Dominance issue?

[Kama]

We have a 5 month old Cocker. This morning I was eating some almonds. He wanted some, he kept jumping around me. So, I made him do a sit and gave hime one. OK, but that wasn't enough for him. I was sitting on the sofa and he jumped up straight for my mouth while I was eating. Now, he didn't do any damage, though I felt his teeth a little bit. He was trying to grab the food I guess. This to me looks like a dominance issue. Am I right?

Also, last night, I was having a hard time taking him for a walk. He would just sit down on the ground on all fours and refuse to move. I had to pull him a few times till I finally got him moving.

I have been trying to make him work for his food, making him do sit, stay and come for his meals. Any other ideas?

 

[Zoom]

Maybe not alpha dominence, but at least undisciplined. He wanted something, he was going to take it. You should have gave him a very firm "NO--SIT!" while standing up.

On the walks, he's trying to tell you when and where the walk is going to take place. If you keep walking, eventually he's going to have to get up or he'll get dragged. Most dogs really don't like that. If you make it clear that you are the leader of the walk, eventually he should cave in and follow. There's a corgi in my Tuesday night class that had the same problem. I don't know if you have or want to use a pinch collar, but it's a rare dog that will put up with the pressure from it.

If you want to avoid using a different collar, just ignore the fact that he sat down. Don't give him a chance to, set offat a brisk pace and if you feel him lagging behind, don't slow down. Just keep walking.

 

[Brattina88]

Your puppy is probably a little confused, because he jumped up when he wanted an almond and he got one. He was just doing the same thing over again, just with more animation. I very strongly suggest that you never feed him scraps while you are eating. If you want to share you should put it in his bowl or work him in the area you feed him when you are completely done eating. Cockers (and about a dozen other breeds I can think of) tend to have what some people call "genetic hunger" And if you don't want an obese beggar. . .

http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

 

[Doberluv]

Brattina just took the words out of my keyboard. LOL. I was going to say, "Well, you have a very well trained dog. You taught him to take your almonds." LOL. Yup.....when he begs, ignore him. If you want to give him a handout, do it later, when he's not around thinking about it and do like you do and make him sit first. I don't ever feed my dogs anything while I'm eating, no matter where I am or what it is. He's not dominant. He just wanted the almonds and he thought it was perfectly fine to go for it. LOL. He'll be fine.

 

[amymarley]

Your pup is 4 months old, no dom. issue here. He's just a baby who knows what he wants and likes.

I am not referring to the o.p. here, but I have seen a lot of posts with people with PUPPIES, babies is what they are, getting way too concerned with aggression/dominance issues way before the pup is actually showing them.

Also, enjoy your puppy, he/she will not be a puppy forever. Don't get heated every time you see, or think you may see an "issue." Most "issues" work themselves out. When your pup is 2 years old or older and is starting to show a progression....that is when you get expert advice. Feel fine talking to your vet, even now, but I can assure you, your 'lil dude is just being a 'lil dude.
Take care, let us know how he progresses.
Amy