|
When you said "Ben actually bit him" do you mean in
anger, or was he just playing? I am not a behavioral expert, or a
professional trainer, and am probably doing things all wrong, but when Bear (my
white furball) steals something and runs with it, and I run after him and grab
it back, he will bite me in a playful way and jump around like a nut. By
the same token, if I tell him no on something, he instantly obeys, I can take
anything, even dead squirrels, rawhide, jerky, you name it away from him when we
are being serious without him doing anything but going into a submissive
posture. He will, however, not back down to any other dog we have met
which can be a problem at times at the dog park when he meets another alpha, but
we control that also. I have never, ever, spanked him or done more to
scold him than maintain eye contact and speak in a stern voice. I think
(and I could be very wrong but it's just what has worked for me) that you learn
to watch for signs that your pup is trying to move up the pecking order (past
you), and quash those tendancies immediately through things like making him sit
before he gets to do something fun, go outside, etc....just little things so
that there is no doubt in his mind that you are in charge. Bear is three
and a half years old, and, apart from the "aww dad do I have to" looks he gives
me sometimes, we haven't had any troubles for more than a year. Just
my two cents...good luck
|