December 19, 2011
My dog sees my husband as the pack leader and listens to him, but she doesn't with me. What can I do to get her to listen to me?
Full Question:
I have a question, I have a 11 month old pyr/berner mix and generally she's an all around great dog. She has had training since 10 weeks, finished 2 sessions, and knows all her basic commands. She views my husband as the Pack Leader and he just needs to point and ask her to do something and she does it. Not with me. I try to do all the same things he does, but she will only listen when she "feels" like it. I know she can do it because she only needs to hear his feet walking to the room and she will do what I ask.The biggest problem is when she is being naughty (i.e. counter cruising, or stealing socks,etc) I will give her a command and she ignores me, I then approach her to correct her and separate her from the family and she runs from me or or "dead drops," she is almost 80 lbs and I can't move her, she roll on her back & tries to mouth me if I grab her scruff to try to move her. The temptation is to leave her because I get frustrated, but I know I need to follow through, PLEASE HELP! 
Cindy's Answer:
In my opinion, a dog that counter surfs or steals items has no business being off leash in the house. If you want to establish yourself as a leader to this dog I'd do the following.
Start with our groundwork program and Pack Structure for the Family Pet.
She needs to be on a leash or in a crate all the time for now. If you want her to be out in the house, keep a leash on her and the leash is attached to you. She can’t get in trouble this way and then if you need to physically move her you can do it with the leash and you don’t need to put your hands on her. This will eliminate the squirreling around when you need to remove her from a situation and will prevent you from being bitten in the future. The rolling around and mouthing is a precursor to biting as she becomes older and more mature. Don't interact with her like this anymore.
I think you'll see that she'll come around quickly with a few simple changes in the way you live with and interact with her.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Rhodes
Start with our groundwork program and Pack Structure for the Family Pet.
She needs to be on a leash or in a crate all the time for now. If you want her to be out in the house, keep a leash on her and the leash is attached to you. She can’t get in trouble this way and then if you need to physically move her you can do it with the leash and you don’t need to put your hands on her. This will eliminate the squirreling around when you need to remove her from a situation and will prevent you from being bitten in the future. The rolling around and mouthing is a precursor to biting as she becomes older and more mature. Don't interact with her like this anymore.
I think you'll see that she'll come around quickly with a few simple changes in the way you live with and interact with her.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Rhodes
97% (30 out of 31)
respondents found this answer helpful
Can't find what you're looking for?
97% (30 out of 31)
respondents found this answer helpful
.jpg)
