**megs**

Leigha12

3) I have a puppy that I am having dominance issues with. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out. I think I have tried to hard to be buddy-buddy with him, because though we have become closer than he is with K, he doesn't respect or listen to me half the time. I have been reading about it and working to correct it, but it is extremely frustrating!

I know how you feel. DH is definitely the alpha and I had a lot of trouble asserting my dominance over Rufus.  I did some things the Pets board wouldn't approve of, but I think we're finally there. Here are the top two things I think worked for me. 1) I did not hesitate to pin him to the ground and stare him down (cesar style). When he finally looks away, let him go. I pinned him gently even though DH said I needed to be more forceful.  My way worked, it just took longer. 2) The feeding ritual! Be the one to feed him. I started making Rufus sit and wait while I dished out his food. The second he stood up, I stopped and re-commanded him to sit.  Then I would show him the food, but make him look at me and ignore the food. Then he has to sit in the kitchen while I take his food to his feeding spot near his crate. Only when I give him the break command can he come eat. Any time he didn't do what he was supposed to, the food bowl went up on the counter until he listened.  In the beginning of this ritual, I did take his food away a couple of times randomly to remind him I'm the boss.  Usually it was only for a few seconds, and he has to sit to get it back. 

Honestly, it took less than a week to get him to do exactly what I wanted at feeding time and I think it made a huge difference in our relationship.

megs1383

Glad to know I am not alone!

I haven't tried pinning Dill down yet, though a few people have recommended it to me.

I have been starting to work on the food stuff... I've always been the one to feed him, at least 80% of the time. But now I am working on making him sit and wait for me to release him to eat, and he is doing quite well! I'm not as far as you yet though, I can do it from a few feet away but not from the other room.

I also keep reading that we should eat our dinner first before he gets his food. I am guilty there too, I usually come home, feed the dog & cats while I am making my dinner (just to get it out of the way).

But as far as obeying other commands, for a while there he had to know that I had a really good treat before he would listen to me at all. He listens to K much better. And I'm hoping that his recent neutering will tone down some of his more unsightly methods of showing dominance, if you get my drift...

 

Leigha12

oh my to his methods! I'm grateful Rufus hadn't started what I assume you're talking about pre-neutering, and he still hasn't. I sure hope that doesn't change! Hope the neutering does help you guys!

I read about the feeding time thing, too, but we don't do that. Rufus eats at 7am and 6pm (used to be 6 and 6 but he doesn't like to wake up that early anymore), and DH and I usually eat around 9. Doesn't seem to be a problem. As long as you're not feeding him from the table (if you do give him acceptable people food, put it in his bowl), I don't think eating before them is necessary.

Any time he breaks command in the feeding ritual, just lead him back to where he was supposed to sit and try it again. This is where the patience is needed. It may take 5-10 minutes to feed him instead of 2 because you have to keep redirecting him.

As long as you keep it up, he should get better. I really think the food is the key. DH feeds him breakfast now most of the time, but I had to get up early for a while to make sure I fed him until I felt comfortable with him respecting me.   I can't remember how long you've had Dill, but I think it was probably 4-5 months until Rufus understood that we weren't equals.