Being the Alpha male?

[CharliesServant]

My partners previous boxer was a girl and even though she had been very mistreated by her previous owner and had many issues at first he managed to turn her around and never had any issues being the Master and Alpha male in the house and getting her to behave in certain situations. She trully was a wonderful gently dog.

Our new pup however is a boy so im wondering if maybe there are certain things that should be done, or not done, by my other half right from the start so that we dont end up by behaviour issues with dominance and Charlie trying to be the Alpha in the house when really my OH is. Are there any links on this available? Any advice? Views?

Id apreciate it as he arrives saturday and it would give us time to prepare ahead.

[Erin251]

i was always told that females were always the alpha dogs in the pack, but that doesnt mean males wont try to be top dog. as long as you make sure he knows from the begining that you are the boss, along with simple little things like he has to eat after you(even if you have to fake it) and he does not sleep at the same level as you(like on your bed)you should be ok.

[AussieGirl]

I would go to puppy preschool and seek out an obedience class to take him to hen he has had all his shots, it will be well worth the time and money. We actually had a Boxer mix in my Cavs puppy class and he was the rowdiest of the lot - made me laugh and think of Rub as a pup lol. I am a believer of people eat first, people enter/leave through a door first, dogs sleep on their own beds, people lead the way when walking, dogs must earn EVERYTHING (eg must sit/drop for a pat/to be fed/let in or out etc) as I believe these things show them their role in the house. I have actually heard that boys are snugglier and girls are bossier but I have only ever had a girl so ????

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by AussieGirl

I would go to puppy preschool and seek out an obedience class to take him to hen he has had all his shots, it will be well worth the time and money.

[CharliesServant]

Im going to take the pup to my local vet (suposably very good) for a weigh in and general check in the next few days and will then have a word with them about any obedience classes in the area. It complicates matters a bit that im disabled and my legs are a bit dodgy (on crutches a lot of the time) so I really need to have a dog that is under control all the times, specially when hes with me on walks or the like.

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by CharliesServant

Im going to take the pup to my local vet (suposably very good) for a weigh in and general check in the next few days and will then have a word with them about any obedience classes in the area. It complicates matters a bit that im disabled and my legs are a bit dodgy (on crutches a lot of the time) so I really need to have a dog that is under control all the times, specially when hes with me on walks or the like.

This is all the more reason to take them to obedience.

[CharliesServant]

Will do, thank you for the advice!