I have 2 german Shorthaired pointers. A 12yr male and a 3yr female. I have been having problems with the little female. I feel I created a monster. I had lost a female prior to cancer and new one replaced her. I feel I spoiled her too much at the begining. I was under the impression that I need to spoil her because I felt robbed from lost female.(wrong!) I have learned so much from here and other places. Now to my problem. I have noticed that she has become possessive with some toys at times. Some times she can take a toy and hold and growl and lunge at me if I try to take it. Other times she will bring the same toy to me and drop it until I play tug. She also has started this other game. I feed them in two seperate rooms and out of site. At feeding time I will feed the older male first and then walk to the other room and feed her. She will not touch her food until he is done and begins to look for hers. Then she runs over starts to eat and growls at him. I have begun taking the male out right after eating to avoid this. I have tried to make changes with her to become more of a leader. They no longer sleep with us and sleep in thier kennel. Also she has to perfom some task before treat. Also evey now and then we will be lying on the bed as a family watching TV and all of a sudden she will jump on the old male in a very aggressive manner. I immediately put he in a down on her back and make her submit. I have been working while we walk and if I put any pressure on her with obedience she will freeze and begin to shake. I need some recommendations on a good path with her. Thanks in advance for any info.

Hi David -
First thing that pops out at me is that you put her on her back, this is commonly referred to as an "alpha roll" and is not recommended. A normal down position is fine, as is lying on their side - both of these are naturally submissive positions. Forcing a dog into its back is an overly aggressive move, IMO and not beneficial. Forcing a dog into its back can have side affects of your dog not trusting you or beginning to submissively urinate. If your dog downs, let her be. If she feels that you are going to become physical with her after she downs this is when she will try to placate you further with submissive urination/whining/nervous behavior.

With that said I don't think she is at that point yet. I just wanted to get that out

Do you have the Pack Structure DVD? http://www.leerburg.com/308.htm

Are these just house pets or do they have a job? I like to work on tiring a dog out before addressing behavioral issues, if possible.

Here are some of the free ebooks that may help your situation regarding pack structure: http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/packstructure.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/dealingwithdominantdog.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/dealingwithaggressivedog.pdf
And the articles and Q+A on Dominant/Aggressive dogs: http://www.leerburg.com/articles.htm#dom
Dom/Aggr Dog DVD: http://www.leerburg.com/301.htm

I would start tethering her to you when she is in the house. This will allow you to immediately address any problems/maintain control/bond if necessary.

Limit her interaction with your other dog. Has she been kept with him since she was a pup? Was she ever separated from him or other dogs in order to bond with you/humans?

Sorry for the questions, hope this helps as a start.

Ah as a P.S. regarding Alpha Rolling or forcably putting a dog onto its back, it is best left to experienced handlers that know the dog very well. It is not only a cause for concern for the reasons stated above but also because it is a great way to get bit. A lot of dogs will not react in a calm or submissive manner to being alpha rolled, they can react aggressively and violently.