I think I'm finally Alpha!!

[Steven]

Hey everyone:

For those that don't remember or didn't read my posts about Cooper, I'll refresh/add to your memory. :)

A couple weeks ago Cooper started to growl and nip and just being a little brat. :devil: Well, I think he finally got the pack order sorta correct and knows who is boss; "Naw humdad I juswt pwlaying, I'm da boss here." Oh well, at least he doesn't growl/nip at me anymore and if he does a quick No gets him to stop. Sometimes he tests me in that area though.

Now, my mom just has to convince him she's above him and not the other way around. Not sure why he thinks he's above her, maybe it's her voice. He'll growl and just get upset with her, we're working on it.

[lotsadox]

Sounds like you're making good progress. Maybe little LC is just an alpha wannabe. He can't be above you in the back, but hasn't given up being above your mom yet. Keep working on it, I"m sure he'll understand eventually.

[Heide]

now just keep working with him around your mom too.
Repitition is so important. Reinforcement is needed to.

[Steven]

We take turns playing with him, taking him out and feeding. She'll take care of him during the morning and I take him the rest of the day. We did this so I could sleep more. :D She doesn't like to sleep as long as I do. :asleep:

So eventually he'll get it...or at least I can hope. :)

[Lauri Gengor]

Good for you Steven. Now just keep with the repitition and reinforcement...have mom treat LC no differently. I have found my new addition obeys my husband as myself if we both use the same "bad, "praise", "affection" and "obey" tones in our voices. Mirri will respond to both of us as she should. In the past I was the alpha and my husband "funtime" with my first Dachi. He only took me seriously. He growled at hubby and never listened to him. We learned from that experience. We both fed him, not only me. My husband became more involved in his training too. In time Marco learned we both meant business.

[doxielover@rcn.]

Steven, glad you're making progress with LC.

[Kim H.]

The girls seem to respect my husband as alpha male, but I don't think they've figured out yet that I'm alpha female. There is more nipping and jumping when they get very excited, and they tend to fight over my lap more often. We think it might be the lower tome of his voice.

your mom and I will have to keep working on it!
:nono: :pink: :pink:

[Steven]

Everyday seems to get better, so it's getting through that hard head of his. I've also been rough-housing with him and if he gets my fingers with his mouth there's hardly any pressure. If I say "ouch" he stops or jumps back waiting for my reaction, which is usually a break for a few seconds and then back to play. Most of the time though the "ouch" is not really because he hurt, it was just a reflex.

[maryanne]

Congrats, Steven and Cooper, sounds like you're on the right track.

[FOREVER A DAXIE]

I'm glad his not doing the growling thing anymore. Charlie was nipping too but really that has slowed down a lot over the last few weeks - plus I use a spray bottle.

[Patt]

Hi Steven

Looks like everything is beginning to fall into place with Cooper. Your doing a great job, keep it up. :)

Patt

[doxielover@rcn.]

Steven:

You mentioned hard head! LOL Doxies can be very very stubborn. I used to call Tiffany concrete head. She was so stubborn it got to be very frustrating. But we love our furkids anyway.
:circle: :dizzy:

[TessieMom]

Congratulations on becoming alpha... now you have to line up the rest of the pack order! Your mom needs to eat before he gets fed and only allow him on the furniture when she says it is okay.

Good Luck,
Rena and the Waco crew

[Steven]

I have to put the pack order in order. I also have to keep my position strong, as LC is most likely a alpha wannabe and will try to take it! :D I'll make sure he gets fed last, hadn't thought about that!

[TessieMom]

There are several things that you should control...
1) Feeding order
2) Position on bed or furnature
3) He should go out the door after people rather than before
4) Greeting new people
5) Obedience is also good for keeping everything in order

Rena and the Waco crew

[Tammara]

Keep it up, my husband is learning the hard way!

It seems right now, I'm alpha, even though Rick tells the pups he's alpha dog and Ruben is "Beta Boy." I'm not sure Ruben is believing him. In the yard, which isn't yet wired," I can get Ruben to STOP, both pups ignore my husband.

He likes to roll around on the floor with them and let them lick his face. :fierce: Then when he gets chewed on he wonders why.

"My" dogs are also potty trained at 12 weeks. "His" dogs are too busy playing to use the potty box (every time) for Daddy. We'll get there.

Continued success to you & LC!