Hi,

I have a male labrador who has just had his first birthday. He is a lovely natured dog but just lately i have noticed that when we have people over he won't listen to a thing that i say, my husband on the other hand he will wait for his every command.

During the day me and the dog are usually together, after playschool and school obviously the kids are back, he comes with me some of the time to take them to school etc and I would say that we are quite even with the amount of walks that both myself and hubby take him on. I am the one who feeds him his every meal and generally makes sure he is well looked after. My hubby works long hours and is usually out of the house from about 5.30am till 7pm.

When we are on walks he seems to listen to me better than with hubby but when we had friends round at the weekend I was so embarrassed and to be honest quite hurt that the little sod wouldn't listen to me (and the guests noticed, which hurt my pride aswell!!).

Sorry for the rant but I had to get it off my chest as i couldn't talk to my hubby about it as i didn't want to seem petty but why does he treat me like this? do you think he is trying to be dominate? He was castrated at 10months.

Any advice would be great, i have probably come across as very petty but I want to have the obedient dog in the house as he is for me when we are out.

thanks,

lauren.

Hi Lauren

I'm not sure why your dog does this but I do have my own theory. Our dog complies instantly to any command my OH gives and he does not feed or walk the dog at all but does play games with him. I feed, walk, groom, train etc and although he is really good for me his reactions will often be slower to my commands than that of my OH. I think it is the depth of voice that makes a difference -  OH has a fairly deep voice which carries while mine is softer and quieter. Just my thoughts on the matter but have  noticed it also happens when I walk our dog with a friend of the family and his dogs - friend has a really deep voice and when he recalls his dogs ours is there like a shot :D

My dog, and she is my dog, is fed, trained and walked by me.  I am the one at home with her and during the day she is my constant companion and follows me everywhere.  OH does walk her at weekends.  How annoyed do I feel then when during the evenings even if I call my dog, she will go to OH instead.  She seems to favour him over me.  She also favours my son over my daughters and my dad over my mum (despite all the sweet biscuits and cooked meat she brings).  Even though she makes a fuss of all of us, she does seem to prefer males to females.

Intersting point about the voice.  My own observation is that it has something to do with scent.  My dog wags her tail whenever we come within range of teenage boys even though she doesn't know them. 

personally I think it is all down to the tone of voice my OH dislikes it because our female dogs do what I say immediately ie: lie down said in my deepest tone (means go to your bed in disgrace) rather than the normal down :)
I feed toilet, walk, train, play with and show my 3 dogs myself he is there on days out and the odd dog walk with a bit of a cuddle in the evening .

You have to say it and mean it !! its  like dealing with a child see it through and make him leave the room or down or whatever you have asked him to do.

Your one year old puppy ..remembering he is still a puppy ...is at that teenager stage where he is pushing the bounderies you have to now go back to basics train him as you did when he was 12 wks old to get his attention back onto you with good rewards ...you have to be the most important thing in his eyes plenty of praise and treats when he is good ignore him when he is bad.
Have you tried practicing recall in the house at different times if he is in his bed or playing in the garden call him to you sit then treat have a word for release I say 'play' my dogs will always come to me when I call them as they know that thier is the possibility of a treat at the end of it .I carry treats in my pocket while in the house .
Dont worry you will suceed in getting the respect when he passes through this period in his life dont give up  ....

Roni

Could also be that your OH has a scarcity value, you are around most of the day while he is only available for few hours a day.
Chris

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I tend to agree with what you are saying about the tone of voice and also that OH isn't around that much.

I have been really quite strict with him and upped my training generally around the house and when we are out and about as I must admit that had slipped quite a bit. Thinking back to at the weekend when we had friends over i really took a back seat as he was responding so well to hubby whereas perhaps in hind sight I should have been firmer rather than giving him a half hearted command that he choose to ignore.

Hopefully he will mend his ways (LOL) and he will quickly go through this 'teenage stage'.

Thanks again.

lauren.

Hi CherylS

Many people laugh at this theory (not mine!) but I do believe there is some credance to it.  It is the old male/female thing!

Daughters go to Dad and sons to mothers, bitches to male members of the family, dogs to females.  Seen it too many times not to be a factor in where loyalties and obedience lies!!

If you want a dog that's loyal to you pick one of the opposite gender to yourself!