Female needs help with dominant female!

[Jarose]

I have had Nina since she was 3 months old
and she is now 7 months. I am a female and a first time dog owner. I had given alot of thought about getting a dog - especially this breed - and love her dearly. HOWEVER,
I think I need some advice (keeping the above info on myself in mind) on training her and establishing an alpha position over her. She is a very strong willed female dog, is very friendly, loves people and animals, and is very energetic. She has a very high prey drive. She is a "talker". My trouble with her thus far lies in the fact
that I realize - and have been told - that with all these things in mind I need to have a strong hand with her. She is playful with me and will listen to me well when there are no distractions. ( I have had some dominance issues with her such as growilng over food and bones). When other people/animals are present it is sometimes as if I do not exist or she does not hear me. If a male is present (even someone she barely knows) she will respond better to him than myself. This frustrates me. I DO take her to class and will address this issue this week. But I want to know if anyone out there (females especially) have or have had this problem and what can I do? I realize certain stronger methods of training are available and like I said I want to discuss this with her trainer. I know I have a good quality dog and want to give her the best
life (without breaking her spirit). I work full time, support myself and devote as much time as possible to her but sometimes I think she needs something more. I actually thought of sending her away to have her trained but I don't know if that would help
HER and MY relationship and I also have heard some horror stories. I don't want to wait too long and I will not give up on her. I am counting on some good advice and opinions here. I have learned so much already. So besides finding a boyfriend/husand (ha ha ha) what else can I do??!! :)

[jacksonsmom]

Hi Jarose,

I struggle with this as well with Jackson. I am a soft spoken person and Jack doesn't seem to respond to this as well as a deeper voice. I know this may sound strange, but we have been attending some SchH meetings and we have begun teaching Jackson commands in German and he responds better to those commands Go figure. "Nine" is the command for "No" and it has a much stronger and shorter sound. I guess we have finally figured out his language
:D I have also heard that it is all in how you carry yourself too. Stand tall and be matter of fact with your commands. Don't let them be suggestions they are commands ;) Good luck and keep up the good work!! At this age it is a struggle everyday, but the payoff is GRAND!!

[Judi W]

Yes, it is "presence" more than male or female. Voice is simply an expression of that presence. If you are uncertain in your behavior or voice, there is no reason for the dog to accept an uncertain person as a leader or master. If you will truly decide that you do not intend to be disrespected, you will be amazed at the change. It is mental more than anything else. I watch this happen quite often when I have a student get tired of throwing away $20 entries and being blown off the the dog in the ring. It sometimes takes them a while to realize what and why, but when they do, things change for the better. This does not mean being heavy-handed, but being assured and knowing what you want. Indecisiveness is unfair to the dog.

[Burnsway]

Judy

This is so true!!

With psyche, my hubby says man she listens to you !!!! Why he ask!!! Im not sure at times but I know one thing when I correct her I stand tall give the look and then give the command and she just does!! I trained my chow well but being 16 I dont have to do much with her anymore she just knows the way it is!!!I forgot alot in past years with older dogs but god how fast it comes back with a puppy....ROFLMAO.

[SelkeysCompanion]

Hello,did you ask for female with female rott?Trainer mentioned that dogs listen to men thingy too-it is the stance,also your "tone" of voice.You might not hear it but they sure do.When I was told this,tried something realy wierd to see if it was true-call her over and tell her what a "bad dog"she is BUT use a very pleasant,prasing voice,keep telling her all the "bad things"she has done,keep your TONE pleasant-NOW,stand up straight and tell her she is a "good dog"BUT use a strong(not loud)firm,deeper TONE,"your good,you are a very good dog"ANGRY voice....see if she reacts to the TONE not the words.I can`t call her with the pleasant tone,she is to relaxed and won`t sit proplerly-can`t use the firm tone as she is hessitant to come.....there is one in the middle(not asking,telling),took practice to find it,Selket let me know when I got it.......After a couple of training lesons,I realized that it was me getting trained,and was being told "you have to have confidence".....TRAINING IS ONGOING WITH A ROTTWEILER-read that somewhere?