Our male Bouvier (about 16 mos) did something the other day and I'd like other people's opinions. My sister visits fairly regularly and the male doesn't like her much, has growled at her (warnings not full out vicious). She came over the other day and went out in the yard with all three dogs (the other 2 females). The male ignores her but lets her walk around, no aggressive posturing. When I join them, he greets me, etc, no problems until I'm petting him and she reaches over to touch him and he growls at her. I corrected him and I don't like this reaction. My question is, prior to the growl, was his behavior acceptable? I don't see why it's so wrong if he's avoiding her and he's not provoking a confrontation. The growl, snap he does, is very similar to what he will do with me when I groom him and snag a mat or he's just tired of it. There is teeth touching my hand but no biting. And I do correct him for it. I am obedience training him with Ed's tape now (he isn't mine and wasn't properly socialized, trained when he was young and I'm playing catch up with him). Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I see no reason why a dog has to be asking for petting from other people. The females are like that but the male doesn't care. He's great with some friends and their daughters who come over. He couldn't be sweeter or more gentle. If someone sees this as a problem in the making, I'd like to know and suggestions on how to deal with it.

Read the article I have written titled DEALING WITH THE DOMINANT DOG You can find this article in the list of training articles on my web site. http://leerburg.com/articles.htm

You need to be very careful with this dog before he bites someone. There are enough Q&A sections on my web site to help you understand dominace and the problems that go with it

Thank you. I've been reading your articles for a while. He's been like this since he was young so I wasn't sure he was dominant or something else. His father has some of the same mannerisms. I have one follow up - they usually get let out in the mornings without me going out. Should I change this and go first every time and then just come back in? And the same thing when I let them in. Should I go outside so I can walk in first?

You know what they say about dogs and children...