My dog is in a constant battle with me for leader?

Question

I have a border collie mix. He wants to be the leader by his nature. I am not an assertive person by my nature, but I try my hardest to be with him because I need to or he doesn't feel safe.

We are always in a battle it seems. I can especially tell this when we're on a walk. He's always trying to lead me. I don't just mean pulling. I mean he will push his body into me and lean me into the direction he wants to go. Of course, I go against him and make him go the direction i want to. This goes on for the entire 1 hour walk.

Not that that is so terrible. Things are alot better with my dog than what they were. It's a daily challenge though. If you give him an inch, he goes 949024810 miles.

However I feel like we're stalemated. Like..we keep both struggling to be the leader. I need leader tips please! How can I show him I am the leader?

I make him sit and wait when I put his food down always. I don't let him up on the couches. My other dog is the dominant one and I give her presidence over him.

My voice not too strong but I try. (i've been nicknamed Minnie Mouse. it's not THAT squeaky it's just not low!)

ok but really what can I do to show my dog I am Leader!

Answer 1

dose he sleep on the bed with if so don't let him eat before him that's all can say your doing every the oh and when your on a walk and he pulls on up go the opposite direction

Answer 2

Step one: Stop watching Cesar Milan. This "pack leader" c**p is getting out of hand.

The dog depends on you for food, water, and shelter. You are the "dominant one" Your dog is just poorly trained. How loud your voice is should not be a factor. I rarely speak to my dogs above a normal conversation tone of voice. Since we take our walks very early ( around 4:00 a.m.) I often merely whisper and am heard and obeyed ( Hey does that make me a "Dog Whisperer"?).

A dog needs to learn that correct behavior  will make good things happen, and an incorrect behavior makes good things go away.

You are already on the right path. If he waits for his food he gets fed ( good thing), If he doesn't wait he doesn't eat ( good thing goes away).

When you give him a command, say it once. If he doesn't respond wait a few seconds and say it again. If need be, physically make a correction. No hitting, no kicking, no leash yanking (ala Cesar Milan).

On a walk go the way you want to go. If that means bumping into the dog or blocking his path that's what you do. Body commands are a language that dogs understand. It is how they communicate in nature.

Most people don't realize that, for example, " SIT"  and "SIT, SIT, SIT"

are two different and distinct commands to a dog. If you repeat a command several times before you get a response saying the same command once is not the same thing to the dog. It would be like instructing a child to "pick that up" and next time saying "that".

Patience and consistency are the key to dog obedience.

Good luck and don't give up.

Answer 3

I don't think your dog is trying to be leader. He may just be a bit more pushy. Dogs aren't power hungry and although it's a common belief that dogs are always trying to be "pack leader" it's very rarely true. Just make sure he does what you say when you say it. But you hold the "resources" in the house. You give the dogs food, water, toys, and beds to sleep on. You are the leader. Sounds like he just needs some more training and don't be afraid to be pushy back to him.

Edit: Good! I'll use that as as example. When you tell him to "leave it" only say it once. If he doesn't, then get right up, go over to him, and get it away from him. That's not a dominance problem, that's just a not listening problem! But if you're dominant over your other dog, and has more authority then this dog, then it would make no sense that this dog is trying to overtake you as leader.

Answer 4

His breed mix might be the reason for his behavior on your walks, it sounds like he is trying to herd you.  Why not work on some games that will exercise his herding nature, in conjunction with taking signals from you, which will help build his focus?  That way his instincts will have an outlet, but as with working BCs, under the leadership of the human shepherd.

"Walking a Border Collie

Many Border Collies want to forge (pull the handler forward) while on-leash. To eliminate this problem, start by holding a treat or toy in front of the dog's nose (dog is on a buckle collar and 6' leash, in 'heel' position) while taking a quick walk in the home. Praise and intermittent rewards will teach the dog to stay in heel position. Outdoors, to keep the dog's attention on staying in heel position use a combination of luring with treats or toys plus changing directions without saying anything to warn of the changes. Every time a Border Collie forges, change direction or pace. The surprise element keeps a Border Collie's attention on the handler."

http://www.bordercollie.org/lwbc.html

http://www.gforcebordercollies.com/activ...

Good luck!

Answer 5

Dog Whispering is becoming popular because it works.  On Yahoo Web search there are a number of sites dedicated to the subject. Also Amazon offers the book for $25.00.  Books from others are higher. I got this technique to work with my two sugar gliders (marsupials)  My female wasn't eating enough and I whispered to her and she went straight down and grabbed some food! I was amazed.

Answer 6

He is not overly dominant, he is hyper and unable to focus long enough to  learn to obey.  If he were overly dominant, the other dog would not be dominant to him. His hyperness should improve with age and if you alter.

Answer 7

You are right that a good dog needs you to be the leader, for your sake and his.  Luckily there are alot of small things that you can do to prove your dominance that don't involve yelling or any physical contact at all.

One easy thing is controlling his food.  I don't mean starvation tactics I mean letting him know that you are the provider of food.  In the wild dog packs hunt together but then the alpha male eats in peace as the rest of the pack waits for their turn.  You can simulate this by 'eating' out of the dog bowl before feeding your dog.  I suggest getting some crackers so he can hear you eating.  Hold the bowl up to your mouth and watch him as you eat your crackers.  If he jumps on you or tries to get any thing before you allow it, just turn away from him and say 'no sir'.

When it comes time for him to eat, make him sit and wait until you give the 'eat' command.  If he goes early then take the food away and do it again.

Another thing that works well with leadership issues is never allowing your dog to lead you through the house.  If you want to go to another room, make the dog sit and wait until you are through the doorway.  This works for going on walks to.

After a few weeks of being consistent and working with him, he will soon see you as his leader.

Good luck...