[Wally31]

I have had some dominance issues with my boy, he's five months. I was reading some posts in the training section and saw this:

"Life of course should not be a constant state of formal commands, but formal commands when used should have consistent expectations as to what is demanded on the part of the dog."

That right now is what I am doing, constantly giving formal commands and insisting he follow the commands. My Tuck has gotten a little big for his britches and feels he does not always have to listen. I am afraid now that I am pushing a little hard because he is on a serious NILIF life right now but I refuse to let him feel he can do what he wants. How do you know when enough commands are enough?

This whole NILIF training and intensity is due to a bite, from lack of our knowledge previously it resulted in our girl getting bit. It was our fault, we set him up for failure by not being aware of his dominance tests and missing these signals. We had no idea the things he was doing were dominance tests. He has had obeidience school and the things he did there were of the same nature yet she never made mention of them. In fact, as to my memory she only mentioned to talk to her after class if your pet is growling at other dogs or people when he has a bone. Our dog never did it until after he was done with obedience school. Really wish she would have addressed in front of everyone many would have benefitted and we might not have had a bite.

I really only give him the commands when he looks like he is going to go visit our unfriendly cat and have a conversation with him. Feeding, before we go outside for a bathroom break, outside when I want to go in the house, if he is in the way when you want to walk through (which if he is laying down refuses to move and you have to command him a dozen times or physically move him, he lays like he is dead), or just getting into something in general, etc. It feels like it is every other minute though.

I really don't call him over that much just to give commands unless we are going to train but I have focused more training commands without reward right now. I maybe should be including rewards sometimes but he is doing pretty good. The big problems are getting him in the house from outside, he listens to me much of the time but hardly ever listens to my girlfriend. She will walk twords him to more or less heard him in the house and he walks away from her so she can't get near him. (very ammusing when watching from the window when you can't be seen, but very serious in the world of control.) He needs more training for "come" obviously but man can he be stubborn!!! Walking was until we found one of them there new fangled miracles they call in these parts the "pinch" collar. Before he would just drag me down the street. Now after two days what a joy to walk him. : ) I am pleased!!!!

The other toughy is drop it. I am going to start trading him for better rewards to see if it helps some. I am sure by now it is painfully obvious to everyone it is our first puppy. We skipped right over the cocker spaniel and went right to the Rott. At times it feels like I am not sure how to handle him and feel in question of how to cure, but I am determined and dedicated to producing a good boy. Any input would be appreciated.