My 2 yr old female continues to poke at other dogs at the dog park, in what I assume is an attempt to get them to run. Once she focuses in on a particular dog, it is difficult to get her to stop this behaviour...I've even seen dogs snap at her viciously and she keeps at it. We also have an issue of her always needing attention whenever we pay attention to our other dog, no matter how much attention we've given her, she always tries to get in the way if we pet our other dog. Has anyone else encountered these behaviours, and how can I make her stop? What am I doing wrong?
Help! Still poking at other dogs and "getting in the middle of things"
- Thread starter SachiBear
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For helping her learn better social skills with other dogs - I'd suggest that you try to engineer some playdates with adult dogs who're both good natured and very self-assured. True alphas, who can put her in her place nicely but firmly, and then still be willing to play with her afterward. Not snappy middle-rankers, or young dogs whom she may bully. But self-assured adults who'll teach her better social skills.
And of course, when the dogs you do find to play with aren't capable of that or she's just being an outright pest - you don't have to stand by and let her behave that way. You can intervene yourself. No need for any tellings-off. Just retrieve your dog and take her away on her own for a few minutes, for a short training session instead. Then let her back to play. If she behaves better, great. If she doesn't, another exclusion is in order. The message she should get from this is that if she doesn't play nicely, SHE is penalised and doesn't get to play at all.
As for the pushy behaviour at home... I think you've a dog there who believes her place in the hierarchy is well above where it should be
She should not be rewarded for pushy behaviour like that. Hard to achieve, of course, because any attention is a reward - including negative attention. But you should try to ensure that she never is rewarded for it.
I'd suggest implementing a strict "Nothing in life is free" (NILIF) regime in your household. This is a way of life, btw, not a temporary training regime. And all it means is that the dog gets nothing for free. Nothing means nothing. No food, no treats, no attention, no seat on the couch, no opened doors, no leash attached for a walk. Absolutely nothing is free. The dog *must* do something for you first. In short, she (actually both of them) must earn their treats, privilages, and attention. So YOU have to ask something of the dog before you give out whatever it is the dog wants. Every single time. It isn't that hard - what you ask can be something as simple as a sit. But you must ask it, and the dog provide it - before you provide the reward (especially when the reward is attention). And if the dog demands something instead of offering to earn it (ie. she pushes in instead of coming up and offering a sit), then the dog must be ignored. Reward pushy and you will continue to get pushy. Reward instead the polite behaviour - and you will continue to get polite behaviour. Providing you've taught the polite behaviour, it really is as simple as that
And of course, when the dogs you do find to play with aren't capable of that or she's just being an outright pest - you don't have to stand by and let her behave that way. You can intervene yourself. No need for any tellings-off. Just retrieve your dog and take her away on her own for a few minutes, for a short training session instead. Then let her back to play. If she behaves better, great. If she doesn't, another exclusion is in order. The message she should get from this is that if she doesn't play nicely, SHE is penalised and doesn't get to play at all.
As for the pushy behaviour at home... I think you've a dog there who believes her place in the hierarchy is well above where it should be
She should not be rewarded for pushy behaviour like that. Hard to achieve, of course, because any attention is a reward - including negative attention. But you should try to ensure that she never is rewarded for it.I'd suggest implementing a strict "Nothing in life is free" (NILIF) regime in your household. This is a way of life, btw, not a temporary training regime. And all it means is that the dog gets nothing for free. Nothing means nothing. No food, no treats, no attention, no seat on the couch, no opened doors, no leash attached for a walk. Absolutely nothing is free. The dog *must* do something for you first. In short, she (actually both of them) must earn their treats, privilages, and attention. So YOU have to ask something of the dog before you give out whatever it is the dog wants. Every single time. It isn't that hard - what you ask can be something as simple as a sit. But you must ask it, and the dog provide it - before you provide the reward (especially when the reward is attention). And if the dog demands something instead of offering to earn it (ie. she pushes in instead of coming up and offering a sit), then the dog must be ignored. Reward pushy and you will continue to get pushy. Reward instead the polite behaviour - and you will continue to get polite behaviour. Providing you've taught the polite behaviour, it really is as simple as that
ELubas
Boxer Insane
Just wanted to add that gmacleod was kind enough to give me similiar advice in regard to my 8 mos old "bully" and it has made all the difference. We actually went to the dog park (something I could not imagine doing with this girl!!!!) and she did very well sniffing and greeting. She now has to sit politely before getting to go off and romp which really helps me to get her calm before she romps. NILIF is a great way to establish your rank and I still will quietly but firmly remove her if she starts the pinning and growling stuff. When she regains her "composure" we give it another go-she is really starting to get the connection between proper play and getting to have fun. It really has made a HUGE difference and I feel her future is much brighter now that she is getting guidance both form me and other good alpha dogs. Our Boxer girls can be such "B's" 
Good luck
Good luck- Status