[kteigan]

Hello. My dog, Parker is a 5 month old mixed Beagle and Boarder Collie and he likes to sit on our feet. I have been reading that this does tend to be a dominant behavior and we move our feet out of the way when he does it. Another thing he does that I can't find help anywhere is he tends to lean or back up into my 4 year old when he's sitting on the floor. We try to correct it by pulling him off and getting him to sit beside my son but I don't think that it's enough because he keeps doing it. He used to sit on the baby (my 6 month old) when on the floor and we corrected that, just can't break the other behavior. Tips?

[Aurora_Bell]

The backing up is more then likely a herding need. Your dog has strong herding instincts and needs to be worked hard to keep him happy.

Another thing it could be is he his blocking your son. He could be trying to come in between you and your son, which he sees as a lower rank member of the family. Think of it like a jealous older child. A dog sitting ON a younger child is definitely a sign of disrespect and needs to be corrected immediately.

I am a big advocate for obedience classes, as this is a great way to establish yourself as alpha and the pack leader, it also helps your dog build confidence and he will be learning more commands. A dog that knows a lot of commands is a happy, relaxed dog.

Your dog sitting on your feet can mean one of two things, it can be a dominate behavior, but it can also be show of affection. Lower rank dogs in the wild often spend time rubbing up against, licking and grooming the alpha in the pack.

Something's you can do at home is, not let your dog on the furniture, if your son is on the floor, try and give him something higher up to be on, like a chair or kids couch. Also NEVER leave your dog and child unattended. There are just too many possibilities. Get your son to walk through doorways and up/down stairs in front of the dog. If they try and go ahead of him, you step in their way, or stop them.

And always, always make sure your son isn't around the dishes when your dog is eating. Hope this helps, if you need me to elaborate on anything, feel free to ask.

[kteigan]

Thank you for your quick response. We never leave the kids alone with the dogs and when the baby was on the floor with his tummy time, Parker would come and just sit on him, right in front of us. It was kind of a "look at me" attitude he had about it. We have corrected that issue but he still tries to sit on my 4 year old and we are trying to teach him to properly react to the situation as well. So I think you are right in assuming that it's dominate behavior. Parker is not allowed on the furniture but he tries desperately to get up on it at times and I have been looking into local obedience classes. Thank you for your suggestions.

[Whatever2011]

I hope than your baby wasn`t hurt or anything, but your dog is just playing rude for sitting on your 6 moth old and backing up on your 4 year old. I guess it`s just a way for him to show that he just want`s your attention and he doesn`t want to share your, and he is willing to try to get it anyway that he can, but I say that is the wrong approach. I will try to find some information on how you can change your dogs bad habit. Good luck :)