Where is your dog in your family hierarchy and why? - Page 1

After living with a dog in a family and observing the dog's interaction with each family member, I think it is possible to estimate the dog's position in the family hierarchy.
In our situation one GSD and a family of three ( self/ spouse/ teenage daughter ), I think our dog has kind of positioned itself at #2.
Teenage daughter cannot give our GSD any commands she will listen to and she plays very rough with my 85 lb teenage daughter who gets knocked over by the dog ( so she hardly plays with her ). She cannot take the dog for a walk because of the dog's physical strength,and strong aggressive response to anyone who comes close ( man, woman or child ).

Spouse: cannot walk dog for same reasons given why daughter cannot do it. Spouse can give limited commands indoors to which the dog responds. Dog is very rough in play and will bite under certain circumstances ( forcibly restrained, or forcibly removed from lying on certain places on bed ). Biting will be accompanied by growling sound if spouse persist.
Self : Can walk dog any time, always able to control dog's aggressive response, and can have the dog move from any place in any part of the house ( even against the dogs will )' will play roughly with me only if I choose. have hand fed this dog from a pup and still do.

Based on my observations I would say that the dog has positioned itself as #2 , but she is friendly to all and completely stable in the house.

Whats your experience?

I think you have just given us another example of an untrained dog.

My experience: dog does not choose his place he is told.

was not looking for criticism
everyone here is fine with our set up. was just telling about my observations.

 

What kind of dog do you have Western? ASL?

I like black and Bi's sorry to disappoint you

I  am glad your family is happy with the way things are.

For me as the Human and boss I would not be.

 

Western a dog that can be bossed a round by anyone..is not fun for me.

For me either but then I do not see the fun of a dog that will threaten a family member.

Hope you live longer than your dog or else your family will have to destroyer her if 

I think your family is stuck in the situation. Iv never met anyone that wants to be knocked around by a dog . Commands from any family members should always be respected by the dog.

I can understand a working dog kept in a kennel might be a problem in the house.

Then again I don't think its fair for a pure working dog to have to dual as a house pet. I am surprised police departments allow it, not smart IMHO.

My family hierarchy isn't a set on stone thing.

My wife takes all the decisions about all the minor things like my diet, my dress, my exercise, when I should get up or go to bed etc, but when it comes to MAJOR issues, like whether USA should invade North Korea type of things, my decision is final!

I have three dogs, two female & one male. Among themselves, the older female rules the inside of the house area while the younger one is the boss of the yard. The male is certainly below the two females inside our premises. But, when they are out for a walk, suddenly the male becomes the leader of the pack.

I'm above my dogs most of the time, except when I allow them. My wife is below the dogs most of the time, except when she cannot tolerate it any longer.

It gets more complicated when my two sons come home (every 3-6 months). They immediately take a position above my wife and my dogs, BUT below me.

Now, try to get the whole picture yourself, I have given up....

"

My wife takes all the decisions about all the minor things like my diet, my dress, my exercise, when I should get up or go to bed etc, "

Dude that's truly pathetic, are you joking??

 

And no you DONT get to make any decisions on north Korea etc, you the POTUS, I doubt it.