Very demanding dog!

[wiggal]

Hi all,

Ok, so we have 2 dogs, Ashke who is 5 now, and Cleo who is 18 months old. Ashke is a Samoyed and very very soft, and Cleo is meant to be a spaniel cross but is very much a terrier!

The problem we have, is Cleo! \she is an attention monster and doesnt allow us anywhere near Ashke if she gets her way! If I go to give Ashke any attention or try to stroke him she comes charging over and starts having a go at him. She isnt really really nasty but she barks and jumps up at him to grab his fur. Obviously this is very unfair on Ashke as he is so soppy, yet gets attacked whenever I try to give him some love.

I always try and get Cleo to sit and stay when I give Ashke attention, but it doesnt take long for her to come charging and ready to stop me!

Just looking for some advise really people, as she is very dominant of him and its just not fair!

Thanks! :)

[woofgang]

okay you put her on a lead and you MAKE her behave. If necessary she is held by someone else or tied up or put in a crate while you make a fuss of Ashke in front of her!. When you are done fussing him then you take her out of the crate or take the lead back annd correct her sharply if she tries to dominate Ashke. Ignore her after the correction. Keep her on the lead until she is calm. She is allowed to be boss of him as dogs do have a pecking order but she is not allowed to dictate to you what you do. She has to learn that she gets attention when you want to give it to her, that she cannot dictate your behaviour and she is only boss dog if you say so because you are the boss of her whole world!
we have just had the same issue with our two dogs who are brothers. I can tell you that this strategy worked for us, now we fuss eoither dog as and when we please and the other stays calm and waits their turn

[woofgang]

should have added if you put her in the crate, put her on the lead as you let her out

[wiggal]

Hi woofgang!

Thank you for your answer.

I think the main problem I have, is I am not boss of her world, she is boss of me!
We have tried seperating them, tried putting her in a crate but she goes nuts! She jumps around and whines and barks.

We cant feed them treats together or anything as she will quite happily jump up and take food out of his mouth. If they are given something, she will take it and jump on top of the kennel in the garden so she is higher then him, and also because Ashke does not jump up there unless me or my partner are outside and tell him he can.

We at one point tried to have her outside and him indoors so he could get some attention, but she jumped up at the back door so much, the whole glass pane came out!

[Pipsy3]

You have to become pack leader or this problem won't go away. I know it can be hard as you feel guilty sometime, but it is best for your dogs if you get strict with them both. Cleo is taking leader role as no one else is doing it, she probably is not happy in that position but has no choice. Both dogs will become happier and more settled when you take over. This is not dog problem but human problem !!

http://www.wikihow.com/Control-Your-Dog%27s-Be havior-by-Becoming-Pack-Leader

http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/ccp51/cc/dog-b ehaviour/packleader.shtml

[woofgang]

wiggal, you know the answer don't you :)
Seriously I suggest thast you get control of this young madam NOW before it gets serious and she tries to dominate people as well.

[woofgang]

I hit enter too soon, she certainly shouldn't be dominating him in front of you...that means that she definitely sees herself as your boss, no joke that could get dangerous

[wiggal]

Hi again people :)

Thanks for your answers.

You are right, I do feel very guilty trying to be in charge! She makes me feel like the worst mum in the world!

My partner is at least boss of her, which is a start I suppose, as she does what he says (most of the time) and if he puts her food down and stays near it she will lie down away from the food as if allowing him to eat first!

I am right at the bottom of the pack unfortunately, and I have tried to be her boss, but I suppose I just give in to easily as she seems to be a very stubborn dog! Poor Ashke doesnt even bother to battle with her anymore :( he just gives in and lets her have her way!

Thanks for the websites Pipsy, they look like they will make for some interesting reading later!

:)

[ganesh]

I do sympathise with you,you know what to do but it isn't easy to become the pack leader-what's more you have to re-inforce it for ever.I did everything the dog whisperer said but I could not stop my puppy from being SO hyper-active and excited when people came to the house or even when we met people on our walks. She has calmed down a lot and for the most part I do believe I am the pack leader,she follows me everywhere.
I think it's down to your confidence really which gives you the control that you need to sort this problem out.

[woofgang]

Just to be clear wiggal. While I am always and forever the pack leader (even DH is second in command lol) I don't stalk around in black leather with a whip and once Cleo has the idea , its amazing how soon she will settle to it. My dogs sleep at the foot of the bed if they want to, come to me and DH for cuddles, involve us in their taking it in turns to lie on their backs and be chewed by the other one games if we want to. They do all this happily and with trust because they KNOW who the boss is.
I won't say that it didn't take some perseverence to teach them but its soo worth it from everyones POV, especially the dogs. If you want to feel gulty, feel guilt about not giving them what they both need which is a strong calm assertive leader!