Hello, I am fairly new to living with a dog. I have two questions, one regarding my dogs behavior. When he is laying in his place and I approach him and make an attemp to lay beside him, he jumps up and bolts to another place, but if I go over and just sit beside him he is fine for a minute or two and then starts mouthing a bit, by the way he is a 15 month old boxer, male. I was wondering if anyone could explain this behavior or narrow down the possible causes. We have a good bond as far as I can tell. He does challenge my leadership off lead sometimes but he is otherwise a good dog. The second question is about the "Leerburg Basic Dog Obedience" DVD, in the video does it demonstrate on how to live and interact with your dog on an everyday basis? He is a housedog also.

I have a female bandog that does the same thing!! Except not only did she jump up and run to the other side of the room, but she did so with what looked to be outrage that someone dare disturb her. At first I was offended <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Then I started following her to where she went and petting her anyway. She doesn't do it to me anymore, but if my male mastiff x lays next to her when she's sleeping, she'll get up really annoyed and move. I don't know why she does this, but I would be interested in hearing others opinions. It seemed very cat like to me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Maybe the dog feels smothered? Don't take that the wrong way, but I know some dogs are less affectionate/clingy/cuddly than others and need their space sometimes. Here's a quote from Ed's Ground Work Article...

"The fact is I don’t push myself on a dog. I take my time and let the dog come to me. In some ways I act aloof to them. I satisfy their immediate needs (food, water, a clean bedding area and exercise) but I don’t act all GUSSSSHY towards them. There is something about being a little aloof in attitude that the dog senses. It’s how a pack leader acts. You don’t see an alpha wolf run around acting like a happy puppy in front of his pack."

He's talking about when a dog is new to living in your house, but I think it applies to living with dogs long term.

I had sort of thought the he was just not that affectionate also but I was curious about it.Thanks for replying.

Best Regards,

umm... im assuming that you got the dog just recently right?

it really depends on how you first approach the dog especially depending on the living conditions he was in before. It takes a dog awhile to actually warm up to us especially if we jsut keep pushing ourselves to them.

Its the same way when you visit someones hosue and they ahve a dog, you don't go petting the dog right away, you let the dog warm up to you, let it sniff your hand, your leg, your butt but at the same time you have to ignore them.

If you have just recently rescued the dog and he's already in his "teenage" years you will ahev to be hard but patient at the same time. Let him sniff you let him come to you, he has to be able to also feel safe, so i guess in a way let him get to know his space first. BUT you have to rmmeber not to let him push you around. You still have to be the alpha. If you approach him and he shows any signs of anger correct him right away.

From what you ahve shared, it just seems like he's still unsure about his surroundings. be patient, after all im sure you wouldnt want a frightened dog. they are very unpredictable and dangerous.

Good luck!!!

One possible option is that the dog is showing you respect by moving away to another spot. It is hard to tell without seeing it.
If the Alpha wants your spot to lay in and comes over to sit there, then if you respect the alpha you will get your self out of the way. Just a thought on some behavior I have seen in my home with my dogs.

 Quote:

One possible option is that the dog is showing you respect by moving away to another spot. It is hard to tell without seeing it.

In my opinion (from the viewpoint of general obedience* experience only; I'm new to working dogs), both of these comments make sense!

Is the dog new to you? I would agree that you, the pack leader, would retain an assertive and somewhat aloof demeanor. Again, maybe I am picturing this wrong, but there are two points that might be helpful: The pack leader doesn't follow the pack members around, ever; it's vice versa, and I also agree that affection comes later with many dogs. What you want first (IMO) is the respect due to the pack leader, and what the dog wants first is assurance that he has a pack leader. Affection is second.

Also, it might indeed be true that you HAVE established pack order, and the dog is moving away from a spot that you appear to have claimed.

So: I would call the dog to me instead of going to the dog. Pat the spot and call him to you and show him that it's your desire that he join you.

Beyond this particular issue: You will always ask the dog to come to you, and not vice versa. He comes to the leash for the walk; he comes to the bath; he follows you through the doorway.........

One of your many rewards will be this one: Pet dogs want to be around alpha types. You have probably seen pet dogs go and rub their heads against or touch the shoe or cuff of an alpha-type visitor, obviously indicating that they have sniffed out this person's leadership type and want to be associated with him/her. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

*and aggression problems

Connie has great advise here,

 Quote:

So: I would call the dog to me instead of going to the dog. Pat the spot and call him to you and show him that it's your desire that he join you.

Our new rescued GSD acts the same way with me. I have followed the advise in Ed's groundwork article and the dog is comming along great!!
He will play with a ball, but when I tested him on a tug he wouldn't touch it. He was really submissive with me and his whole attitude was "no way that is yours and I'm not going to argue about it"
Not so good in a working dog, but great in a rescue that even though he is emaciated sp? Weighs in at 80lbs. (We are working on this too )
When you don't know the back ground of the critter, its better to have them be safe and respectfull, and get the rest in time. IMO

I would have to agree that it's more likely your dog respecting your position as pack leader rather than a dominance issue.

I would also be careful about laying on the floor with a dog if you're unsure of dominance issues...IMO laying in a submissisve position with a dog that you think MAY have dominance issues is just asking for trouble.