Dealing with Jealous Dog issues when i'm not there.?

Question

I live with my mother and her two older schnauzers (she had surgery.. so I moved back to help her).. My problem is that now that hers are showing signs of aging my dog is going after them.. I know how to deal with it when I am home, and it seems to work.. they are fine when no one is there as well.. but if my mother or her boyfriend are in the house he pulls the dominance act over the other two dogs and my mother freaks out. I don't think it's as aggressive as she thinks it is.. it's just a dominance "fight", but she won't do what I tell her to do when it happens and it does not happen when I am around. (Because all 3 dogs see me as the boss, while the older schnauzer sees himself that way with my mother.. and now apparently my dog wants to as well)
How do you: A: train a dog to stop something when you are not present, or B: Get an unwilling person to "train them".. when she's used to giving in to her own dogs.?

Oh, and mine is a beagle/basset.. not a bully breed. He has been a submissive dog from day one.. it wasn't until they started showing real signs of aging that these issues came up.

Answer 1

It sounds like you're on the right track-- your dog sees you as his boss, but he sees himself as his mother's boss. They still have that wolf mentality of a pecking order.

There's no other solution than to have your mother take authority and discipline your dog when you're not there. I am also guessing that he probably sees you getting upset with your mother about her lack of taking authority. You can't let him see you being dominant to her, b/c then he'll just think that he's allowed to also.

Answer 2

Wow! That's a tough one! It sounds like you have one that's not willing to play by the rules, or to work for what she gets or feels like she deserves. This type of pack member can really make your pack a living hell! The other dogs won't respect her, and may even turn on her, causing some serious injuries. I would consult with a behaviorist first, to see if there really is a MENTAL component here. If not, and you've tried a long time out, then I would suggest finding a home for her where she is all alone. One where she can be top dog, and not have to fight for her position in the pack. Maybe Chi rescue can help you with that? I hope it all works out. I think we all just want our packs to be happy. If she acts up again- maybe you could toss a chicken at her! Oh, wait she's too small- maybe chuck a Cornish Game Hen!

Answer 3

Hard to really know what is going on. You could have some resource guarding issues happening. Sometimes old dogs do not hear or see well enough to respond appropriately to other dogs' body language, so fights can happen. Sometimes they just move and act differently enough to bother other dogs. Unless someone is willing to actually work with these dogs there's no magic bullet here for you. Keep your dog away from the other dogs so it does not get to practice the inappropriate behavior and torment the old dogs.

Also, you don't say what you are doing or what you've told your mother to do when the dogs do fight. If you are punishing your dog, there's a good chance you won't have success in changing its behavior. You need to train a dog to perform a certain behavior, not just try to stop an inappropriate one. I make all interactions between my old cocker and my snarky younger male dog, excellent ones. When the old dog gets near the younger one, the younger one gets praised and rewarded. If I notice any lip raising or staring I redirect him and ask for behaviors, like sit/stays and then reward him. I want him to associate the old dog with positive things, not with getting yelled at or pushed around by me. But either way he can't do it, it's not acceptable behavior.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Answer 4

if it is the a case of the dog seeing you as being dominant over your mother, than I suggest you be submissive to your mother, the dog may respond in suit.

have no idea really, i found dog pretty obediant to me.