Cynthia:
It's great that you are trying to get some good information and help with your dog. You will find some really great information on this board, but it won't be sugar coated, it helps to have a thick skin - ok, enough said.

1. I would take a look at the Q&A's section (again) and read everything that you can on dominate dogs for starters.
2. Also, Ed has some good tapes about basic, beginning puppy OB, I think they are worth the $$ for the tapes.
3. You need to get the proper equipment, leash, collars (prong, etc) and learn how to use them.
4. Structure your routine with your dog and don't let him run free in your house without a drag line.
5. Work on proper socialization skills with him. You can start by using your boyfriend. (i.e. have him meet you in your driveway, you tell your dog to sit or down and then after a couple of seconds, you have your boyfriend feed him slices of hot dogs, etc. Then you have him do it in your yard, your kitchen, your house, down the block, at the supermarket, while you are at the dry cleaners, etc). Once you do that, you said in an earlier post that you always have at least 2 other people at your house, have them do the same thing as well. Now, since your dog already is showing signs of rank and dominance, I would be very careful because you don't want anyone to get bit, right? Be smart about it, but be careful.
6. You don't have to teach your dog to be protective of you or to only listen to you or become terrortorial. All you have to do to work on the bonding issues will come via OB, long walks, grooming and OB OB OB OB OB & more OB.
7. Just think, if you are having a hard time now, what is going to happen when those hormones start to kick in at 1 1/2 yrs. Also, all of the right stuff and wrong stuff has already been learned, taught, reinforced to him, so you are going to have to essentially treat him like he is a new dog and you just got him today - Day #1. I'm talking major doggy boot camp, he gets away with "ZILCH" you have to be firm, fair, and know when to give praise (physical/verbal). He makes no decisions whatsoever, you tell him when and were to eat, pee, sleep, play, etc.
8. I would be calling the vet to neuter him right now.
I believe all dogs are "projects" and they will try to get away with as much as they can, regardless of breed, sex or age, they all are manipulators. You can learn quite a bit from here and read & reread the articles, I think your chances are slim with him and it may be to late, but try your best, locate a good trainor and get him into a good program, but do not attempt or encourage any protective behavior with him. Give yourself a timeline and stick to it and after that, either give him up to someone who has more experience, or back to the breeder or put him down, be responsible. You have to realize that maybe this isn't the breed for you, or maybe you got the "ALPHA" of the litter. Don't give up, but don't candy coat or make excuses for him either. You didn't mention it, but get that outside kennel up ASAP.
Good luck & train smart,
Brandon

Wow, now the emotions are kicking in. Finally hearing that there is some credit to be given to me for being here is gratifing.

Thick skin, GOT IT.

So as to not post 15 more messages, I want to thank each and everyone of you that replied to me good, bad or indifferent (not that I recall any of those).

I will not disappear off this board simply because I am told what I dont want to hear. I have learned that one should never ask a question they dont want the answer too.

Nor will I give up on my dog. I will work at this every second of every day. Will I sit here and foolishly think it will be easy, he** no. Will I sit here and even once let him continue this behaviour, he** no. Will I be posting on here one day (no matter how long it takes) and tell you our success story, I say now, HE** YES!!

THANK YOU for your belief (no matter how limited at this point) in the dog and so far my ability as a person willing to be trained. I truely appreciate it.

Without people like yourself, people like me would have teacup chihuauas (sp?) terrorizing the town. As you can see, I believe the ability to own a dog, should not be determined by breed / size but more by ability. And this I am very willing to work 200% at gaining.

As I told Deanna and John, I will, one day, be on Leerburg discussing my success and helping others. While I may never place in the show ring, field trials or competition agility, I will place at the top with my dog in his heart, mind and soul (along with respect for all humans). The others would just be a great bonus.

Again, thank you so much from both myself and my Cain! He is a great, one of a kind dog, which I see now, requires one of a kind handleing.

Sincelery,
Cynthia and Cain.

Before you get too warm and fuzzy, I am not apologizing for my comments. Your questions and comments do show your inexperience, period. These are not questions that experienced dog handlers ask. To choose a breed such as this, for the purpose that you chose him for, with the level of inexperience that you possess, is potentially a very very dangerous combination.
Yes, it is great that you are asking questions and seeking knowledge. You deserve some kudos for that. But that does not, in my mind, lessen my uneasiness about this whole situation.
I hope that you find a good trainer to help you. Just remember that anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a dog trainer. And free advice over the internet is no substitute for in person professional help from a qualified individual. Be careful about the advice that you choose to accept, and about the trainer that you choose to work with.
Good luck.

I only regret my choice of words and the manner in which they were spoken. I still do not personally think her choice of breed was a wise one as a relatively new and inexperienced dog owner. However, I do give her kudos for at least admitting she made some dumb decisions in the beginning and that she has (in theory) a desire to train this dog. Ultimately this dog is now her responsibility. If she doesn't want a lawsuit or to live the life of a hermit it's in her best interst to follow through with obedience training and socialization.

One point that was made, and is a good one, is that your dog isn't #2. Think about it like this.

This is the proper Ranking for your dog.

1. You
2. Your family/pack (boyfriend included)
3. Any child the dog comes into contact with in any situation. . .ever.
4. Anyone that you accept as a visitor
5. Anyone that is a non-aggressive stranger who is not invading the dog's territory (your secure, VERY SECURE, property)
5. HIM (notice he is last behind those above?)

Now, that doesn't mean that the dog has to take commands from anyone else, or that you have to let everyone be the dog's buddy.

(except for kids, all kids are the dog's buddy. . .no aggression or bullying or pushy or anything can be allowed to be directed at children. And this needs to be taken care of even if you don't have kids.)

What it means is the dog can not be allowed to misbehave, be pushy with, aggress to, attempt to dominate, any of those people. You decide who he can be protective with, and you cannot let it be normal visitors and non-aggressive people. Not ever, no exceptions. That is one reason your boyfriend and his hommyz need to realize that messing with the dog is a no no. If they are aggressive the dog should be aggressive, that is what you will be training later in life. . .

AFTER YOU HAVE ALL THESE OTHER ISSUES TAKEN CARE OF.

This is how it is done, you will not negatively affect the dogs protective abilities (especially not this dog, as you describe him). And you will not negatively affect your relationship. Not at all. You still run the show, you tell him who he has to accept and who not to accept.

Make sense?

From here on out, ask specific questions about specific behaviors, or other topics on new threads.

This thread is closed.

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