Have you ever had your female animals around other dogs? If so, do they act submissive then or just around your animal? It could partially be that they are very submissive by nature.

My family has always had "working" dogs. I've found the best way to help them respect you as Alpha is to let them "help" you if you are outside doing anything like yard work. My parents have had issues with their dominant female of their 6 dogs, so they taught her to simply sit and stay. They allow her to walk beside them as they weed flowers or trim hedges (or even when they go fishing). When they stop at a hedge to trim it, they had her sit and stay (praising her of course for the action). She quickly grew to love this and now even accompanies them to help feed our horses. She used to scare them, but now it is much easier to control her through verbal commands.

The animals all also are exercised regularly to work out any extra energy that may be putting them on edge. I don't think you need a behaviorist because you can essentially become one yourself by instating the correct techniques.

I don't think you are the "problem" really...I just feel like we (thinking as humans) don't always understand why are animals do some of the things they do. I really don't want to be condescending either and tell you that you're doing everything wrong. I think that's the most discouraging thing someone can say to a dog owner who is seeking advise. I've used many techniques like the one in the NILIF program and they really do help quite a bit-especially with working dogs who like to earn their keep.

(By the way, I meant to mention that my Weim loved the Kong ball...it gave her a way to stimulate herself mentally, and it reduces boredom. You may have to monitor your male's behavior if you give one to your females so that he cannot scare them or take the toy away though.)