Who is "the boss"? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Kimchi and Kitt · 06-13-2011, 06:34 PM

Who is the "alpha" parent in your home, or are you both equal?

Both my pups are very young, but they listen too me, about getting in bed, or "going quickly (potty)" down, stop, all of that. But my husband is in the army and works long days, and sometimes is gone overnight for days at a time, and the puppies think he is all fun and games! They love when he gets home and love playing with him! But when it comes to taking commands from him they are not good. He uses a firm, stern voice but they just go on playing. When He is home I always have him try to be in charge but they just aren't having it.

Is it like this in your home? Who is the alpha parent?

ArmaniMan · 06-13-2011, 06:40 PM

We are still searching for an alpha parent here- I am the only human in the house and they don't listen to me- ha!

Britster · 06-13-2011, 06:43 PM

We are a team

Nobody is alpha or in charge. I'm more like a parent and a friend.
Though he is, of course, spoiled rotten

Kimchi and Kitt · 06-13-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

We are a team

Nobody is alpha or in charge. I'm more like a parent and a friend.
Though he is, of course, spoiled rotten

This is how I want it to be, more like a team! I think they just aren't use to him yet, they only get about 4 hours a day with him =/

Taryn0405 · 06-13-2011, 07:11 PM

I don't think we see it as "alpha" it's more like a pecking order...

I'm Momma = comfort, cuddles, and security.

My husband = play, fun, and goofy time.

We all have our places.

horsnaround · 06-13-2011, 07:17 PM

hmmm i think the dogs control our home
they have us well trained

Lovetodream88 · 06-13-2011, 07:32 PM

I am the only parent Callie has but we live with my grandparents and I am stricker then them but we all spoil her

Ellie May · 06-13-2011, 07:38 PM

She tries to get away with stuff constantly.

Ultimately she does know that people are over here, period. It's a constant struggle, but she isn't allowed to do some things and will not get her way when she wants to do those things.

Princess10 · 06-13-2011, 07:53 PM

It's just 14y.o. DD & me and Princess comes to me for any needs, wants or rewards. She'll cuddle & play with DD but that's about it for the most part. Princess does not take my DD seriously at all if she tries to discipline her, tho she will sit, shake, etc. for her.
As long as she listens to me when it counts it's fine. Our biggest issue is Princess trying to "force" me to play 24/7, that's the only time I really notice her trying to have the upper hand.

BLADE · 06-13-2011, 09:35 PM

In our house DH is the alpha. If I grab Kimbo's harness and say, "Wanna go for a walk?", he immediately looks at DH for the go ahead. If I say, "Hey Kimbo, want a treat?", he runs over to DH to get his approval.

By every account, I'm Kimbo's favorite human alive. He's stuck to me like glue 24-7. We can't imagine why he feels he needs DH's permission for everything, but it's the funniest thing to watch. He looks like a kid who wants to go the carnival SOOO bad, but has to beg dad first. He quivers with excitement!

Of course, he always gets his way.

Mom to Hot Rod · 06-13-2011, 10:48 PM

I'm definitely the alpha since I do the feeding. I do most of the walks also. Hubby is next although he may have to repeat commands but ultimately they listen to him.

Hot Rod tests the waters ever so often but we do the waiting game and ultimately he will come to me. It's so funny, he will take his sweet time and stretch at least 2x and yawn and itch himself with his hind leg, lol He can make a 5 minute walk out of 5 feet. lol

Maggie May is such a good girl, she just bounces right over when called. She is very submissive and tends to be a follower.

J_is_my_initial · 06-13-2011, 10:55 PM

They mind dh faster than they will me. I am the cuddler and love all kisses. Dh is the one they mind almost immediately. Same as when my dtr was growing up. She always listened to him more than me.

Teresa Ford · 06-14-2011, 07:17 AM

( Me ) Mama is the boss for the Yorkies. Daddy is the boss for Lily our Lab.

yavenay · 06-14-2011, 07:29 AM

I will have to say the cat is the boss in my house. Brandi and Zoey do have their little squabbles but the cat Zoey definitely is the boss. But that's only because I've had for 12 years. She doesn't listen to me, she only wants to be petted when she's ready....anyone who has a cat knows what i am talking about.

Now Brandi for the most part knows her role in the house. She knows I am the boss but she will still challenged the cat from time to time at which point the cat just gives her a little love tap and everything goes back to normal.

horsnaround · 06-14-2011, 08:14 AM

i would have to say really they listen to me as i am home all the time with them.
and when dh is here they snuggle and get way to many treats. They love seeing him as they know when he eats they will get something. ( i know they should not get people food but we try to give them just meats) and how can you say no to such cute faces.

