All right, I just don't get it! I'm the one who wanted the Rottweiler. I'm the one who takes care of her every day, all day long, feeding, playing, training, and letting her out to potty. So why is it that my Roxie has decided she likes my husband better?!
He comes home from work each night and she runs right to him with her tail just'a waggin' and is so excited to see him. Which is great and wonderful! He is the last one to put her to bed at night and gets her up in the morning before he goes to work. Then she has me all day. I'm a stay at home Mom.
Last night, DuWayne was working with her and giving her treats. She did everything he said and followed him everywhere he went. I thought, "Cool. I'll do that tomorrow." So I set out with my handful of treats and was ready for training. Roxie has a beautiful sit and sits on command. No treats needed but they're a great reward anyway. Then came the down. Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, BARK! She downed for a second and came back up. Everytime I told her down, it was like she didn't want to "submit" to ME!
She would bark at me every time. She would go down, but would bark to let me know that she wasn't happy about it. But she did it anyway.
So I began walking around the backyard, showing her the treats in my hand. She'd follow for a few steps and then lay down. Last night she followed DuWayne everywhere he went. Today, she didn't want to follow me more than a few steps. I've been her #1 trainer. I walk her, I feed her, I train her, I do everything for her. So why does she submit for DuWayne and not me?
If you have read earlier posts, you would know that DuWayne has used "force" with her: grabbing her muzzle when she bites mostly. I have not done this. He seems to have shown her that he is the Alfa through this "force" though. DuWayne says I have not earned her respect by showing her that I am also the Alfa because I'm too easy on her: saying No Bite and giving her a toy or trying to redirect her.
So how do I gain the respect from my Roxie that my husband has received without having to "hurt" her?
Thanks,
RoxiesMama