Why is this?

[Rain]

At home, we have 4 dogs, 2 border collies, 1 collie, and 1 shepherd mix. All of the dogs will listen to me, whether we're out on a walk, or when I'm correcting bad behavior. The problem is, they do not listen nor behave for anyone else that lives in the house. My dog especially, Jazz, really doesn't listen to them. I've taken her to obedience, and we're currently doing agility. She listens great for me (most of the time ) but completely ignores my parents. She loves my parents, and is always cuddling with them or following them around the house. So why do all the dogs listen to me (I only activitly work with Jazz) and are completely out of control for my parents?

[yoda's mom]

No follow through from the others? I think its kinda like kids - if you have one parent who is consistant in both the discipline & praise & one 'fruit loop' who's going to have more success in behaviour issues?

[Moo]

Yoda's mom is right. My Kirby is the same way. There are some things that Kirby will listen to lots of people for. I.e. Sit, stay, wait. When he was a pup, everybody practised them with him, and he got the same praise and discipline for those things from everybody.

But there are other things, and he only knows how to do it with me. It also has to do with the body language and tone. Kirby can jump into my arms, but I always say command, open my arms and be standing a certain way. So if somebody else just says the command, he won't know what's happening.

[weimlover0816]

The dogs don't see anyone else as their leader... they think that they are equals with the other humans in the house, and that isn't good. Do your parents want to take an active roll in the training? If so, it wouldn't take too long for them to assert themselves as leaders/alpha to the dogs, but if they do not want to take responsibility for this, then, I believe it is going to be rather hard for the dogs to see your parents or anyone else as their alpha.

How are they with other people who don't live in your house? Aggressive? Disobedient? Friendly?

[Rain]

The two border collies love everyone.. strangers or family. The collie just kinda goes with the flow, hes not overly friendly nor aggressive. Its the shepherd mix thats aggressive. If someone comes into the house, even someone she knows, she's always growling. I have to keep a close eye on her whenever someones over. We usually put her in another room to avoid mishaps.

[lou3]

dogs will respond to the person that trained them before anyone else - even over the person that feeds them. If no-one else in the house has taken the time to train them one-one then they will probably not do as they are told. I leave one of my dogs with my parents when i'm at uni and they have the same problem with her, she will NOT do as she is told for them unless they have food handy.