Lynne Barrows Webboard User Reg: 09-22-2007
Posts: 2531
Loc: S. Florida
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My pup(14 weeks) loves to tug, but the dog trainer who works for my vet says that she is displaying dominant tendancies. (She growled at them while being examined) She has also growled at me and my 5 year old when she had a rawhide chew. I gave her a scruff correction and took away the chew.(this happened twice, and the second correction that I gave her was firmer) She has not growled at anyone since, and now wags her tail if I approach her when she has the chew. I also make a point to pat her when I feed her, and she shows no food aggression at all. I have instructed my 5 year old to not approach her when she has a chew or is eating, but on occasion he walks near her when she is eating and she has not growled.
So, my question is, can I have a good game of tug with her, if I control the outcome? She LOVES to tug, and I hate to deny her that, but I really don't want to increase any dominant tendancies that she has. btw, she will 'drop it' on command (in exchange for a treat)
Of COURSE you can enjoy a tug with her. Just keep in mind: All the toys are yours! The dog has NOTHING of it's own. All good things come from you, and you alone. You decide when it's time to tug. She'll go bonkers (like as not) when the time comes. Yes, she'll hound you (no pun intended!) to play, but don't give her attention when she does.
She'll get on-board with the "Mommy is the CENTER of my universe!" soon. And, she's only 14 weeks. She barely knows she's got a tail, let alone become dominant. Hehheh. I like to tell my wife "Man, as soon as Murphy realizes that he's got hind feet, we're in trouble!" Meaning, pups that young need to be shown correct behaviour; until that point, they don't know! That your pup growled was not "dominant" it was "Hey, should I let you do that?" When you corrected, she learned. :-)
Luck!
-J
Edited by Jim Thomas (10/01/2007 08:41 AM)
Edit reason: age mistake
Of COURSE you can enjoy a tug with her. Just keep in mind: All the toys are yours! The dog has NOTHING of it's own. All good things come from you, and you alone. You decide when it's time to tug. She'll go bonkers (like as not) when the time comes. Yes, she'll hound you (no pun intended!) to play, but don't give her attention when she does.
She'll get on-board with the "Mommy is the CENTER of my universe!" soon. And, she's only 14 weeks.
And to add to Jim's good advice do this with her food as well. Don't just plop the food dish down in front of her and leave her. Feed the major part of her meals when you can using the eye contact game. http://www.canismajor.com/dog/clk9904.html You'll be amazed by how in tune she will be with you and how fast a strong bond will emerge between the 2 of you.
Oh I forgot to say .. get your 5 year old involved with feeding her, toys etc and the eye contact game as well. (under your supervision always of course) That way you start to build the pack hierarchy with your 5 year old on top and the dog below, this is the time to start when the pup is as young as it is. Just to save yourself grief later.
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Tugs?
#156792 - 10/01/2007 08:26 AM 
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