Oh no .. I think my dog ​​is showing signs of dominance!

[Acejin]

Hi,

I have a six months old gsd and I'm afraid he shows serious signs of dominance towards other dogs.
Ever since I can remember him at three months old playing with other dogs, He always tried to puts his front paws on the other dogs back but I never took this seriously because he was just a little puppy and I didn`t know they can show early signs of dominance at that age.
My dog usually plays with other dogs in his age that still considered as puppies so maybe they more submissive and don`t react to his behavior.
Well, Today my dog was playing with my neighbor's adult Ridgeback (7 years old, not nurtured) that twice the size of my dog, At first my dog ​​gave him respect but after a few minutes of playing he puts his front paws on the dog back, The highlight was that he tried to humping the big dog - At this point I was scared and just moved my dog ​​away, It was the first time he did it.

With all his dominance behavior towards the other dog, He played and follow him for almost 40 minutes, Sometimes it seemed he was trying to even annoy him.

My dog was playing with more than ten different dogs and never reached a state of fight. I must say my dog is very submissive to people, Does that make sense he`s submissive to people but showing dominance to dogs?

I`m afraid that he could ran into a dominant dog and it will be chaos!
What can I do to lower his dominance before it's too late?

I'd really appreciate your advice,
Thanks!

[Emoore]

Yes it's possible for him to be dominant to dogs and submissive to people. Dogs have been bred for 10,000 to 100,000 years (depending on who you believe) to be submissive to people.

It's possible he still has "puppy license" but it's about to run out. An older, bigger dog is going to nail him and there's going to be a serious fight if you don't correct him.

If this were my dog I'd put a prong collar on him with a short leash and when he started trying to hump or dominate the other dog, give a collar correction. Also Id probably snarl a little.

[Acejin]

Actually I bought him two days ago a prong collar to teach him heal, but I was going to use the collar only when he reaches the age of eight months because I read its not a good thing to use correction at early age, Is it true or my case is different?

Thank You!

[MaggieRoseLee]

Acejin.... go to dog classes to learn the best and fastest way to get your pup to 'heel'

SO much easier and fun in class!

[BlackPuppy]

If any of my dogs mounts another, I take him off by the collar and say, "no". Repeat as necessary. If he won't stop, take him home. No play time. He will get the message.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Acejin

Actually I bought him two days ago a prong collar to teach him heal, but I was going to use the collar only when he reaches the age of eight months because I read its not a good thing to use correction at early age, Is it true or my case is different?

Thank You!

When my older dog wanted to discipline the puppy for some reason, he'd grab his neck in his mouth, apply a little pressure, and snarl. My mouth doesn't fit around the puppy's neck, but I do the same thing with the prong. I can't tell you if what I'd do is right or wrong, it's just what I'd do.

[Germanshepherdlova]

I think he is a little young to use the prong. I didn't use one on my dogs till they were about 10 months old. Ask your vet though.

[PaddyD]

This sounds like a little early to over-react. He humped once and put his paw on another dog. Not a big deal until it becomes a repeated 'offense'. Wait and see. Usually if a dog is humped by another it lets the 'humper' know it isn't wanted.

[chelle]

Originally Posted by Acejin

Hi,

I have a six months old gsd and I'm afraid he shows serious signs of dominance towards other dogs.
Ever since I can remember him at three months old playing with other dogs, He always tried to puts his front paws on the other dogs back but I never took this seriously because he was just a little puppy and I didn`t know they can show early signs of dominance at that age.
My dog usually plays with other dogs in his age that still considered as puppies so maybe they more submissive and don`t react to his behavior.
Well, Today my dog was playing with my neighbor's adult Ridgeback (7 years old, not nurtured) that twice the size of my dog, At first my dog ​​gave him respect but after a few minutes of playing he puts his front paws on the dog back, The highlight was that he tried to humping the big dog - At this point I was scared and just moved my dog ​​away, It was the first time he did it.

With all his dominance behavior towards the other dog, He played and follow him for almost 40 minutes, Sometimes it seemed he was trying to even annoy him.

My dog was playing with more than ten different dogs and never reached a state of fight. I must say my dog is very submissive to people, Does that make sense he`s submissive to people but showing dominance to dogs?

I`m afraid that he could ran into a dominant dog and it will be chaos!
What can I do to lower his dominance before it's too late?

I'd really appreciate your advice,
Thanks!

Human aggression and dog aggression are totally separate issues.

Shut your dog down with the posturing and humping. Don't be afraid, as you said you were. Just make it stop, asap. You're smart to be concerned about him running into a dog that does NOT appreciate humping. Humping can be a precursor to dog fights. If he attempts to posture over and/or hump some dogs, the other dog could easily attack in response.

Be very proactive here. As soon as he does it, or he is posturing *as though* he is preparing to do it, stop him. Be very firm! So far, my pup hasn't done either, but plenty have attempted to do so with him. I find my knee quite helpful in this regard, since the owners are usually giggling about it, as though it is amusing. I do not hurt their dogs, but if they won't control it, I will step in with a firm NO or BACK and a knee to physically get their attention. I just sort of knock them out of the way, using my knee/body/thigh - but it is not a kick - not abusive in any way. Do not use your hands, though. Your body and voice only. Don't let this behavior continue; it may soon get out of your control.