I was speaking with someone today about how I don't believe a dog should have a "set" schedule. And how I don't want a dog to tell me when they want to eat, play, go for a walk..(with the exception of always being taken out to go potty after he is let out of the crate lol)
I read that when you allow your dog to control those things in their life, it makes them want to be alpha. I just have been reading so many things lately, I cant seem to find it. lol

For example lets say..
Someone gets their dog used to being fed every morning before they have their morning coffee. It is to my understanding that once this schedule has been set, the dog will basically demand it stay the same by whining, begging, pawing at you. (Or what have you) And by us giving in, wouldn't that give some (not all) dogs the idea they are in the alpha spot? Letting them tell us when to feed them?

Granted I feed my dogs in the am & pm but its not at a specific time. I may do a few things and THEN feed them, or I might feed them as soon as they come in from going to the bathroom.

And it is to my understanding that if you crate your dog when your not home, when you return, you should never get in the habit of letting your dog out of the crate right then and there. Switch it up, wait 20 mins,, 5 mins,, 10 mins,, ect.

Those were just a few examples..

Am I wrong to think I should be controlling all things in my dogs life?

Please give me some insite on this issue.

thanks very much,
Maizie

While I don't let my pups rule my life, there is still kind of a 'schedule' involved, because (fact is) I do kind of have a set 'schedule/routine' I do thru out the day. And usually where I fit the dogs in (say for a feeding) is where it fits BEST into the rest of what I do every morning/afternoon/evening.

So while my work schedule is NOT set (sometimes I work from 8 to 4 pm, sometimes 4 to midnight, and sometimes in between, so a real STRICT routine is obviously not set in. There are still things I usually do, and that includes things with the dogs. So I wake up, then the dogs go out before I take a shower. I feed the dogs, and while they are eating I wash dishes and make coffee. I let them out again right before I leave for work for the day.

Think I don't see it so much I am 'dancing to their demands' as fitting them into my daily routine and schedule, whatever it is for that day. So not so sure I'd be so 'controlling' of the dogs as you are, purely to prevent them 'controlling' me. Think I'd rather spend my time thinking of ways to play, train, socialize, exercise, etc. Then worry about deliberately changing up some set thing like always taking them out of the crate at a different time.

I think being Alpha is such a mix of things. Being in charge and control in situations. Your ability to learn to train your dog well so they pay attention, learn, and love to learn from you and be with you. Stepping in when you need to. Letting your dog learn on it's own when that's needed.

Hi Jenn, thanks for your reply. Great points and well written I agree with all of it except the crate thing lol <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My Thunder who is no longer with me, and Taylor who is with me, were allowed to basically do what they wanted, they were free fed. Never mind being fed in the same room, they actually ate/drank out of the same dishes. And believe it or not, we never had any dog fights or food aggression. I guess I just got VERY lucky because I'm learning all the above was a no-no. Only the obvious things weren't allowed, jumping on ppl, begging, getting into the trash, no couch/bed, no cat food. They were allowed to play together 24/7, and they still were never "doggy". Thunder just wanted me and Taylor mainly wants my fiance, but as long as anyone throws the ball.. Shes happy lol. I never crate trained Thunder, and Taylor was only crated maybe for 2 or 3 months until I knew she was fully house broke. I thought it was mean to make them stay in such a small space. So, even though my post made me seem like Colonel Klink, trust me. I'm not. Thunder wasn't treated like a dog, he was my baby. He was my once in a lifetime dog. You couldn't ask for a better all around boy. After all that I've been reading here, and even seeing how my aunts dog is behaving.. I got REAL lucky with him.

I just always assumed it was a dog who was neglected or abused or unloved that would "turn" on people. I didn't know better back then and now that I know what a dog can do. I dont want to risk anything. I want to do things the right way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But as for not letting him out of the crate the minute I walk into the door or open my eyes. I don't know very much about crate training, but from what I've read, this can be a problem. So for me It's so much easier to avoid a problem then it is to fix it. I don't want to walk into my home and have a dog whining and digging at his crate to be let out right then and there. That would irk me.

As for feeding, playing, training and such.. I just don't think a schedule should be set in stone. Which is why I said "set" schedule in my first post. And I think we both are on the same level of understanding, but I might have over emphasized the control issue. Like I said, my dogs are fed in the am and pm, usually around the same time, cuz like you, it fits into MY schedule.. But, yes its still always at different times. I may feed them as soon as I come stumbling down the stairs. Or I may use the bathroom first, or get the coffee perking, or their food could be waiting in their dish when they come in from goin to the bathroom.

Their pm feedings could be while we are eating our dinner, while im preparing our dinner, after we eat our dinner, while we are watching tv... All around the same time every night but not in any specific order. This type of structure does not interfere with, letting him be a puppy, socializing him, and giving him playtime/exercise. Apollo has been to many places, been in 4 different states. Which to me, 4 diff states is very good considering I don't travel much. LOL.

