We have two dogs at present Keegan is my wife's retired guide dog he
is a GSD, 10 years old and is big gentle cuddy bear of a dog. Our pet
dog Suki is 22 months, looks like a GSD but is Much smaller closer in
size to a Belgian Shepherd or maybe she is a cross, she is energetic
active and bossy.

The Problem
My wife has been waiting for a new guide dog for a long while, she
wants another GSD and in the UK they are rather rare. Last Friday a
trainer brought a dog for a try-out and my wife was very pleased with
it, the trouble is that Suki
as usual tried to boss her about. The potential guide dog felt rather
nervous and the trainer was worried that Suki would ruin all the
training that she has done.
The trainer plans to come and see us again in about three weeks and
take the dogs to a neutral area and reintroduce them. My wife would be
very disappointed if she was to miss out on the new dog and would
probably face another long wait. I should point out that the new dog
wont finish its training until mid December.

When I walk Suki she is VERY enthusiastic, after two or three minuets
she starts to improve and can walk quite nicely but if she sees
another dog she barks and becomes exited. When with other dogs she
asserts herself. Keegan being a big
softie lets her have her own way and other dogs usually back off and
are nervous.Suki is not nasty she just wants to be the boss.

Just to expand, Suki is great
with people she is everybody's friend. As you probably suspect she is
rather spoilt. We got her from the a Rescue Centre. Suki very prety,
she is great in the house and she is wonderful if we have to leave her
on her own for a while even thouh she likes to be near me most of the
tine, but as I said she is rather bossy. With Keegan for example she
will take toys from him, and she is very eager. She wants to do
everything and she wants to do
it now and she wants to do it first.
I have started to try to change things by paying a lot less attention
to her and withdrawn her favourite thing (belly tickles) I am only
giving her a stroke when I want to. I call her, make her sit, then
stroke her and when I let her out I get her to lay until I open the
door and step out myself.
Oh yes, and NO laying on settee, chairs, or bed. I think I have made a
little progress. If she does get on the settee a sharp OFF does the
trick and getting her to lay while I open the door (not easy) seems
like a miracle compared to the speed she used to exit.
I have bought a training book from ebay (Dog Problems the Gentle
Modern Way by David Weston and Ruth Ross) and a book on the dogs mind.
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance? or is she/does she think she
is/or does she want to be the alpha dog. I did take her to a dog
training class for a while but she pulled so much (I've got my lead on
so we should be outsid!) that I gave up. I hace obtained a head collar
for her and intend to resume classes even if it is just for the dog
association experience?. I also plan to start walking Suki at a time
when there will be other dogs in the park.

Any advice will be gratefully received.

Ed

to reply remove "MY LEAD"

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Thanks for the reply Leah
I can't really describe her body language
She is very active, eager. usually bold.
When out on the lead if she sees other dogs she will try to run toward
them, although she is fairly small (about 22 inches at shoulder and
perhaps 50 pounds) she is very strong but so am I.
As I said she will take toys off Keegan (about 100 pounds)
and she will sometimes 'bounce him' she runs or jumps at him with
mouth open and yelps as if to try and 'put him in his place'
They have on a couple of occasions had a bit of a scuffle but more
noise than action.
Suki plays with our kitten and although we sometimes get a little
anxious the kitten always comes back for more and they are the best of
friends.
A friend gave us some instructions she found on the internet, this
involved ignoring your dog for 48 hours and then interacting with your
dog on YOUR terms, it was not easy but it has made a difference, I no
longer let her grab my attention jump up or get on the settee and am
firmer with her, she only gets a fuss after she sits. and with the
help of the head collar I am making her slow down and walk to heel
(not easy).

Regards

Ed

to reply remove "MY LEAD"

On 27 Sep 2004 14:46:03 GMT, URK-OFF (Leah) wrote:

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Thanks for the reply Leah
I can't really describe her body language
She is very active, eager. usually bold.
When out on the lead if she sees other dogs she will try to run toward
them, although she is fairly small (about 22 inches at shoulder and
perhaps 50 pounds) she is very strong but so am I.
As I said she will take toys off Keegan (about 100 pounds)
and she will sometimes 'bounce him' she runs or jumps at him with
mouth open and yelps as if to try and 'put him in his place'
They have on a couple of occasions had a bit of a scuffle but more
noise than action.
Suki plays with our kitten and although we sometimes get a little
anxious the kitten always comes back for more and they are the best of
friends.
A friend gave us some instructions she found on the internet, this
involved ignoring your dog for 48 hours and then interacting with your
dog on YOUR terms, it was not easy but it has made a difference, I no
longer let her grab my attention jump up or get on the settee and am
firmer with her, she only gets a fuss after she sits. and with the
help of the head collar I am making her slow down and walk to heel
(not easy).

