Dog problems-
 

I have 3 dogs-

Comet is a chihuahua mix- small, about 12-14 pounds
Carlea is a mini-weiner dog 8 pounds maybe

Raylie is a lab/shepherd mix- easily 65-70 pounds

-and lately she has been attacking the little ones. Most likely out of jealousy-but the only real difference between her and the others is that they fit on laps.

She sleep with us, just like them
Gets fed the same as them
Goes on walks when they do
Gets lovin's and pets

-but she has attacked them over a bowl on the floor, she attacked again for nothing more than Carlea being on her side of the car-and she has attacked several more times for reasons unknown-she has become very territorial and it scares me to think what she could do to them.

I have neither time nor experience at training a dog out of this behavior-and I fear she may need a new home.

Thoughts?

I have nothing to offer you other than my hopes that you'll get this situation remedied - I'm sure Lisa will have more constructive ideas.

Hang in there - I'm sure you're a great doggie mommy.

My MiL swears by a TV show called the Dog Whisperer. I've not seen it but she's got her lil doggie wrapped around her finger.

Other than the aggression, how is Raylie? Is she gaining/losing weight, drinking more or less, urinating where she should not, etc?

Yep, that show is awesome.

Sounds like the lab mix thinks she's the alpha. You need to reestablish your dominance at the top of the pack.

What kind of "attacking" Is it just a growl and a snap or serious fights?

Raylie has decided to become the Alpha in the pack - and that pack includes the family. She may be feeling that there is currently no Alpha and she is forced to be it. A pack can only have one leader and that leader needs to be a person for you to have any control over your dog. Raylie is assuming the position of leader and is displaying her self-proclaimed Alpha behavor by starting first with the other dogs. If you don't train her out of this behavior, she will continue with her alpha behavior with the rest of the family - and it could get dangerous.

Dogs really want to please their leaders. They just have to know that YOU are the leader. They don't learn to be obedient to their leader through voice commands - so don't yell at her - but through non-verbal commands.

I'm not a fan of Cesar Milan (or the Dog Whisperer) because he's a little TOO domineering for my taste. He doesn't train through love but through being overbearing. For some dogs, this might be necessary, but most of the time, it isn't. I prefer Kathy Santo's methods.

Get a good book so you can understand dog psychology and esteem. Once you learn what motivates your dog, you can easily train her away from bad behaviors. In the meantime, feed the small dogs away from her.

Ok doggie experts - this thread has inspired me to ask my own question.

Why does our chihuahua try to make a break for it every time the front door is opened? He'll slip out and run at breakneck speed stopping only to pee on the way... and he'll stop only long enough for one of the kids to close in on him and he's off again. I'm afraid he's going to get run over on one of these escapades.

Is he not getting out enough? not enough excersize? He's just a little guy and I know he doesn't need as much excersize as a big dog does. I swear - he's a little lap sitter / couch sleeper for the vast majority of the day.

OK... Did anyone else start hearing I Want To Break Free by Queen in their head while reading this?


Anyone?


No?


Just me then...