And although I've read that toys shouldn't be out at all times, I still do it. Maybe someday I will change how I feel about that, but for now I don't have the heart to not let them have free access to their toys. I enjoy watching him scatter them all over the living room. But I do keep a special toy aside for him and I to play with together, and when we're out walking. His special toy is a dog puppet. Man he loves that- oh and SCRUNCHIIS! He is obsessed with them, why???? I couldn't tell ya lol And Taylors special toy is a tennis ball slingshot thingie, its called HyperDog. (ever see the movie Dr Doolittle? where that little dog is OBSESSED with the ball? Well thats Taylor hehehe)

Apollo was and still is allowed to FULLY be a puppy, learning and exploring things on his own is a major important thing in any pups life. I let him chew on me and jump on me. He attacks my hair yankin the scrunchiis out- though now that he is growing and biting harder, Im tryin to curb that one lol I love watching him be a rambunctious puppy. So much so that my mom would avoid coming over to visit because as she worded it "that dog is wild!" lol. I guess its because I had an old dog for such a long time, I was and still am enjoying his puppy-ness. In a calm quiet area, usually at night, I let him have the full 16 ft of his flexi leash. So he can go checking things out. During the day I play with him around people, and have switched from using dog treats to chicken & hot dogs to keep his focus on me and off something he might deem as scary or uncomfortable.

So Im not as strict as I came across. I guess my post *does* seem on the tyrant side lol. But trust me I'm not. He is allowed to fully be a puppy, I got the scars on my arms and hands, holes in my socks and gloves and chewed shoe laces to prove it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But now that he is 6 months, I want to be responsible and lay the ground work for a well behaved dog. Everything I do with him, I make sure its fun and rewarding, I must look like a moron half the time but hey,, he likes it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I guess the main question I'm asking (never mind the food subject, that was I guess a bad example) Lets cut and dry it in a simpler manor, When a dog nudges your arm for a petting or it brings you the ball over and over, am I correct to think that many people think the dog is showing dominance over you? Thats the point I was trying to get at with my friend. That even things we see as simple & cute, can be ways of the dog dominating you. I guess thats how I should of asked it to begin with lol. I personally dont mind when a dog walks up to me for some attention. I just used it as an example.

Sorry for all the babble above. I just thought I should clarify things so no one thinks Im a big ol' puppy/dog tyrant lol

As I stated in the original post, Im still learning. Up until I came to this website, I NEVER EVER EVER thought I'd use a prong collar, they looked barbaric. Yet we bought one last weekend for Taylor. (And Ed I agree.. it IS like power steering lol) I would even consider an E collar for training. That too is something I thought I would NEVER EVER consider.

Again... thoughts, ideas, concerns, are welcome. If I am doing something wrong, let me know. I am not set in my ways, Im open minded and more then willing to learn which is why I'm here. I just wanted to explain in further detail that I really am not as strict as I came across.

Maizie

I guess the main question I'm asking (never mind the food subject, that was I guess a bad example) Lets cut and dry it in a simpler manor, When a dog nudges your arm for a petting or it brings you the ball over and over, am I correct to think that many people think the dog is showing dominance over you? Thats the point I was trying to get at with my friend. That even things we see as simple & cute, can be ways of the dog dominating you. I think if you have an extremely dominating dog, and you think it's going to be a problem, then you probably have to be more aware of your dog 'demanding' attention from you.

However, my days with my dogs (as I see with you) are made up of TONS of different events that can help put me up in Alpha and them below me. Me feeding them, obedience classes, playing tug with MY rules, me going out the door of the house first..............................

Maizie,

In many cases for dog owners they never really try training their dogs until they have a major problem. Most problems including dogs biting/nipping people while playing rough can simply be avoided if the dog had learned some boundaries as a puppy. Well it seems that your pup is a hand full and I’m sure growing fast (from the info given). If you are unwilling to curb this excitable ”puppy behavior,” (jumping, biting your hair) and allow him to be a “puppy,” you are empowering and encouraging these behaviors to continue into adulthood. HIS way of interacting with people. When the puppy draws blood in some rough play, would he be crossing the line in your eyes? Or will you rationalize and say he is only a puppy and accept this behavior. If you can guarantee that this behavior be controlled as an adult, then I say no problem. If not, there is too much at risk. It would be a shame if your dog in play bites or scratches someone who decides to sue the pants off of you, and ask that your dog be put down because he is our of control. Are you doing your puppy any favors then? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Puppies like kids need discipline and guidance. The only way that you can achieve this is to be a good leader for your pup and demand some respect. It doesn’t make sense to me when parents try to raise their kids as best friends. As you are doing with our dog. It just doesn’t work. If you ask a child what they want for dinner, many may say ice cream. Does that mean that’s a suitable dinner? Once again, you are the responsible parent who needs to look out for your puppy’s best interest. So I’m encouraged that you are asking questions now and trying to implement some obedience and get your dog under control before its to late. This is a start. As a pack leader you are in control of ALL the resources, such as food, water, toys, time for attention, and everything else. If you allow the puppy to choose and dictate what they want and when, they are in control of the resources and are in control. So it is very easy for some dogs with a dominant temperament to get the wrong idea of their pack ranking. Just because your last dog was easy going, please don’t assume that it was in result of type of rearing you used (laid back). It was his temperament. All dogs are different, and have different temperaments. And this is why it is important the test the puppies before you get them (i.e. puppy selection testing). Because it seems that you are easy going/soft personality, selection of the right puppy is even more important for you. It doesn’t matter if the dog is going to be a police dog or a laid back family pet, the temperament must match the owners. Keep up the good work and be patient, your dog is depending on you to take the lead.