My dog, a Boston Terrier-almost 3 years old, is usually fine with other dogs at dog parks, but when she comes with me to the pet store I work at, she snarls at most of the dogs! She knows she isn't suppose to act this way and will back off from most dogs instead of snarling, but she is still tense and will immediately snarl if they come near her! She thinks the store is hers, and the associates that work there all love her and dote on her. She is an alpha dog and continually challenges me. I am trying to be more careful of any alpha role she may be still taking on that I am not in tune to. She is not spayed as I plan on breeding her, so I hope once she has a litter and I spay her she will discontinue this behavior, but is there anything I can do now?
Sounds like you have a handful at certain times. I think you hit the nail on the head with the issue on alpha.
ensure you and your family members have read and understand the techniques in the bonus book "Secrets to becoming the Alpha Dog". These are great techniques for maintaining or establishing your position at the head of the household. No matter what the problem is all dogs need to know where the stand in the house for both yours and their peace and comfort.
Here are some ways to reinforce your position-
1) If you come across your dogs while they are sleeping or lying on the floor then you can reinforce your position as alpha dog by making him move so that you can pass by.
2) Make sure that you always go through doorways first. A good method to reinforce your position as alpha dog is to walk your dog around the house on the leash, making your dog wait while you walk through doorways first.
3) At mealtimes make sure that your dogs eat after all of the humans have.
4) Do not feed your dogs tidbits or let it pester you at the table. Save the morsels and tidbits for training sessions instead.
5) Do not greet your dogs straightaway when you arrive home. Make it wait until you are ready and then call it to you.
6) Whenever your dogs want attention or anything wait till they are sitting and being well behaved.
7) When you give a command make sure that you are in a position to enforce the action that you require from your dog, especially in the initial stages of Alpha Dog training. Also, use the Alarm-No-Command technique as described in the Alpha Dog bonus book to reprimand your dog if it does not obey your command.
This is the first major step. It is very important that everyone at work is also the alpha over your girl.
Now the second step is to make sure she is very obedient. Work with her for 10 minutes twice a day in a quiet secluded area where you can have her full attention. Start with the basic commands of sit, stay and come.
Now for dealing with her in the store. I think from now on until she learns she has to behave she needs to be on the lead at all times. This will keep her close to you and make it much easier for you to reprimand her when she misbehaving. The next time time she growls, snarls or does anything aggressive she needs to be reprimanded loudly and firmly. Use a loud GRRRRRRRR or AHHHHHHHHH at her. This will give her a fright and let her know what she is doing is not okay. At the same time i would also give her a yank on the lead and/or a squirt with a water pistol.
You need to be really consistent with her no matter when or where whe does it. Once she has been told off make her sit, if she responds then reward her with praise, attention and petting. This will help her get the idea that she is not the boss and you are.
I hope this helps and please let me know how things are going and if you are having any more success.
