I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is incredibly devoted, a very good listener and quick learner. He is ideal dog as he is very eager to please. Cassie on other hand is most independent and stubborn dog I have ever encountered (you've probably seen worse). She used to only listen to commands when she wanted but I have put a stop to that. I have had numerous problems with her dominant tendencies but have come a long way. She now views me as alpha and only displays aggression when she is in pain -- specifically when I brush her. She has been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergy shots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I think I can work through this one with use of training collar.

ADAM INTERJECTS: It's very difficult to correct pain-response aggression. It's more of a reaction than anything else. Use muzzle and restrain dog when you need to give her shots. Other times (just so that she doesn't build a negative association to muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then give her a cookie. Do this at random times.

BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance aggression toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her first, give her treats first, pet her first but Peanut just doesn't seem to get it. He will walk through door before Cassie but after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I think he is trying to challenge her because playing time more recently has turned into fighting. It's more barking than anything -- to date there has been no blood. However, Cassie usually is on top of him, pinning him to ground, and he lets out this barking/yelping noise when she releases, he goes right after her again until I break it up.

She also displays same aggression toward cat. If cat comes into her "area" when she is comfortable in front of fire or if cat even walks by one of her bones she goes crazy. She'll chase cat away with growling and quickly running after her.

ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can correct this behavior. She will learn not to chase cat in house.

BETH CONTINUES: So here's big question. What do I do? Do I continue to treat Cassie as next in pack? Do I let them fight it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing cat? HELP!

Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Your book is great by way....

Regards, Beth

[Akeisha] Hi its Akeisha again. I do see what you mean if it is on all time dog will soon forget it is on and then will behave regardless. Ok, so dog never wears a buckle collar again? This is what irks me. I want to be able to control dog regardless of what collar is on not just pinch or it could be no collar at all and dog still behaves. What if owner for some reason takes off collar then they put buckle collar on for ID but then forget pinch collar? Then there is no control.

[Adam] WRONG! The dog gets conditioned. Take off collar for awhile. Doesn't matter.

[Akeisha] Do you ever in training go back to buckle collar after months of what you recommend with a dog that is happy with doing commands?

[ Adam: ] Yes, dog does command because he is happy and he likes it. But eventually, there will be something that tempts him. This is where conditioning comes in.

Think of it like this: You’ve lived in same house for 10 years, right? You get up in middle of night and you reach for light switch that is to LEFT of door. Pretty soon, you get conditioned to reach out to LEFT of door.

One day you travel and stay in a hotel. You wake up in middle of night and reach out to LEFT of door for switch... even though you cognitively saw that switch is on RIGHT.

In fact, you may wake up for several nights-- perhaps even weeks or months-- and still reach out to LEFT, even though switch is now on right. Some people will continue reaching to LEFT for rest of their lives. Some will begin reaching to right.

Those people need to be reinforced. Get it?

[Akeisha] Motivational corrections if on right dog won't frighten them or make them hate you I know but aren't there other ways except using collar that will eventually be established thought training that will allow you to take collar off and have control?