domance behaviers? Boston Terriers play behavior

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a question...I've had my three dogs fro over a year now i've had the first two dogs for 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 years I bought the last one last may. The are in order of age labrador retiever, jack russell terrier and boston terrier female spayed male neutered and female spayed. I lately have seen my boston terrier chewing on my labs collar she pulled it fof the other day I had to tighten it!..i looked out the window two days ago and saw my boston almost hanging from my labs collar chewwing and swinging it like a toy...her feet were lifting from the ground...but my lab just stood there...what's this all about lol? My boston is the lest domanting in the household as she knows she is never going to go up over my jacvk russell terrier and my lab is I think the boss below me of course.... my jack russell trys to be over her but he is much smaller and his attemps normaly fail(play fighting..never any blood shed but clashing teeth mounting ect) is this about domance or is my boston just wanting to eat my labs collar? my lab is 80 pounds my jack russell is 15 pounds and my boston terreir is 14 pounds! Its been making me wonder all week hopefully you can offer some insight.

ANSWER: Hi, The reason that the Boston Terrier breed has an unpredictable personality is because of it's roots, crossing Bull Terriers and Bull Dogs, both of which can be aggressive breeds. The Boston Terrier was used in pit fights back in the 1800's, as you may know. This is why owners must make time to socialize these active little dogs. You sound like you are doing a great job with socializing her. Being a clever and quick learner, also can make her pick up bad habits quickly and be quite saucy. Usually they are a one-person dog and adjust well to family living. Running children and other dogs can be a huge temptation. I suspect your job will be to correct any bad behavior with her until she is perfect 100% of the time. This may take some time. Elicit the help of a friend, probably best to use strangers familiar with dogs. Do not let her sniff them or get to know them ahead of time.  Have the person with the other dog run by, playing, jumping, making noise, and any kind of distraction you may encounter when they play naturally. When she wants to go to the dog, say "LEAVE IT", to get her attention back focused on you. Praise her for ignoring the other dog. Repeat and repeat this exercise until you can have hers off lead, sitting by you and you can say the command but he will not move. Don't forget praise where praise is due. Eventually she will look to you for the okay to approach the dogs. She sounds like she is just playing and play fighting. How old is she? She may still be teething, so be sure to leave plenty of bones and chew toys around to teach her that those are okay to chew, and collars...are off limits ("LEAVE IT"). There is going to be a pack order and they will figure it out, but you must make sure as the Alpha dog that everyone is "GENTLE" with each other. I allow some playing, but when teeth come out, I say "GENTLE" and let them resume playing as long as they do not show teeth, mouthing is okay. She is probably going for the labs collar in an attempt to get the lab to play. Does she go into a 'front paws down, hind end up' posture? When you see that posture it is their way of trying to engage someone to play with them. I know that you will be fine with this issue.  Please leave me some feedback, nominations if you wish, and keep me posted. The only way we can tell we are doing a good job as volunteers is by your feedback or reposting us. It is much easier to see results in our classes. So let me know how it goes with her, I would love to know her age and how you progress with her. Thank you for writing. Regards, Susan

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QUESTION: Hello again, I didnt email to train my dogs with expensive trainers and strangers I really only wanted to know Why she is doing this? My jack russell does this sometimes I know for sure with him its dominance behavior because he is a dominanting dog...my boston terrier I failed to mention is over 1 year old and had her baby teeth removed during her spay at 8 months since they weren't falling out properly. no she doesnt do the play bow just goes grabs my labs neck skin or collar and twists and jerks I am not sure why my lab doesnt do anything I find this odd for her to take this from her tiny pal...my bostons only 14/15 pounds and 11 inches at the shoulder. My boston terrier is a very good dog and doesnt do this often she also doesnt fight with the other dogs and yes I know the breed came from pit dogs which is one reason I love the breed I love pitbulls but didn't feel I could handle such a large Dog agressive dog. Hannah's (boston terrier) personility is Not unpreditable I can see what shes going to do before she does it through body laungage, Thanks for the reply thou.

Answer
Hi, It does sound like you have a good handle on your pack and know why they act the way they do. Your lab sounds very gentle and has a lot of patience. As long as no one is getting hurt and it is all in play, it seems there is no reason to prevent it. You know what you are doing, so I am sure you will intervene when you feel it is necessary. Warm wishes for you and your pack. Regards, Susan