Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dog Training > dog trying to control owner

dog trying to control owner

18 17:52:53

Question
our dog tries to control us by blocking us,peeing, nipping at us.  When we try to discipline her she pees more.  How do we start to get control of her?  She is 5 month old labradoodle.

Answer
The urination is typical "submissive" behavior.  The best way to deal with this is to simply ignore the urination and clean up after the learning session.  Do not coddle or feel sorry for the dog because of this urination as that will only complicate things in the future.  If she rolls over or urinates just step away and let come to you.  Praise her any time she is engaged in dealing with change and doesn't pee.  Try to work with her either outside or on a hard floor.

Now the other issue of control.  Please understand that I am responding to what you have stated and in doing that I am assuming quite a bit about your dog.  Without knowing exactly what leads to this and what follows it I will be speaking in general applications. I will also address your issues without using behavioral or psychological terms as to make it easy for all to understand.  I always invite questioners to call me and discuss the issue in more detail as well. This way I can ask questions to make sure we are on the same page.  I am not here seeking approval of training or application methods so please do not reply and tell me that my method or approach is wrong as there are many ways to apply the learning theory of domesticated dogs and mine is proven and effective on all dogs.  I have a full understanding of this theory accumulated through years of hands on training experience and formal education in this specific field.
Your observation of her attempting to control you is somewhat accurate but not entirely considering the age of the dog.  What is more likely happening is that she is seeking leadership through challenging you with the blocking and nipping.  This doesn't necessarily mean she wants to be in control but that she wants to know who is so that she can follow their lead!  We will break this into simple steps.
1.  Establish a vocal praise word(s) such as "Good Dog" and link that with physical praise such as firm patting of the chest and sides.  Do not stroke or pet the head or back.  The idea here is to teach the dog what praise is so we can use it at anytime to reward a target behavior.  Remember this praise needs to occur within 1/2 of 1 second of the target behavior to be understood efficiently by the dog.
2.  You need to take control of your dog in a neutral situation when no bad behavior is prevalent. She should walk on a loose lead and follow you in any directional changes and she should keep slack in the lead at all times.  Put her through a variety of small exercises in following you through doorways, you always go first, and up stairs or over things, around trees, really anything that makes her pay attention to, and follow your lead.  She should be forced to do this and praised (as in "1." above)  If she attempts to lead then you need to learn how to control her before going any further.  If you like I can address that later.  I'm going to assume that you already have control of her at this point.  
2. Now create the situation that leads to her "blocking" preferably with the lead on.  When she attempts to insert herself simply remove her and place her in a position behind you (or of your liking) and praise.  Do not use a command during this process just physically remove her whether with the lead or by grabbing her with your hands and putting her in the rear position and don't forget the praise.  Repeat this as many times as necessary being as physical as necessary to "force" the change of behavior to her being behind you.  Praise, praise, praise!  When done correctly this will take a total of maybe 5 minutes in which you will get 15 to 20 reps of the actions.  Often only 4 or 5 will be necessary before she will realize what you want.  Now anytime she assumes the correct position ( not blocking) praise her.  You will need somewhere between 200 and 600 repetitions of her doing the correct thing (not blocking) before she can be considered truly "trained or conditioned" on this behavior change.  Those will occur whenever you praise her for not interfering in your path of travel.  It sounds like a lot of work but these reps can occur 20 to 50 times a day whenever she stays out of your way and you praise her.  It is the praise of a behavior that defines a rep.  
(Time break down: 5 minutes to teach, 1 second each rep to condition.)

*****  The nipping should be dealt with independently of the blocking and is the beginning of a biting behavior that can become a serious problem regardless of the breed of dog you have.  To deal with this you need to understand the "1,2, Good Dog" protocol. 1. Is the action you take to change her action.  2. Is the resulting action (behavior)  "Good Dog" is the praise.
Now create a situation with her where she nips or takes your hand in her mouth. Once she has her mouth on your hand take your action to make it stop. Maybe a loud, low in tone, short "a" sound, or a firm slap across her nose, or grab her tongue, or push down on the inside of her mouth with your thumb or finger.  Any of these will make her release your hand or quit the bite then praise immediately several times. (You're praising the quitting of the bite or not biting but in order to get that first she has to bite then quit the bite.)  Repeat this process several times.  Usually only takes 5 or 6 times, at this age, until the dog won't let you put your hand in her mouth.  Now repeat anytime she starts to mouth your hand.  Increase the intensity of your action in relationship to your dogs reaction.  Louder as needed, slap firmer as need, ect.  Playing rough with her is a good way to get her to want to mouth or nip at your hand so that you can use this process.  Remember this is again a 5 minute or less process to teach with the conditioning reps occurring over several weeks.  AS with all teaching situations you need ot have control of her so that she can not leave the situation to avoid learning.
I've done my best to keep it simple and short but it seems I have still written a book!!! LOL
Once learned the process is very simple and quick and can be applied to any training or behavioral situation.  Please if you are confused call me.  AS long as you pay for the phone call I will give free explanation. 509-991-0385 ask for Dr. Hogan until 10pm Pacific time.
The only way to truly get a dog to quit a bad behavior is by making it uncomfortable any time it exhibits that behavior and praising it when it quits or doesn't exhibit it.