balkcalb Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) I have a 14mo male who is becoming a little too big for his boots. Since he turned 9mo he started to try and 'step' over my veteran 11yo female (spayed). I told him to stop this behaviour and constantly watch him with her, she spends a lot of time away from him as she is too old to be bothered being pulled around. Over the past month I have watched him actually walk over the top of her when she is laying down and just stand there. When I see him do this I either distract him where possible or just call him off her and say No. Anyone got any advise on how to teach him to calm it down a bit with his testosterone? They get on well together, they don't get into fights or anything, I just know my veteran can't be bothered by him being macho is all. Edited September 13, 2012 by balkcalb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 My male puppy does this to my middle aged bitch. It seems to me he deliberately tries to antagonise her to initiate a game. If she does nothing he gives up. They both seem very relaxed and his other behaviour indicates to me that in general she gets the final word. Are there any other behaviours that suggest this could be a problem in your household? How does your other dog react to him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balkcalb Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 The other behaviour is I know he is pushing her around a bit. She will sit up on the table at the back door till I let her in. She doesn't play with him unless I am outside with them. She has a coat for the winter, she has been outside with him with it on for this past winter with no probs but last week when I left her outside with him when I went to town for 5 hours for the day to do shopping when I got home her coat was off her and all the outside of it is ripped, him pulling it off her I am guessing then playing with it afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balkcalb Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 I should add, in the past 4 months my hubby passed away. Normally the older dog would have had a go about being boss. Over the past 4 months she seems to have given up bothering with any sign of dominance or assertiveness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harley Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I am sorry to heAr about your husband Was your girl particularly close to him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balkcalb Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) I am sorry to heAr about your husband Was your girl particularly close to him? Yes she was and thankyou for your kindness. Edited September 13, 2012 by balkcalb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I should add, in the past 4 months my hubby passed away. Normally the older dog would have had a go about being boss. Over the past 4 months she seems to have given up bothering with any sign of dominance or assertiveness. It sounds like your male has decided to now become the "man of the house" and your old girl is going to let him take over. If she really was bothered by his behaviour she would pull him into line. Even without a the complication of a family bereavement, sometimes there is a change of leadership in the pack as a youngster matures and the oldie decides to relinquish the position. Part of his posturing may be to try to get her to play and wrestle but if she is ignoring him I would probably continue to let him know it is bad manners but not stress about it too much. Some serious obedience training now would help remind him that you are in fact the pack leader, even if he is now in second place. I have always had alpha bitches who have dominated my boys. My current layed back entire male BC had his aunt and mum to contend with so became bottom of the pack at the time. His aunt passed away and then last year his mum and at 7 years he was completely lost as an only dog. I aquired a little JS entire male puppy last year to keep him company and he has never been assertive at all with the JS, letting him be in charge. The now 14 month old JS did try standing over the BCs head and can appear to be very dominant but taken to a show he submits to every other dog so most of it at home is just trying to see how far he can push the boundaries and see if I react. He also grabs the BCs coat and ears trying to get him to play chasings. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Overall they are good buddies and I do not see any sign that there will ever be any trouble between them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balkcalb Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 I should add, in the past 4 months my hubby passed away. Normally the older dog would have had a go about being boss. Over the past 4 months she seems to have given up bothering with any sign of dominance or assertiveness. It sounds like your male has decided to now become the "man of the house" and your old girl is going to let him take over. If she really was bothered by his behaviour she would pull him into line. Even without a the complication of a family bereavement, sometimes there is a change of leadership in the pack as a youngster matures and the oldie decides to relinquish the position. Part of his posturing may be to try to get her to play and wrestle but if she is ignoring him I would probably continue to let him know it is bad manners but not stress about it too much. Some serious obedience training now would help remind him that you are in fact the pack leader, even if he is now in second place. I have always had alpha bitches who have dominated my boys. My current layed back entire male BC had his aunt and mum to contend with so became bottom of the pack at the time. His aunt passed away and then last year his mum and at 7 years he was completely lost as an only dog. I aquired a little JS entire male puppy last year to keep him company and he has never been assertive at all with the JS, letting him be in charge. The now 14 month old JS did try standing over the BCs head and can appear to be very dominant but taken to a show he submits to every other dog so most of it at home is just trying to see how far he can push the boundaries and see if I react. He also grabs the BCs coat and ears trying to get him to play chasings. