Toby obeys Daddy better than Me (mama)!!!

[TammyAnne]

Here I am spending all this time with Toby training and loving and feeding etc. and last night my husband commands Toby to lie down and he automatically does it, it takes me saying it at least two to three times before Toby will do it, He also came directly to my hubby the other day outside and it just blows my mind, my hubby hasnt spent much time with Toby at all and Toby shows all kinds of adoration for him......Oh my, it sounds like I'm jealous:lol-sign: Anyhow I'm not sure what I should be doing differently or is it just dog nature taking place?
Hubby says...."that just proves I'm a good person with a good heart, cause if babies and dogs dont like you then there's something wrong"

 

[Boemy]

Toby loves you both. But he respects Dad more than you, to be blunt. Don't worry, this can be changed! Dogs see their family as a hierarchy . . . He willingly obeys anyone who is clearly higher than him in the pack. You must make it clear to Toby that you, too, are an "alpha", higher than him, MUCH HIGHER, in the pack.

I suggest googling for NILF (Nothing In Life Is Free) training.

 

[britney]

there's also a seperate heirarchy for males and females. You should, as an alpha female be able to command complete respect from male dogs. But they are naturally inclined to learn from, and seek approval from higher ranking males.

I also find that simply expecting obedience is half the battle of getting it. You also could try demanding he does all his commands in a random manner before he gets fed. Or a pat, or a walk. If all the good things in life come at the price of instant obedience, he'll be doing whatever you can spell out for him in no time. On the other hand, if you give him what he wants coz he looks cute or whatever, he's got no incentive to do what you tell him.

The basics of dog training is that your dog gets nothing untill he does what he's told. Ever. Every time you go "close enough" you are just making it hard for yourself and the dog. Decide what you want each command to mean and how tight you want it, and after that there are no exceptions or good enough. If doggie don't perform, doggie gets nothing.

 

[poodlesmom]

It can be frustrating can't it!

One thing that came to my mind is timbre of voice. I'm willing to bet that your hubby has a deeper voice which while he is being nice comes across as more authoritive. Where you have a higher pitched voice which may be seen as nice but not particularly authoritive. Plus the fact that Toby has gotten used to you giving the commands more than once. Just as an experiment try lowering your voice a little and only give the command once and see what reaction you get from Toby. I have a feeling you will see a difference.

 

[TammyAnne]

Thanks!!! You all gave some great advise, much needed and much appreciated I know I need to be more authorative and strict with him, a neighbor told me yesterday that I just have him spoiled and he is like a little kid pushing my buttons