Hello

Here is my first post; Any one has experience with a Kuvasz Puppy? Ziva is 5 months and is a hard dog and I am looking for tips to how stop the bitting, jumping, and dominance tendencies. Many thanks

Is this a dog that came from parents that are still guarding flocks of something Solange?

No from a breeder that since 1984 has them as family pets and show dogs....

Leerburg has an excellent dvd
http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=907

and article series here on this website on establishing pack structure with the family dog.
http://leerburg.com/articles.htm#pack

You will also need to start obedience training.

Thanks , I have been reading and listening to many articles and podcats from Ed Frawley. Took many many notes, have been using some of his methods and I have seen some improvements with some issues.....I totaly need to get some videos....but I have to wait a bit on that. The basic obedience trainig has started since she came home. She knows sit, stand, and laydown....stay in these 3 positions, and come from these 3 positions. The recall however has been better at the beginning, now she doesn't comply on that as easy than before. I have been autoevaluating myself and the way I am doing things. Like I said since I read and listened to Ed advices I have changed some things and still need to do so I am sure. My concern is with the bitting and stoberness to comply. She likes to argue quite abit. Thanks for your suggestions. Cindy have suggested the same. Thanks again

solange

I don't have any experience with the breed, but a couple of things I would think about with a dog that's meant to be pretty independent and doesn't really have the desire to please other breeds do, even though it may not be as strong in her from generations separating her from their "job", I think that independence still needs to be considered.

Don't pick fights, avoid them. She's probably not real interested in meeting everyone, so I would think of socialization as letting her see everything, but keep a little distance.

Calm consistency showing her what you want, maybe a place command, by you, but not always under foot. Try not to overwhelm her with affection and obedience, give her a little space.

I think they can be the kind of dog that is really going to resist if you try to force things, and remember, its what she thinks is forcing things. Its her perception of it all, even things like petting her. What does it mean to her. Have a plan for just about everything ahead of time so YOU aren't surprised by anything.

@Steven, Well I do not give her lots of affection....don't take me wrong she does get it but after complying of doing something we want......She is not taken for a lap dog lol....I train her basic obedience with treat, I use Ed's method for most everything. I only work obedience with her twice a day for 5 min at the time and that is after a 45min walk. She gets to eat after the training session. She is left to herself most of the time meening I don't pay much attention to her if she is not mischievious that is. She is calm and like to sleep and be quiet....I respect that. We play but I don't pick up the ball often.....just 2 or 3 times a day and for a short period (I use play to practice the "drop".) Her and I are alone for most of the time at home, we don't have small children and my husband is out of town for work 4 days a week. But she CAN NOT growel if woken up nor she can't show her teeth to me when I pick up the 10 feet leash when she is aggressive with the neighbour's dog......and she can not keep jumping and bite us. these are the 3 important issues I have with her. Thank you Steve for taking the time to write....I appreciate it. I am strongly thinking to get a dominant dog collar....I am affraid that the prong will overly excite her and make her even more agressive.....I actualy think that the reaction she gets when I pick up the line is towards the line itself and then redirect it on me.....hum???

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But she CAN NOT growel if woken

I agree. I would wake her by calling her to me, not standing over her or touching her. I would avoid that.

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she can't show her teeth to me when I pick up the 10 feet leash when she is aggressive with the neighbour's dog.

The problem there, is that whatever she's getting aggressive about, you just became a part of it. I'd avoid those situations. Basically what you mentioned about redirecting at you, I think is right, and its only going to be more dangerous as she grows up.

Whichever collar, I wouldn't be very sure you can correct her out of a lot of these things. She may resist. I think you'd be better off thinking in terms of management and avoiding situations that will lead to these fights you mentioned in your profile. Build the trust and respect over time. Don't get me wrong, Obedience? Absolutely. Just a little different approach.

I do announce myself when I walk by very close to her where about she is sleeping by calling her name...it happened twice that she was just laying there with her eyes opened and I bent to just drag my fingers on her head as I said, "good girl" in a soothing voice and she growled.....as for the aggression with the neighbour's dog....this afternoon I have been anticipating the confrontation between them so I was present in the garden when she was out and I grabed the leash close to her as in a heeling position as soon as I heard the door open next door and asked her to sit and kept her in that position. Like this she did not get the time to get in the corner where the 2 fences meet. Like this I had her attention and she seemed to not get that excited that way. I have put a 10' leash on her since last week only to control her 100% so it is new.....and I use the crate when I can not pay attention to her and need time to do other things. She is no longer free in the house without supervision...that iliminates the possibilities of her getting into any situation that needs correction. I must admit that ever since I am present with that leash on her she looks at me differently and even is more responsive. I think you are right about managing these situations....however time is probably what she needs to figure out her position in the pack, it probably takes longer for hard temperment dogs than for a soft dogs.....and trust will come with consistency and me staying cool lol....thanks Steve....

What does her breeder say about her growling, showing teeth, and behaving aggressively towards other animals? This is the sort of thing you need to be in contact with them on, since they have decades of experience living with this very specific breed that not very many people even know about.