight some but not bite.
2007-10-01 01:01:23 · answer #1 · answered by ginbark 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that this sounds like an alpha roll... but you can teach a dog anything from a young age. If you hold a puppy's tail at a young age and hold him immobile, he may learn that holding his tail means to behave.
Instead, what I would recommend is a significant amount of socializing and training. Socialize the puppy with 100 people in the first few weeks, and then socialize her with lots of friendly dogs after after she has had all of her shots, and you have the Vet's OK. Train her and walk her a lot, and there shouldn't be any dominance problems... and keep on it.
For more info, borrow all tapes and books by Ian Dunbar... he has been a world famoous Vet and trainer (including Mals) for the past 30 years !
2007-10-01 07:10:42 · answer #2 · answered by hanksimon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she has dogs with enough aggression issues that she is TEACHING a novice how to do an Alpha Roll, you may have some issues to contend with as this dog grows up.
1. Pet and spend time with your puppy... teach him to like having his belly rubbed... going on walks.. etc.. Dogs view play as the beginning of establishing heirarchy.
2. Start reading anything you can get your hands on about training dogs. Read about dominance theory and pack heirarchy.
3. Get to puppy kindergarten
4. Obedience classes
No, a lot of Malamute owners do not breed dogs that need THAT much dominance.
It is a tool in what you should consider as a toolbox. You need to start getting your toolbox together. It is one of the LAST tools you ever want to use.. since.. where do you go if it no longer works? Establish your leadership FROM THE BEGINNING.
NILF (nothing in life is free) is another tool.. and probably a better one to START with.
2007-10-01 11:48:59 · answer #3 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a domination exercise. I disagree with blanket instructions for its use with ALL dogs, just like prong collars- it is not necessary in every situation. I have a 122 lb mastiff who does not need a prong collar, does not need to be alpha rolled or pinned, etc. Why not try a positive reinforcement training regimen first, and see how your dog responds. Are you having problems with dominance and growling?
2007-10-01 09:33:04 · answer #4 · answered by Rachal961 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never heard of it, sounds like an alpha roll to me (you're putting the dog down to show dominance, yes?). i would say a good training course that teaches you, and the dog, you're the boss sounds better. An obedient dog won't need it's 'nose clipped'. Sounds cruel to me.
2007-10-01 06:56:25 · answer #5 · answered by magy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard "pin" a dog. Are you pinching it's nose? or what? Whatever she was doing it's not common across all parts of the US.
2007-10-01 07:10:45 · answer #6 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this has to be done on a regular basis the human is doing something seriously wrong with the dogs.
2007-10-01 07:03:49 · answer #7 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