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My medium sized dog is submissive to me and smaller dogs, but dominant to larger dogs!
Hi, please help. I adopted a dog 2 years ago, and from the start, he has learned that I am the alpha dog through proper training and leadership which is great. When we do to the dog park, he usually meets and greets and everything is fine for a little while, big dogs, small dogs, whatever, but after a minute or two of running and getting dogs to chase him, he thinks he is "park police" and starts to charge at dogs who are playing together, and will try to mount the dog who is playing the roughest. i do not let him. he gets protective of small dogs, and he also will get into a stalking position when a new dog enters the park, but only if it is larger than him, or the same size. then he charges at them to intimidate them. also if if big dog is trying to play or challenge him playfully, he will snap, and bark in an aggressive tone, and wont engage in play. the last time i took him to the dog park, he was playing so well, and running with a great dane and a whippet running with him, and as soon as that great dane got too close, my dog was trampled and my dog immediately barked, and snapped, and took the aggression out on both dogs. well, needless to say, overprotective owners shrieked and gave me dirty looks. he never has hurt or actually bitten a dog, and i dont think that is his intention, but he seems to think that big dogs are threatening and it makes him defensive. i try to recall him before things get out of hand, which he does at the drop of a hat, but the problem is that the switch in his head has already gone off before i ever knew what happened. i really want him to be balanced, but he feeds off the other dogs energies too. he is supposed to go to a dog daycare facility next week, and his test on saturday is to meet the female boxer mascot of the facility, and if he gets along with her, he will be admitted. i was told that they teach proper social pack behavior there, so i am really hoping that he will pass his test with her. 75% of the time he loves to play with other dogs, but im worried about that 25% that is kind of a defensive/dominant behavior. please help.....thanks!
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Dominance is very confusing
Hi Tianna, it doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about. From what you have described he is being a fairly normal dog and asserting himself quite fairly, and avoiding violence.
Good work with the recalls! It's fantastic that you can call him out when things get too exciting.
My first suggestion would be to let go of the "dominance" tag and see the behavior for what it really is.
I know you've been taught that you have to be alpha, and that dogs live in packs and all that, but the truth is canine social hierarchies are very complicated and humans read WAYYYY too much into them (and get it all wrong anyway!) Let go of the labels, and see what you see. The labels are getting you confused about what is really happening.
I think you're putting him into situations where he is getting over-aroused. Visit the park at quieter times. From what I'm reading he's getting over-stimulated, but handling it relatively well. If he has less dogs to worry about he'll learn how to get along with the bigger ones more easily and won't feel quite so threatened.
What you are calling "asserting dominance" is actually him feeling threatened by the bigger dogs. He's doing a really nice job, but I think he's got a bit much on his plate.
So basically, socialise him like you have been doing, but call him out before he gets too aroused, and try to visit the park at quieter times. Be selective about who you let him run with.
It's actually pretty unnatural to ask dogs to make lots of new friends all at once, so make it easy for him. Same goes for anyone else reading this!
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com
thanks!
I understand now and am looking at things differently, and it is true that he feels threatened by larger dogs. I found a place to take him a couple times a week where he can be with dogs that he will get to know and trust (hopefully). Its a dog daycare that is supervised, and doesn't have many dogs at one time. He seems be a good fit there so far, and when he met the boxer (who is the mascot of the facility) he seemed to really like her, but I did make sure that I kept him in check and he didn't get too over stimulated when playing with her. The owner seemed confident that he would fit in with the group. So I am hopeful that this new experience will help his social skills with other dogs continue to improve. Thanks again!
Good move...
...I think that's just what he needs. Keep his experiences with other dogs positive, stay relaxed when you're with him, call him out before he gets too aroused and he should do well.
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com
thanks!
well, so far so good! hes been at daycare for a short while. today was his 3rd day, and i was told that he made a few large dog friends that he actually wrestled with and had a good time with no defensive behavior! i am so proud of him, and it seems like a good place as you said. the first 2 days were rough and i was told he was a bit defensive with lager dogs jumping on him, but now he has taken a big step by allowing himself to bond with a dog that is larger than him! a big goldendoodle! the instructor at the daycare always calls him out before he gets too aroused, and she says he has been getting better each day, so anyway, i just wanted to give you an update! thanks again!