06-13-2011, 06:34 PM	#1
Kimchi and Kitt Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seoul, Republic of Korea Posts: 111	Who is "the boss"? Who is the "alpha" parent in your home, or are you both equal? Both my pups are very young, but they listen too me, about getting in bed, or "going quickly (potty)" down, stop, all of that. But my husband is in the army and works long days, and sometimes is gone overnight for days at a time, and the puppies think he is all fun and games! They love when he gets home and love playing with him! But when it comes to taking commands from him they are not good. He uses a firm, stern voice but they just go on playing. When He is home I always have him try to be in charge but they just aren't having it. Is it like this in your home? Who is the alpha parent?

06-13-2011, 06:40 PM	#2
ArmaniMan I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,895	We are still searching for an alpha parent here- I am the only human in the house and they don't listen to me- ha! __________________ Armani & Chloe

06-13-2011, 06:43 PM	#3
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	We are a team Nobody is alpha or in charge. I'm more like a parent and a friend. Though he is, of course, spoiled rotten __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

06-13-2011, 07:11 PM	#5
Taryn0405 Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State! Posts: 3,706	I don't think we see it as "alpha" it's more like a pecking order... I'm Momma = comfort, cuddles, and security. My husband = play, fun, and goofy time. We all have our places. __________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

06-13-2011, 07:17 PM	#6
horsnaround ♥Trained by my pups♥ Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: with my yorkies Posts: 11,726 Blog Entries: 1	hmmm i think the dogs control our home they have us well trained __________________ loving life with my furry friends

06-13-2011, 07:32 PM	#7
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,248	I am the only parent Callie has but we live with my grandparents and I am stricker then them but we all spoil her __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

06-13-2011, 07:38 PM	#8
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	She tries to get away with stuff constantly. Ultimately she does know that people are over here, period. It's a constant struggle, but she isn't allowed to do some things and will not get her way when she wants to do those things. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

06-13-2011, 07:53 PM	#9
Princess10 Banning Queen Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Home of the Kalamazoo Wings, MI. Posts: 3,122	It's just 14y.o. DD & me and Princess comes to me for any needs, wants or rewards. She'll cuddle & play with DD but that's about it for the most part. Princess does not take my DD seriously at all if she tries to discipline her, tho she will sit, shake, etc. for her. As long as she listens to me when it counts it's fine. Our biggest issue is Princess trying to "force" me to play 24/7, that's the only time I really notice her trying to have the upper hand. __________________ For The Night Is Dark & Full Of Terriers

06-13-2011, 09:35 PM	#10
BLADE YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 251	In our house DH is the alpha. If I grab Kimbo's harness and say, "Wanna go for a walk?", he immediately looks at DH for the go ahead. If I say, "Hey Kimbo, want a treat?", he runs over to DH to get his approval. By every account, I'm Kimbo's favorite human alive. He's stuck to me like glue 24-7. We can't imagine why he feels he needs DH's permission for everything, but it's the funniest thing to watch. He looks like a kid who wants to go the carnival SOOO bad, but has to beg dad first. He quivers with excitement! Of course, he always gets his way. __________________ Team Kimbo

06-13-2011, 10:48 PM	#11
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	I'm definitely the alpha since I do the feeding. I do most of the walks also. Hubby is next although he may have to repeat commands but ultimately they listen to him. Hot Rod tests the waters ever so often but we do the waiting game and ultimately he will come to me. It's so funny, he will take his sweet time and stretch at least 2x and yawn and itch himself with his hind leg, lol He can make a 5 minute walk out of 5 feet. lol Maggie May is such a good girl, she just bounces right over when called. She is very submissive and tends to be a follower. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

06-13-2011, 10:55 PM	#12
J_is_my_initial YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Knoxville,Tennessee Posts: 3,073	They mind dh faster than they will me. I am the cuddler and love all kisses. Dh is the one they mind almost immediately. Same as when my dtr was growing up. She always listened to him more than me. __________________ PAWPRINTS AND DOG HAIR ENHANCE MY PERSONAL STYLE.

06-14-2011, 07:17 AM	#13
Teresa Ford Therapy Yorkies Work Donating Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, Florida Posts: 3,863	( Me ) Mama is the boss for the Yorkies. Daddy is the boss for Lily our Lab.

06-14-2011, 07:29 AM	#14
yavenay Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 2,663	I will have to say the cat is the boss in my house. Brandi and Zoey do have their little squabbles but the cat Zoey definitely is the boss. But that's only because I've had for 12 years. She doesn't listen to me, she only wants to be petted when she's ready....anyone who has a cat knows what i am talking about. Now Brandi for the most part knows her role in the house. She knows I am the boss but she will still challenged the cat from time to time at which point the cat just gives her a little love tap and everything goes back to normal.

06-14-2011, 08:14 AM	#15
horsnaround ♥Trained by my pups♥ Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: with my yorkies Posts: 11,726 Blog Entries: 1	i would have to say really they listen to me as i am home all the time with them. and when dh is here they snuggle and get way to many treats. They love seeing him as they know when he eats they will get something. ( i know they should not get people food but we try to give them just meats) and how can you say no to such cute faces. __________________ loving life with my furry friends