dominance

[bluesmum]

Bailey continues to show his dominance with Blue and that's fine, Blue is accepting his position and is happy for it to be this way.

He is also trying it on with us and I find that we have to be very firm with him all of the time  although when Bailey wants to he can be the sweetest most cuddly cocker that ever there was  :wink:

Today Bailey found a pigs ear that Blue must have hidden and when I went to take it from him as I was worried about his teeth on it, he very visiciosly went for me, he didn't catch me  :wink:  but I became very aware of how he was over the ear and had to hold his head out of the way whilst I retreived the ear as he was snapping and snarling to get it back! I then rewarded him for giving me the ear although he didn't really! :? did I do the right thing?

I always add extra food to his bowl whilst he is eating and Bailey is happy for me to have my hands near his food usually, this is the first time anything like this has ever happened and I dont think it is a one off!

Also he is getting much better around people but still gives a little growl for no reason at all :roll:  and is still screaming and hiding when he meets other dogs, I'm really trying with him and he goes every where with me so meets lots and lots of different people and dog's and has done since he was 8 weeks old, any idea's on how he can overcome this                    

[taniac]

This sounds very familiar, Jovi's (5 mths) very similar when food is concerned, although he's more guarding with Neo then us.  On Neo's birthday they both had ham bones and Jovi took his off to the garden.  I thought I'd take the bone away from him to get him used to me taking it away.  The first time he really growled and was snappy jaws (although being a puppy the jaws are going all the time), but I rewarded him with some cheese then gave the bone back.  I did it several more times, rewarding him and giving the bone back and he got better.

I think Jovi's going to be dominant over Neo too, although maybe that'll change once he's no longer a puppy, but Neo is sooo laid back and tolerant. He'd let Jovi eat both lots of food silly thing!

Continue what you're doing, and maybe set him up with a chew and then offer him something else (sausage, cheese etc) and reward him when he gives it to you.  

I don't know about the crying and running away. Jovi doesn't run away from any dog (the bigger the better).  Maybe again you can find away to set up a controlled meet with another dog, and praise/treat him for just being around the other dog, and treat him if he gets close etc?                    

[lizzy]

I think you are doing things the right way by being firm with him, it sounds like he has a strong willed nature and is going to try it on with you.

Evie was very much like that at first and I was quite shocked because Molly is the total opposite ,very meek and mild! But I have a no nonsense attitude with her and she gets away with nothing! :wink:

At first when she had a treat if I went near her she would bark and growl, so I would offer her something else and praise her when she let me take it,now there is no growling or barking.

I think he is still growling at people out of fear, I think it just needs time and patience and I'm sure he will grow out of it. ( as I've said before Evie was the same with strangers and she also screamed at other dogs )

Have you a friend with a calm and laid back adult dog, that you could spend sometime every day with? This might de-sensitize Bailey's fear of dogs.

Something I learnt with having Evie that socialisation is not just something for the first few weeks, it's an ongoing thing that needs working on, because she has a very fearful nature and needs reassuring all the time.

He is still very young and I'm sure with your help and understanding he will turn out just fine, it might just not be as easy as it was with Blue!


Lizzy Molly and Evie                    

[bluesmum]

it might just not be as easy as it was with Blue! :lol

LOL Lizzy you've hit the nail on the head there

Blue was an absolute dream, never a had any problem's with him at all he was such a good puppy, Bailey on the other hand is more than making up for that :roll:  

Still you gotta love em!  :wink:

I'll keep on him as I have been doing, I feel like I'm constantly shouting his name! :roll:  and hopefully things will all fall into place soon    HOPEFULLY!!!!  :roll:                          

[TOPAZ BILLY]

Maria,

Don't worry going through exactly the same here :roll: all I ever seem to be saying is "No Abby" Stop Abby" "Down Abby".

Michelle                    

[taniac]

Maybe it's 2nd dogs, they are more confident/dominant at home because they have another one around to follow/compete against??

I am always saying that Neo was so laid back and easy compare to Jovi, but my partner Gareth just thinks I have rose-tinted glasses and a forgetful nature                        

[lizzy]

I think you could be right Tania, my youngest Evie is very pushy towards Molly who is 2 and a half.

She's always trying to take her toys and chews and most of the time she gets away with it :evil:

The other day I came in from shopping and put a bag of JWB on the floor while I put something else away, I could hear Evie growling and making a fuss so I went to see what she was up to and she was guarding the bag of dog food from Molly :evil:  

Evie is called : chocolate terror, chocolate monster, little hooligan etc...
you get the picture!!  :wink: thats just a few of her little nicknames!


Lizzy Molly and Evie                    

[taniac]

Or could it be the chocolate gene?  Neo's choc, white & tan... Mmm come to think of it Bailey's black and tan, maybe it's the tan gene that's the problem!!!!!