Training Help please

[mruffruff]

Would it help to keep a leash on him all of the time? Maybe a leash is his trigger to tell him he's not in charge. It couldn't hurt to try leaving one on him for a day or two. At the very least, it would be easier to grab.

[Asiel]

Sounds like he has everyone well trained. But I think putting a leash on him before asking for something is a good idea or if he catches on to that you would have to leave it on. You could ask him for the behaviour you want and if he growls then enforce it with the leash, like getting him off your dad. Maybe rewarding the good behaviour would help a bit but as was mentioned, at this stage you'll have to be very consistent. You could work with the NILIF treatment also, this usually shows the dog that he is not the Alpha.

[Freedom]

Yes! That is what I did; used the leash, attached it to his collar BEFORE I asked him to do anything. Gave the verbal command and a gentle tug. No problems at all!

So today I used the leash a bit and didn't bother, a bit, to mix it up. He IS coming along! NO GROWLS!

[LilBear's mama]

It seems as though you are doing the right thing by using the leash. I've only had one "puppy" (dogs all my life but my first puppy) and we went through some training classes. The leash approach seems to be working for you and is not harming him. As he is older you need to continue being consistent and BE PATIENT! He is un-learning a bad habit/bad behavior.

I think the crate (a time-out) when he does growl would reinforce the lesson- that growling is not acceptable. Maybe continue with the leash for a while. Then try without the leash, if he growls put on the leash and put him in the cage for a short time. EVERY TIME he growls, then leash and crate.

Good luck.

[poochieandi]

Yes! That is what I did; used the leash, attached it to his collar BEFORE I asked him to do anything. Gave the verbal command and a gentle tug. No problems at all!

So today I used the leash a bit and didn't bother, a bit, to mix it up. He IS coming along! NO GROWLS!

Good that you finally got him not to growl and come along, at least. Just be consistent doing this one and maybe you'll get him to behave and do what you would want from him over the next couple of weeks.
Willy maybe seven but if he has to start off the training then he will be like around 1 on that.

[ultimatedoglover]

This is once again a problem of dog pack hierarchy. Your dog sees himself as your superior. If you were his superior, he would move whenever you told him to. He is the pack leader in his mind and therefore claims the space that he wants. If you were pack leader he would have to submit to you if you wanted the space he was in. He is claiming the space. I suggest you read up on the pack mentality and dog psychology.

[Freedom]

Thanks, but that wasn't necessary. I just applied positive reinforcement training techniques and he is fine now. This original post is a few months old. BTW it was not dominance behavior.