Somewhere I know I have screwed up. I think my dutchie just about got the better of me today. Geez he's a pain in the ass! I can't figure out sometimes how much of his behavior is dominance and how much is just another thing.

It started like today: I was putting on his prong collar on the back porch, he moved his head around so I couldn't put it on, I grabbed his collar and he took his paw and shoved my hand out of the way and pushed into me. I said no sit and he sat and then got up, got in my face. I then pulled up on his nylon choke saying NO (its the closest thing I have to a proper DDcollar, I realize I need a real one). finally he sat and I put it on and made him wait.

So I take him for a walk and everything was fine. I did some obedience in the field, he did great. He was in a down stay while I was picking stuff up and noticed a man and small dog coming. I called him from the down and he came right to me, reward. He had already seen he dog and didn't try anything. But after he got his treats he tried to ignore me and stare at them. I blocked him and corrected him (prong), then played with a kong. As soon as I stopped playing he resumed...I corrected him again hard and he turned snapped, showing his teeth at me...so I had to choke him again then played tug with the drag leash, then he was focused again.

Not long ago I put on his bark collar and he did the same thing as with the prong and growled at me. I didn't have the choke collar on and couldn't correct him properly...I put him in his kennel.

Its been a long time since I have had a problem like this. Its cooler so he has more energy...what am I missing.

Here's what I do to curb this stuff:
I alway go through doors first unless I release him after a wait, he never has possession of toys (yard toys included), he gets regular exercise, never allowed to greet anyone accept when released, has to sit for food/water, no demanded affection, carries a backpack...etc.

How old is he? Sounds like he is doing some 'testing'. Very common between around 2-3 yr old.

NILIF & cracking down on OB usually helps establish YOUR rank back in their eyes.

Serious corrections can work for & against you. Pick your battles. Make SURE that you are in a position to win if you choose to pick one with him or you could be seriously hurt if he is really challenging you.

He's 6 years old, has done this every now and then since I got him. Sometimes its because I have worked with markers a lot and I let him get away with being pushy about a reward thinking he is a normal dog in the learning phase (by not correcting him for demanding). A few days ago I threw his ball for him without making him so anything for it. I was lazy and I think he got the wrong idea.

Sometimes I have had to shove him into a wall for guarding a toy or other disrespect...I really didn't think about it at all, just reacted. It sounds mean but trust me its not, no way I'm putting up with that. Logan is my first 'dominant' dog, didn't know what I was getting into but I'm learning.

As for corrections being good or bad and picking battles: I corrected him real hard for pulling and he showed his teeth snarling...I didn't know what to do about it, so didn't...but he didn't try and pull anymore on that walk. I really had to do it though. Another time he was on a long line and corrected himself (bird) he just growled and still wanted the bird after being flipped around...he's nuts!

I feel mean when correcting him hard but most of the time he barely whines. OMG he's so good at reading me, if my hair is in my face he'll reach in the bait bag and grab a few treats as fast as he can.

I hope you will find a good, positive trainer who will help you......it sort of sounds like somewhere along the line.......something's going on between you and it's not good. Having to shove a dog into a wall........dog growling and snarling at you.......please find a good trainer asap!!!!!

Just my two cents, but either you're going to get bitten, and dog is going to lose home........

I may be way off base here, but it sounds like a lot of corrections to me. I don't know your dog at ALL, but it sounds like his resistance is less about dominance and more about the avoidance of pain (ex: not wanting the prong/bark collar put on, snapping and growling when corrected, etc.)

My dog isn't dominant AT ALL, but he will absolutely come up the leash if he gets repeated corrections. I would also be very careful about correcting for looking at another dog; it could easily create leash-reactivity or dog-aggression.

I would work on gradually adding distractions, keeping things fun and interesting and moving away from things that he might fixate on (like the other dog) until you have enough of his focus that he can handle them.

I keep thinking I have fixed it because he doesn't do it for a while...guess not huh...there's some reason he decides after a while to test me out. Most of the time he's perfectly fine. I know there's something I'm missing on that he's doing or I'm not doing. Can dominant issues be fixed with positive training...I have never been clear on that. Or is it a more non-confrontational way to teach your dog to accept doing stuff to him? Maybe I should do that with putting on the collar, since that's his latest revolt. I do need an objective person to help me otherwise...I could film it. Sorry just rambling.

I'd work on the collar resistance first, and figure out it's cause. Like Kristel mentioned could it be a pain or association with pain thing? My older pup Ryuk knows that corrections come from the prong collar yet when he sees it he's excited to put it on and I've caught him on more than one occasion trying to put it on himself. Gambit also knows corrects come from the collar but hasn't had as many positive associations with it, I have the option of not using the prong collar for a bit (Gambit's young, not dominant, and not very strong). However when I originally put the prong on him (before I knew what kind of dog he was) I had to wrestle him into a prong collar, he avoided it, he'd put his paws in my face, he pawed it away, he'd roll, he'd try to slam me against the wall, he'd pop up suddenly and wack me in the face. He's not a dominant dog and luckily he's not a very strong dog...but it sounds like he was doing similar methods to what your boy is doing....so is it possible it's NOT a dominance thing with the collar.

The fact he's not all out biting you may actually be a respect thing, he's trying to tell you with every non-aggressive way that something isn't right. Perhaps try some fun games with the prong and bark collar (turned off)

Thanks everyone BTW,

Just for the record these corrections didn't happen all at one time, these are examples from over the years. Most of the time until yesterday, he comes to me and sits for his prong to be put on. I've accidentally pinched him before when putting it on but he just whined. Now if you're talking about just yesterday's corrections at the field; should I not correct him for non-responding to "Logan, look!" (watch me).

Its hard to communicate all this on a forum. But your def right about backing up on the dog thing...part of my misfortune was having already used the treats up and no tug. After playing tug with the leash he was focused back on me. So yeah we need to do more of that.

The only time I correct him with the prong is for pulling, ignoring a command he knows...that's about it. I'm not real clear on when not to...when I corrected him around that dog, his reaction was only directed at me. I do realize though that correcting a dog can trigger dog aggression...esp when close.

Why is it that training opportunities with nice leashed dogs show up when I have no treats left?

I appreciate your help Jamie...I really though it was the prong from accidentally pinching him before. He does the collar resistance thing (not normally but in these instances) for all of his collars, his back pack, harness. He does the same pawing and pushing against me with his head or shoulder...test growl. I correct him, he doesn't do it for a while. I guess it wouldn't hurt to go and do more marker training for it without confrontation.

I'm not always sure if he's just enthusiastic pushy sometimes...I'll wait until he sits or does what I want and then put the leash on or whatever...but he doesn't test growl or try to shove me then...he's just wag wag wag I'm so happy, manic dutchie.

Have you ruled out pain? Is there a possibility that his reactivity is associated with avoiding pain, or having a painful reaction?

I took Jethro's prong collar off and conditioned him to wear a halti and a harness. I use two leashes now, and we are having the best walks ever. I used Torid Rugaas' method for loose leash walking. It seems like a miracle, to be out after dark, and I am the one getting spooked. Jethro is trotting along like a champ.