Dominant Dog

[Micky Moo]

I rescued an 18 month old Lhasa Apso Cross from the Pound about 6 months ago. 90% of the time he is a lovely dog, who only wants to be loved. Unfortunately, HE thinks he is the pack leader. I make him eat after we have eaten, he has to wait for me to go through the door before he can, I have taught him using the CLICKER, but he seems to know when I have a treat and is reluctant to the point of ignorance if I don't have a treat. I make sure that all his experiences are positive when he comes to me, I make sure he works for everything, ie; 'sit', 'lay down' before he gets what he wants, I don't allow him to instigate play time. But still he thinks he is the boss. He doesn't sleep on my bed, I only allow him on my knee if I'm sitting on the floor, he doesn't pull on the leash as I use a RSPCA endorsed head halter. Using the clicker and treats he has learnt many things, but will only do them without the clicker if he feels like it, he looks at me as though I've got a nerve telling him to do something! I have trained many dogs, as well as horses and he is the most stubborn animal I have ever come across. Having hair rather than fur he needs clipping on a regular basis, which is abit of an ordeal because I've had to find a groomer who deals with difficult dogs as when he get's fed up he makes sure everyone knows by using his teeth.
He barks at my mum, trying to instigate her to play, to which we give him a time out. He uses his teeth (gently, almost like a puppy mouthes) to try and stop what ever is being done to him(brushing, putting on the leash, taking off the leash.) I've tried all sorts to make him realise that teeth are not to be used; walking away, stopping the playing, ignoring him, but he just takes it in his stride. He's quite happy to play by himself with any human company. He really is a bully. But he is well socialised, he loves to play (nicely) with other dogs and is fine meeting people (no fear issues). He's been sterilised at about 18 months. He get's plenty of exercise and I make sure we interact either with teaching obedience or playtime throughout the day.
What am I not doing? How can I make him see me as the pack leader? Am I expecting too much too soon? Should I consult an Animal Behaviouralist or have a one on one training session? Please I need to know that I am on the right track.

[MaryAnn]

WOW!!! It sounds like the poor thing was ill-treated or abandoned in the past. Thank you for rescuing him. Do you know anything about him before you rescued him? It is easier to blame problem behavior on a dog's character than to look at how the enviroment we have created might be affecting him.

You seem to be doing a lot of things correctly...such as you eating first and going through the doorway first. If you trained your dog by treating every time he does what you asked...yes...he will most likely only work for treats. When first teaching a dog something new..you treat everytime; when they learn it...you treat randomly...every other time, every second or third time, etc... mix it up...so they will want to work harder so they can earn that treat. I would start out using high-value treats like hot dogs or cheese or chicken.

Many dogs are toy-motivated. Have you tried rewarding with something other than food treats...Perhaps a wakl/jog or a game. Always give your dog plenty of EXERCISE, DISCIPLINE, and AFFECTION in that order.

Be sure to always use calm authority. Dogs pick up on every nuance of human behavior. When we are upset, anxious, nervous, or stressed, our moods rub off on our four-legged friends. Projecting a calm, confident, and happy image will speak volumes to your dog.

I personally would seek the expertise of a certified dog behaviorist. Check with the AKC to find one in your area.

[Sarah]

He thinks he is the Alpha because He is the Alpha. He does this tricks and stunts because he wants the treats, it's not because he is bonding with you or that he respects you. He does them because he gets treats. What I pick up in your writing is that you are not an assertive type of person, and this is what is needed in your rleationship with your dog. Once you become assertive in what you want your dog to do, and how to behave, he will change.

[Micky Moo]

Thankyou for your comments and advice. I need to add more information so as to clarify. I am quite an assertive person, especially when it comes to animals, don't get me wrong I love my animals to bits, but I never allow them to walk all over me. I always use a clear, firm voice when asking my dog to do something, and I try not to repeat the command unless the dog has not heard me. Otherwise I "reset" the dog's position and ask again and give praise lavishly went a target has been reached. I believed that rewarding the positive works far better than reprimanding the bad. He will sit, stay and 70% of the time come when called (funnily enough he comes when called everytime he has ever got out) fortunately we live in a Village so he knows everybody and cars are not an issue. The advice about the treats is a good one, I think I will also hide them on my person also so he can't see the "treat pouch".
The time we spent going through training paces today, he seemed to be trying really hard to be good, it was if he new I was not happy with him yesterday and was making up for it today. I know that sounds stupid, but it was so coincidental, lol.
I don't really know anything about his background, but by his behaviour I don't think he was abused as he has no fear issues and plays well with other dogs as though he has been socialised as a pup. He is also very fond of people, with no drama will go to strangers if they bend to pet him. I feel he has just been left to his own devices in a yard. When we got him, he had absolutely no idea how to "learn" let alone manners. I have been working with him solidly for about 4 months now, and though people who see him tell me his behaviour is improving, I feel because he is so intelligent he should be farther along than he is. I walk him twice a day; about 1hour and a half in the morning and 40minutes in the evening. As I have a spinal difficulty that makes walking difficult, I use a "gopher" to walk him. He walks really well by the gopher and always on a loose leash, he very rarely pulls. Using the gopher allows me to walk him further than walking by foot would allow. "A tired dog is a good dog!"
Apart from his dominant behaviour he is a lovely dog and I wouldn't trade him for the world, I just want him to learn his place and stop pushing the boundaries.
Again any ideas as to what I can do to make him see that he is NOT the head of the pack!

[MaryAnn]

It does sound like he has been left outdoors or left alone the majority of the time and has never been around his human family much. That would explain the "happy to play by himself"....as he probably never interacted with any members of his human family before..until now. Thank you so very much for rescuing him.

Dogs (as I am sure you already know) are individuals and they all learn at different rates. Some catch on faster than others. I would not try to OVERLOAD him so much, but pick one or two things only to work on at a time. And remember to always use positive reinforcement only and reward calm behavior.

There is never any reason to raise our voices to any living creature ever. As a leader you must show calm authority. Think of yourself as the managing director of your company. It is much easier for people to follow a boss who is calm and in control. Like I stated above....Dogs pick up every nuance of human behavior. When we're upset, anxious, nervous, or stressed, our moods rub off on our four-legged friends. Projecting a calm, confident, and happy image will speak volumes to your dog.