I own a German imported 5 month old very inbred Short Hair Pointer with a ton of ability, prey drive and energy. What other approaches can I use to better become the pack leader?

Question

Good morning,

I'm unaware of the route this e-mail would take but it's worth the chance to get sound advice. I've been around dogs my whole life and trained three dogs thru obedience, force fetch and hunting utility type levels. I regularly read your articles and listen to your pod cast, the knowledge is incredible and unbelievably free! Thank You! I own a German imported 5 month old very inbred Short Hair Pointer with a ton of ability, prey drive and energy. I have been following your logic of sit at doorway, stairs and prior to being fed. Her obedience training is coming along, she understands down, come, sit, stay and we are starting on standing in place. She is exercised regularly 3 to 5 times per week which includes work in the field mostly on line, swimming, play retrieve on line and track training every 10 days give or take. She spends time alone in her vari kennel and outside kennel but is unhappy about the outside. I live alone and strive to have an excellent working dog. She tries my patience and I'll admit losing my temper on occasion. I'm working on this specifically because I don't want to damage the handler dog relationship. My question is pertaining to defiance when loose, possessive retrieve and growling around the feed pan.

She is very smart and learns quickly but is independent and distracted very easily. My attempts to be pack leader are going well, so-so. She has growled at her feed pan now three times(two or three weeks between incidents). I quickly snatch her by her neck and pin her on the ground.

I've been following your advice about not messing with a dog around the feed pan and sparingly light stroke her and place my hand in the feed pan. What other approaches can I use to better become the pack leader? She is loaded with natural ability and appears to be what we strive for. I want to make the necessary changes now and have a great dog. Willing to work and change.

Thank You,
Gabriel

Accepted Answer

Growling is a sign of insecurity, she's unsure of your motives around her when she's eating. By snatching her up and pinning her, you are making her unsure and until you establish yourself as a fair and predictable leader, she will probably become more aggressive around her food. I wouldn't be touching her at all while she's eating. A pack leader gives the food and then doesn't mess around, they give the food and allow the dog to eat without being bothered.

Please read this article about becoming an effective pack leader.

We have a DVD on Pack Structure that I think you will find helpful as well.

I also don't think your dog is getting enough exercise. All dogs need daily exercise but your breed has extra high energy requirements. Exercise doesn't mean putting a dog in a fenced yard or a kennel. It means walks, swimming and age appropriate play every single day. I have Malinois and they have a similar exercise requirement. If I skip a day my dogs become much less focused during training and become a bit more difficult to deal with. They know the routine and remind me every day if I am running late. :)

I would also teach her to engage with you more by training with markers. Read the article titled Training With Markers. Getting a young dog mentally engaged in learning goes a long way to building up a trusting relationship.

I hope this helps.

Cindy