[dogsr4life]

Hello. I have a Great Dane female (turning 5 in about 2 weeks). She went to puppy training when (of course when she was a puppy).

She is extremely sweet, but lately she has been getting out of hand. She just won't listen when you want her to do something (unless you have food in your hand lol). I've been thinking that it has something to do with the Dominance order. I've never heard of this with Danes, but it's possible with every dog. It's been starting since we've started letting her on our beds. For a while she wasn't allowed on the beds, but recently she's been getting away with it.

She's always been dog aggressive, and now I see her raising her tail higher and bristiling more than she used to. (both signs of dominance, but with a Great Dane, you can imagine having their heads raised lol). I used to have a female Great Pyrenees, and she used to boss Gracie around, but when she passed away Gracie (my dane) has been getting more barkitive with dogs she sees walking, and doing the tail raising.

When I tell her to stop barking, all she seems to do is look at me for a second, and then she continues barking. Also, sometimes I can get her to sit without food, but it's laying down and coming that she having trouble with. I would tell her to lay down, and she'll just stay sitting. And, when she's out in my backyard, I would call her name and she just ignores me.

I've also been getting sat on more often, but that's common in Danes. I know she'll never get to the point where she snaps or does other aggressive things, she's just to sweet to do things like that. Oh, one more thing, she is spayed, if that helps any.

Any suggestions on what to do?

[Curbside Prophet]

Institute NILIF and take an obedience class. I suspect this has more to do with lack of training and organized activities. Some people like to call these issues a dominance struggle, only because it's so convenient to than use that excuse for punitive measures. When all the dog really needs is some clear guidance by the owner.

If she's "always" been dog aggressive, you should have this assessed by a behaviorist first before taking an obedience course. There's a fine line between arousal and aggression, and if something bad should happen, I guarantee you it will happen quickly. So please have these cues read by a professional. The final last words by most owner before aggression escalates into something dangerous is "I don't think my dog is capable of that." And many times they are right, they *don't think*. So please don't be one of these people. Institute NILIF, have your dog professionally assessed, and get back to training the behaviors you do want.

Your dog can still lay on the bed, just make sure she earns it before doing so. You may also want to muzzle her on walks, at least until your dog is cleared by a behaviorist.

[Alpha]

I don't know if you think this, I'm just assuming because you've mentioned she went to puppy class years ago that you think because she went to puppy class she should behave. It would be like me saying when I was two my mom put me in a beauty pageant and I just can't understand why I'm not Miss Universe now! ROFL

I think most of the time, the use of the "dominance" theory in training is usually an excuse because proper rules and guidance have not been followed. If proper rules are laid down in the beginning the whole "dominance" thing is usually avoided. What it looks like, is a five year old dog that hasn't had proper boundaries it's whole life, and this is the consequence.

Also with the dog aggression, if a dog is aggressive, it's aggressive. No ifs ands or buts. You never "get rid of" DA, it's ALWAYS there.

I agree with Curb. Go back to dog school. Dog training never really ends, it's an ongoing thing.The in-laws, who have two dogs, always ask me how my dogs are so well behaved, to which I always reply, hundreds of hours have gone into my dogs, and everyday I work with them. They just don't want to put the time in, so they won't get the result.

I think all you need to do is start laying down some rules and abiding by them. Like Curb said, making her work for things she wants, NILIF (nothing in life is free) it can be as simple as asking her down before she gets her food, (if you free feed stopping now would be a good idea ) or asking for a calm sit before she can jump on the bed. In essence, dozens of times through the day, your just making your dog WORK for what you want, and at the same time, showing her that your in control of what she wants, and she needs to do what you want to get it. It's not as forceful or mean as it sounds. It's simply: You want to get on the bed? Well you need to sit first. She doesn't sit, she doesn't get up, she does she gets invited up. It's a very non chalant way of getting your dog to do what you want.

[Cheetah]

Also, bristling/raised hackles is NOT a sign of dominance. It's just a sign that the dog is extremely excited for one reason or another (fear, being worked up, being unsure of something, it's like when the hair on your arms or the back of your neck stand on end). Many dogs do this when they approach each other, whether they intend to be aggressive or not.

[dogsr4life]

Oh, well when I researched it the pages said that it could mean showing dominance. I suppose that you are right though.

I can see that not being trained enough is the problem. I should find a local class. With other dogs it's really when the other dogs act up that she goes crazy. Anyway, I'll take everyone's advice. Thanks.

[RedyreRottweilers]

You have gotten great advice, the only thing I would add is SO many people make the mistake of giving their dogs and puppies a CHOICE of whether to comply or not.

I don't give dogs choices. I set them up so that the right choice is the only one to make. I help dogs comply on the first command. I don't give commands I'm not prepared to help with.

For example, go out with a cookie to get the dog. Don't call her for a while. Go everytime with a food reward when you want her to come in.