Multiple questions

[WBSB280]

I have a 8 month old Huskie, Chow, and Chocolate Lab mix. We've been working with him a lot, but we still can't get him to come to us when he's outside. Even when he's on his leash. He comes good when he's inside though. Also, we are having problems showing him who's dominant. It's like half the time he know's we are, and then the other half he forgets. And we don't know how to handle him around people. He gets SO excited to see people that he jumps on them and goes crazy.
And last thing, we currently live in Michigan, but will be moving to Las Vegas within the next year, will it be hard for him to adjust to the new enviroment?

[Dawn]

The adjustment problem that you'll probably have is the temp change. So just be sure to watch him for any problems. What sort of training have you done outside on come?

[Lou]

Boy! Can I relate to what you are dealing with. Our border collie/cattle dog mix was a pistol to convince she lived with US. I had never dealt with a dog as smart as she is and she used every way she could think of to be dominant...natural for a working/herding breed... but, not acceptable if she was to be our pet. This may sound a bit goofy, but I got on the cattle dog web site and talked with a couple of trainers and it was suggested that when she was not paying attention to make her look you right in the eyes, if she won't, take her by the sides of her head and force her to. If she got wiggly I was to take her down and actually lay on her until she got settled... to keep telling her to "settle" in a soft, reassuring voice..but don't give in.(And, hey that is a challenge in itself when you are on Social Security!!!) When she did, then praise and reward and let her up,and praise and love her. I only had to do that about 3 times and she got the message. Also, she was to do a sit stay at feeding time and when offered to her, to tell her to "leave it" and not let her have it until you said "okay". It took a bit of consistency and patience, but she is very sure who is dominant. Never any harshness or hurting her. Also, she was given "time out" in the pantry when she would not mind. I would tell her "wrong" and close the door ... just for a few minutes, then go praise her and reward her... but, if she acted up, back she would go. It didn't take long and she got the message. As to the excitability around guests....I am still working on that. Someone on this forum suggested a down/stay command for 5 - 15 minutes and then release her. Repeat as needed. I have to admit, she is coming around. The other day I did a down/stay and got busy and after quite a while I glanced around for her and remembered I had put her in a down/stay and bless her heart there she was... all that time. Boy, did she get some goodies as a reward and lots of praise. I am a firm believer that consistency and patience will win the day. Do it with the right motive and lots of love and they will come around. And don't think these guys can't read you like a book....they sense it when you are impatient, or aggrevated and they'll react in kind. They want to please you and loyalty gained through love is much more rewarding that when gained through making them fearful. If you are up to it... give it a try.

[WBSB280]

The ways we have worked with him on come outside is to have a small treat hidden in our hand and crouch down and call him. We knew that he only came for the treat because when we didn't have a treat he would run away. And one time when he got out of the house he ran down the road and didn't come even for a treat. (A neighbor dog stopped him)
And for showing dominance our vet had us work with him by having a treat, give it to him, and then take it out of his mouth. He would then get upset with us and growl, and our vet told us to grab the scruff around his neck (which he has alot of loose skin from being part chow) and pull him to the ground and tell him "calm". This would work most of the time, and we would then say "good boy" and let him up, but other times he would growl louder, and sometimes bear his teeth. For this the vet said to pick him up off of the ground by the scruff until he calmed. I felt that this was cruel, but it worked to a certain extent. We no longer have a problem with taking treats or toys from him. But it's a hard now to keep doing it because he is now 60 lbs, and is VERY strong. Only my boyfriend can out muscle him now.

[fullhouse9873]

Here's a couple simple things you can do around the house to teach your dog that you are dominant. First off - don't let your dog up on the bed or furniture. This is a big no-no. He will think that it puts you on the same level (OK - I'm a hypocrite because both of my boys sleep with me - but knock on wood - we haven't had dominance issues!). Second thing - don't let your dog jump up on you, sit on your lap or lean on you. These are all ways of displaying his dominance.

I've also heard of people not giving their dog attention until he completes a command (not petting him until you tell him to sit and he does it). I've never tried it myself - but you might want to give it a whirl. Just tell him sit - and then pet him.

One thing that will help with dominance issues is training. Your pup will learn that you are in charge - and he has to do what you say - because you're the boss. Just remember - he is only 8 months old. He is still a rambuctious teenager! Try some lessons though - I'd bet they'll help!

[Dawn]

I would really not recommend taking treats out of a dog's mouth that you just gave to him. That is completely backward thinking. If you're working on food aggression, you need to work with taking food away that is on the ground.

On training to come, never tell your dog to do something that you can not make him do. So, when you're working with come, have him attached to a long lead (30 foot.) Allow him to wonder a bit off, tell him to come, if he doesn't, jerk the lead, and make him come. Gradually allow him to get farther and farther away. I also wouldn't teach come with a treat. Use praise only. You never know when he's going to have to come, and you aren't going to have a treat.

[Lou]

On the come command, we give treats occasionally... that way she is never quite sure, but she comes to check just in case!
I agree, not a good idea to take food out of a dog's mouth as a training tool. Our trainer told us to have her sit before placing her food on the floor. Then tell her to "leave it" and remove it and then offer again and repeat. When she "leaves it" and sits with it in front of her, then say "okay" or whatever to release her (be consistent with the wordsused) and let her have it. This is a good way to establish the fact you are in control. "Leave it" has been a wonderful tool when she goes for something that might be harmful on a walk, or something she wants to go after. It is a good way to not overuse the "stay" command... which should mean that and only that, When she responds correctly give her a lot of praise.

[fullhouse9873]

Never, ever take food out of a dog's mouth if he's growling at you. This is just setting yourself up for an accident. The "scruff shake" that you are doing is a good idea - I use it as one of my last resorts for corrections. I only use it when my dogs are being extremely naughty. I push them to the ground and say "NO" in a loud firm voice. What this is doing is showing the dog that you are boss - because you're putting him into a submissive position.

Always work your dog on a leash - you never want to give your dog a command unless you can make him do it if he won't do it himself. I really don't train with treats that much either - I like my dogs to do things for me because they want to - not because they're going to get something to eat.