[Cielomgo]

Hello! I have a boxer-pit mix just over a year. We got her from the shelter when she was about 4 months old. We take her out to parks as well as the dog parks to get her use to people and dogs. Now we allowed her to seat on the couch with us. Sometimes when I'm seating on our chair she jumps up and seats with me. A few weeks ago I tried to move her legs so I can have more room and she snapped at me. I was surprise because she has never done anything like that. I stepped on her tail on accident before and there was no reaction from her. Si I didn't do anything. Tonight again she was with me in the sofa, and once again I tried to move her legs and she snapped at me twice! This time my boyfriend was in the room and he got upset and kicked get off the sofa and the room. What should I do if she does it again? Is this aggression? Should I not allow her in the sofa anymore?

[Lucky098]

If she is snapping at you, than I would definitely not allow her on the couch.

A lot of trainers have different views of dogs sitting on couches and sleeping in beds with their owners. They claim that it confuses the dog on who is and isn't in charge. Dog packs only have two leaders... Alpha male and female and below that is beta. You as the person never want to be beta. Beta is a "leader" just not THE leader. And in this pack, alpha gets to sleep in the better places (human beds) and sit where they want (couches and chairs). And when someone wants to sit next to them, or move them, they dog will warn saying "hey, that's not your place to tell me to move over and you're not welcomed here".

I would advise to not allow her on couches and such just because it is causing an issue. Eliminating the war zone will make it better for you.

As far as the theory I described above, I think some dogs may act like that, especially if the owner isn't a strong personality that is matched with a dog who does have a strong personality. You're dog is basically picking up where he sees there is a lack of leadership. Someone needs to be in charge and you are not portraying that leadership that the dog feels this "pack" needs.

Now don't freak yourself out and think that your dog is going to eat you alive in the middle of the night. Alpha dogs are, for the most part, not vicious. They just act like dogs, and in the dog world, punishment is with teeth and growling.

How to overcome this? Obedience. Make your dog work for everything. He has to sit for his food, to go outside, to have a leash put on, for any type of treat or petting. The down command will probably be a very hard concept for your dog because down is an act of submission. If he goes down right now on command, it's probably because he is just putting up with you. Once he gets tired or bored, it could get difficult. But find a good obedience class.. One that is familure with behavior.

Another thing... Go buy a greyhound cage muzzle... And touch your dog. Pick up his feet, grab his skin, play with his ears. Roll him on his side/back and just mess with him. You don't ever want a dog that you can't handle at any given point. And I suggest muzzle him to keep yourself safe.

Hope I helped :-)