ME ME ME, I'm FIRST

[Mom2TwoYorkies]

Rhianna is becoming quite the little spoiled me me me personality. She's only been ours since December, . . In other words, she's a BULLY! Poor Brody everything he has, she wants . . .they play tug-o-war a lot! The new behavior she has is when we go for a walk. They each have their own leash, BUT, when we exit our house she has to be FIRST! As soon as the door opens she is running up ahead and turning back and chittering at poor Brody as if to say "stay back, ME ME ME, I'm FIRST!" If he even attempts to pass her out, she freaks out . . .

It was funny at first, but its getting to be a constant on our walks . . .only until we get down to the sidewalk, then she's fine . . .its just the race from the back deck to the bottom of the driveway that she does this . . .

Any advice? I love to walk them together, but she truly is a BULLY!

[KYsweetheart]

I don't have any other dogs but I am sure if I did Ally would be like that!

[JoeyP]

I know this smacks at your sense of fairness but she's only doing what embedded into her brain

WHENEVER two dogs get together they have to sort out who is the dominant dog
This Dog will be the one to walk first eat first and smell first
She's not being "selfish" she's being dominant

[TeresaM]

Originally Posted by Mom2TwoYorkies

Rhianna is becoming quite the little spoiled me me me personality. She's only been ours since December, . . In other words, she's a BULLY! Poor Brody everything he has, she wants . . .they play tug-o-war a lot! The new behavior she has is when we go for a walk. They each have their own leash, BUT, when we exit our house she has to be FIRST! As soon as the door opens she is running up ahead and turning back and chittering at poor Brody as if to say "stay back, ME ME ME, I'm FIRST!" If he even attempts to pass her out, she freaks out . . .

It was funny at first, but its getting to be a constant on our walks . . .only until we get down to the sidewalk, then she's fine . . .its just the race from the back deck to the bottom of the driveway that she does this . . .

Any advice? I love to walk them together, but she truly is a BULLY!

They can be such bullies sometimes, can't they. But the walking thing is an easy fix. Just takes a little bit of time and committment on your part.

First YOU are always the first one out the door. Then YOU decide who's going to come out next and they should always be either beside or slightly behind you when you walk. YOU are the pack leader and decide who gets to do what. This was something we had to work hard with Boo on. He'd bolt out the door and nearly pull your arm out of the socket. It took a few days of maybe an hour training session before he really got it. He has to wait to be invited to come thru the door.

[lgoodall]

I have only one Yorkie, but the "Dog Whisperer" Caesar Milan would say you need to be the leader of the pack. I've never had to try it. You might pick up one of his books. Always works on his TV show.
Tucker's Mom