Regards

Ed

to reply remove "MY LEAD"

On 27 Sep 2004 14:46:03 GMT, URK-OFF (Leah) wrote:

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Thanks for the reply Leah
I can't really describe her body language
She is very active, eager. usually bold.
When out on the lead if she sees other dogs she will try to run toward
them, although she is fairly small (about 22 inches at shoulder and
perhaps 50 pounds) she is very strong but so am I.
As I said she will take toys off Keegan (about 100 pounds)
and she will sometimes 'bounce him' she runs or jumps at him with
mouth open and yelps as if to try and 'put him in his place'
They have on a couple of occasions had a bit of a scuffle but more
noise than action.
Suki plays with our kitten and although we sometimes get a little
anxious the kitten always comes back for more and they are the best of
friends.
A friend gave us some instructions she found on the internet, this
involved ignoring your dog for 48 hours and then interacting with your
dog on YOUR terms, it was not easy but it has made a difference, I no
longer let her grab my attention jump up or get on the settee and am
firmer with her, she only gets a fuss after she sits. and with the
help of the head collar I am making her slow down and walk to heel
(not easy).

Regards

Ed

to reply remove "MY LEAD"

On 27 Sep 2004 14:46:03 GMT, URK-OFF (Leah) wrote:

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

Thanks for the reply Leah
I can't really describe her body language
She is very active, eager. usually bold.
When out on the lead if she sees other dogs she will try to run toward
them, although she is fairly small (about 22 inches at shoulder and
perhaps 50 pounds) she is very strong but so am I.
As I said she will take toys off Keegan (about 100 pounds)
and she will sometimes 'bounce him' she runs or jumps at him with
mouth open and yelps as if to try and 'put him in his place'
They have on a couple of occasions had a bit of a scuffle but more
noise than action.
Suki plays with our kitten and although we sometimes get a little
anxious the kitten always comes back for more and they are the best of
friends.
A friend gave us some instructions she found on the internet, this
involved ignoring your dog for 48 hours and then interacting with your
dog on YOUR terms, it was not easy but it has made a difference, I no
longer let her grab my attention jump up or get on the settee and am
firmer with her, she only gets a fuss after she sits. and with the
help of the head collar I am making her slow down and walk to heel
(not easy).

Regards

Ed

to reply remove "MY LEAD"

On 27 Sep 2004 14:46:03 GMT, URK-OFF (Leah) wrote:

Ed wrote:
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance?

Hard to say, without seeing the dog. But from what you've described and her
age, it sounds like it. "Dominance" is an overused and badly used term, but in
this case, it does sound like she wants to be alpha. That does not normally
mean that she *is* alpha, by the way. :}

What kind of body language is she using?

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 13:00:55 GMT Ed whittled these words:

I have bought a training book from ebay (Dog Problems the Gentle
Modern Way by David Weston and Ruth Ross) and a book on the dogs mind.
I suppose the key thing is to identify the cause and description of
the problem, would you call it dominance? or is she/does she think she
is/or does she want to be the alpha dog. I did take her to a dog

Bitches - especially GSD bitches - normally want to be in control of all
other dogs in the area.

training class for a while but she pulled so much (I've got my lead on
so we should be outsid!) that I gave up. I hace obtained a head collar

find a more effective class.

for her and intend to resume classes even if it is just for the dog
association experience?. I also plan to start walking Suki at a time
when there will be other dogs in the park.

You left out a very critical piece of information. What sex is the
proposed guide dog? If it is a bitch you are looking at very different
issues than if it is male.

You need to get to physical classes with a honestly skilled trainer who
can see your dog, and how you handle your dog in various situations.
Internet advice is going to be nothing but guess work.

--
Diane Blackman
http://dog-play.com/
http://dogplay.com/Shop/