my puppy dominates

linkdog · #1 26th October 2006, 10:50 AM

my 14wk old puppy, lincoln, has just started puppy socialization/training class. He spends the entire time making sure the other dogs, which are toy sized, know he's the alpha male. I know this is normal behavior, but I think it irritates the other dogs owners. When larger dogs play with lincoln they only spend a brief time asserting dominance, then they get along well. Why does my dog spend all of the time asserting dominance? Is there a good way to train a dog to not be so dominating with smaller dogs?

As a side note, when should i vaccinate for rabies? Lincolns trainer told me i need to have it done for him to continue classes but i've heard its not done until 6 months.

stephan,
lincoln - male flashy brindle

ehayes21 · #2 26th October 2006, 11:11 AM

When you say dominate...exactly what is he doing? Some one correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure at 14 weeks he doesn't have a clue about being the alpha male...

mybubbieroo · #3 26th October 2006, 11:36 AM

According to my vet vaccinations should be complete by 12 to 16 weeks. He schedules them at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. Not sure which trip he gives the rabies shot.

ELubas · #4 26th October 2006, 01:51 PM

I believe the rabies shot is the last one they get at 12-16 wks. My boxer girl is very pushy and always has been. I think they just have the personality they have. I do think there is some pack order stuff going on here and he is smart enough to not challenge the big guys but is more confident challening the guys that are smaller than him-particularly if they are submissive or very tolerant with him, which a lot of adult dogs will be with puppies. I would be curious, as well, to know exctly what the behaviors are that he is exhibiting. My girl was jumping up on, and snarling at, strange dogs since she was three months old but in the end she just wants to play. Have had to do a lot of work though to curtail that nasty stuff...

linkdog · #5 26th October 2006, 02:17 PM

He will growl, bark, and nip at the male pug while he climbs on his back. He will stand over the smaller female puppy and occassionally nip at the top of her head and then lick her head. he was only exposed to one other dog smaller than him before the class and he did the acted similarly. he pinned her to the ground and growled and barked at her.
The puppies only socialize for chort periods of time, maybe he needs more time with them.

stephan
Lincoln - male flashy brindle

ELubas · #6 26th October 2006, 02:51 PM

He's a litte punk

Kidding-that's what my friend calls my girl. I think it is pushy play and he is a little opportunistic with the small dogs. The more you socialize the more he will earn the rules of the road and hopefully he will meet good stable adult dogs who will put him in his place. What does the instructor think of his antics?

linkdog · #7 26th October 2006, 03:16 PM

The instructor says that its normal behavior, I guess i just didn't want the other owners to be concerned. My wife and i joke around about the way he acts in class. We know he's loving goofball. I do bring him around older and bigger dogs as much as possible so he can be 'put in his place' so to speak. He gets most of the 'ohhh, he's so cute,' from customers at the pet store where i'm taking the classes. I also check with the vet he said 16 weeks, so hopefully the instructor will let it slide for a couple weeks.

stephan
lincoln - male flashy brindle

ELubas · #8 27th October 2006, 02:30 PM

Sometimes people do not get boxers-the rough play,etc. It is just thier way. If the instructor is cool about it that would be good enough for me-if they thought there was a problem they would tell you. I started puppy class before all the shots were done-you don 't want to wait until they are 16 weeks. Good luck-boxers are goofy and made to make you laugh!