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Overall they are good buddies and I do not see any sign that there will ever be any trouble between them. I have been to blame, he has been allowed inside and slowly dominated my bedroom, it's my fault I have needed both dogs close. The older dog was brought up to be so very well behaved in the house, she just minds her manners. I need to re-affirm my Alpha status here a bit, thanks for the advise from you all. I'm back on track :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I have been to blame, he has been allowed inside and slowly dominated my bedroom, it's my fault I have needed both dogs close. The older dog was brought up to be so very well behaved in the house, she just minds her manners. I need to re-affirm my Alpha status here a bit, thanks for the advise from you all. I'm back on track :) Oh please don't remove the dogs because of alpha concepts If they are providing comfort for you they are doing their doggy job! The idea that a dog sleeping on your bed = dominance doesn't even make sense with the internal logic of common dominance theory. Even if we do accept that dogs = wolves (which I don't), wolves don't have beds! How would desert or plains wolves establish dominance when their sleeping areas are always flat? It makes no sense. Train the dog you have in front of you, all the dominance theory in the world won't train a dog :) As RubyBlue said earlier , he may well be just trying to get a reaction from her. My boy is more playful than my girl and is constantly trying things to get her to notice him, including pawing her in the face, barking in her face, rolling over onto his back, and putting a paw over her back (unsuccesful 95% of the time, but cute to watch :laugh:). She can handle it, but if he's being extra obnoxious I just call him away and send him to his mat or do some other distracting trick. If I was really worried about my girl I would make sure they were separated when I couldn't observe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 The idea that a dog sleeping on your bed = dominance doesn't even make sense with the internal logic of common dominance theory. Even if we do accept that dogs = wolves (which I don't), wolves don't have beds! How would desert or plains wolves establish dominance when their sleeping areas are always flat? It makes no sense. Train the dog you have in front of you, all the dominance theory in the world won't train a dog :) :) Your boy is a young adult .. and is learning /practising all sorts of things. Ripping her coat off would have been a great game for him..upsetting for her - and not done to 'attack' her ..just because it was fun . Felt good/sounded good ..and moved!! I suggest you love your boy - give him all the praise and cuddles and access he craves ..BUT ... he needs to do something in return :) he will very quickly learn what works , so long as you are consistent . read about Nothing In Life Is Free HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Alpha won't gain you any success,both parties need to respect each other. I truly don't read anything that sounds like be is being dominant. I read more like he is very bored & simply wants more to do . Does he get walked & plenty of activities for his 15 month old needs?? The coat part would happen here given the chance ,it was a game . Enjoying your dogs isn't a crime ,i have 3 that sleep on my bed & i wouldn't have it any other way but they now the rules,i now the rules & we all enjoy the company (my guys are 30 /40kg) They bring great comfort when required Your old girl is old & has her routine & needs ,your boy is young & ready to enjoy life ,its time to give him what he needs & let her enjoy time out when required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I should add, in the past 4 months my hubby passed away. Normally the older dog would have had a go about being boss. Over the past 4 months she seems to have given up bothering with any sign of dominance or assertiveness. It sounds like your male has decided to now become the "man of the house" and your old girl is going to let him take over. If she really was bothered by his behaviour she would pull him into line. Even without a the complication of a family bereavement, sometimes there is a change of leadership in the pack as a youngster matures and the oldie decides to relinquish the position. Part of his posturing may be to try to get her to play and wrestle but if she is ignoring him I would probably continue to let him know it is bad manners but not stress about it too much. Some serious obedience training now would help remind him that you are in fact the pack leader, even if he is now in second place. I have always had alpha bitches who have dominated my boys. My current layed back entire male BC had his aunt and mum to contend with so became bottom of the pack at the time. His aunt passed away and then last year his mum and at 7 years he was completely lost as an only dog. I aquired a little JS entire male puppy last year to keep him company and he has never been assertive at all with the JS, letting him be in charge. The now 14 month old JS did try standing over the BCs head and can appear to be very dominant but taken to a show he submits to every other dog so most of it at home is just trying to see how far he can push the boundaries and see if I react. He also grabs the BCs coat and ears trying to get him to play chasings. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Overall they are good buddies and I do not see any sign that there will ever be any trouble between them. I have been to blame, he has been allowed inside and slowly dominated my bedroom, it's my fault I have needed both dogs close. The older dog was brought up to be so very well behaved in the house, she just minds her manners. I need to re-affirm my Alpha status here a bit, thanks for the advise from you all. I'm back on track :) There is nothing wrong with having yours dogs close for comfort and your boy is just being a bit of a teenage brat. If he was showing signs of aggression it might be a different story but at this stage he probably just needs a bit more direction and training. You really only run into serious problems with not being Alpha with truly dominant dogs and they are fairly rare. Don't blame yourself for not being in a position to do more early training with him. My JS is the least trained dog I have ever had at 14 months but I am still recovering from a car accident I had when he was 11 weeks old so have not been able to any of my usual training with him. He is pretty good in the house, affectionate and well socialised so I am happy with that for now. More serious training can come when I am physically capable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balkcalb Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 Thank you everyone. Needless to say he is inside at night still, I just can't leave him outside. Neither dogs sleep on my bed btw, they have their own doggy couches on the floor beside mine. I have needed them desperately these past few months, they are very clingy to me and vise-versa. My son takes the young 'brat' lol for a run every night after school and I play fetch during the day, he is also daily trained as I show him. Over the past week I have just re-asserted myself to him in a positive way and when he is doing undesirable behaviour I have taken him outside to cool off for 5 then gone out, thrown a ball around for a little bit then brought him back inside, it seems to be working, he hasn't stood over her in the past 2 days. Also I looked at her coat and realized it probably was just a bit of good fun for him to rip it up after he pulled it off her, she didn't have any kind of wounds or marks on her so I'm guessing the ripping happened when her coat was on the ground. There goes a $30 coat. Why oh why are pups so destructive lol that's 1 coat, 2 foam beds, my flyscreen door to mention just a few wrecked things from this crazy but lovable dog :) Thanks again for all the replies of advise and help, I have taken a bit from each of you. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 :) Thank you for updating , and I'm glad there is good news!. I hope it continues- well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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