dog dominance over other dogs in family

Question
Hi,
We purchased a doberman puppy(six weeks old) and have two other dogs.  One is a female springer-spaniel, age 10 and the other is a small, 20 pound male mixed breed, aged 12.  My male doberman puppy is now six months old and is relentless towards the other dogs.  The springer has attacked him several times and he some times will leave her alone but he is relentless towards my mall 20 pound dog.  He jumps on him, bites him even if the dog turns violent to get him off of him but the puppy won't stop.  We have to keep them separated all the time so the little dog does not get hurt.  My doberman circles and pushes both dogs all the time.  We just neutered our puppy.  What should I do to make him stop this behavior.

Your help is much appreciated.

Answer
The Doberman is a breed intended for independent guarding, police work, etc. and needs a strong, consistent hand with positive reinforcement training.  It appears that your puppy is not receiving this leadership from you, and you MUST institute a positive reinforcement training regimen NOW.

Go to: http://www.clickertraining.com/

Once you've acquired sufficient education, begin teaching this dog ONE STRONG behavior: "sit", but use another word, as most people have "trained" a dog to ignore this command or offer it haphazardly.  Over the course of two weeks, in short, multiple daily sessions, teach your dog to "SIT".  Once he has obtained this behavior and can offer it 100% of the time, put him on a Nothing In Life Is Free regimen.  This regimen was designed by a British veterinarian/behaviorist, Debbie O'Farrel, many years ago.  It creates a secure, controlled environment in the dog's mind; it makes the dog perceive YOU as the ultimate authority.  Make him EARN EVERYTHING: being fed, being petted, played with, allowed in/out.  Keep him on this regimen for at LEAST six months.

I doubt you've properly socialized this Doberman to other dogs, people, places, and your window of opportunity has now slamnmed shut.  He will, no doubt, demonstrate fear and/or dominance toward other dogs he meets, as he has been conditioned to display these behaviors at home.  You should begin attempting to introduce him to other people, dogs, etc., with an eye for dominance or fear behaviors.  If he displays any aggression or over excitement (and he will), go in the opposite direction for a few seconds and then turn back;  keep doing this until he is calm and then reward his calm demeanor.  If you discover a problem you cannot handle, get a professional to assist you.

You must protect your other dogs, they are too elderly to obtain psychological dominance over him; he is (so far) somewhat respecting your older bitch but he is demonstrating real dominance toward your older dog.  This is to be expected from this breed.  Do not allow him to freely interact with the other dogs without your CLOSE supervision; put a house tab (light nylon leash) on him when he interacts with them; if he demonstrates any pushy behavior, interrupt it with a loud clap of your hands or other sound (that doesn't startle him or the other dog) and remove him with the leash, then TURN YOUR BACK on him for ten seconds, and release him.  Once he is trained to "sit", when you remove him ask him for that behavior and reward it, then release him.

you really require the experience of an in person evaluation from a certified applied animal behaviorist.  This young dog can be helped and he can become a wonderful companion.  Find such a professional by calling the veterinary college in your geographical are; be certain the person is a bona fide expert, not some obedience trainer hiding behind make believe credentials.  Meanwhile, educate yourself regarding dog psychology.  Read Turid Rugaas' "Calming Signals" which will allow you to read his body language; read John Fisher's "Think Dog" and Patricia McConnell's "For The Love of A Dog".  Avoid AT ALL COST any Neanderthal, coercive training techniques; your Doberman is too SMART for that and it will make the situation worse.