Help my German Shepherd is trying to be the Alpha

Question
QUESTION: Hi my name is Meggan, I have a 3 year old female German Shepherd, her name is Reagan, she is spayed and a female. I found her on the side of the road, three years ago, she was about 8 weeks. I have three other dogs, two Yorkies a male and female both spayed and neutered and a collie mix that I rescued, she is 9, and spayed. The yorkies are 7 and 8. I had no plans of keeping this pup, but I got attached. She has recently, started jumping on the collie mix (Bailey), she is about 45lbs., and has jumped on the yorkies too. I do not know what to do. Bailey (collie mix) can handle herself, I am afraid for my Yorkies. Reagan has been in obedience training, and passed. I just don't know if Ihave too many dogs or what. The Yorkies are spoiled especially the female, could Reagan be jealous? Als I will be leaving to go out of town for about a week, and the dogs will stay home with my family, I was considering taking Reagan, so the other dogs could have some peace. Is that a good idea, or is it trouble for me when I get back home with her?  Reagan and Bailey stay outside during the day, The yorkies are inside. At night they come in, but I keep Reagan and the female Yorkie downstairs with me, Bailey and the male yorkie are upstairs they are seperated by a baby gate. I need any help that you are able to offer. Thank you for your time.


Sincerely,

Meggan

ANSWER: With good leadership you shouldn't have much trouble managing all those dogs.  It does sound like the obedience training Reagan took was about him learning to sit.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm  Since the class you attended neglected the essential, I would suggest finding a good book.  Here are some more:

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991


Yes, give the other dogs and whoever is caring for them a break and take Reagan with you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Also when I get back, do you think that would cause a problem, maybe for Reagan, trying to get back and take over?

Answer
The more I think about it, the better I like Reagan going along.  I don't know if you will have much down time on the trip, but to pick up a book and get started with the new regime without the distractions of the other dogs would be a good idea.  it won't Reagan taking over when you get back, but Megan.  While they may not be showing the problems Reagan is, the other dogs need strong leadership too.  

Good books are hard to find.  I was at a Borders Books Sunday, and the only one I mentioned they had was the Monks of New Skete book.