Lab/Border mix dominating

[mrwhite73]

Hello,
We have a 19 month old male black lab/border Collie mix. For the most part he is a great dog but he has some weird traits. For one, he has major separation anxiety when we leave. We've video taped him a few times while we are gone and he never really settles down. He paces and whimpers and then proceeds to go through the kitchen and the trash looking for things to get into. He has also taken to jumping on the kitchen table and laying there while we are gone.
The other problem is his tendency to bully other dogs. He starts out just wanting to run with them but pretty soon he is nipping at them, barking at them and sometimes sitting on them. He has even done this to a 4 week old puppy. He never gets in fights, he knows when to back down and be submissive to other dogs, but when he can, he wants to dominate and he will not pay attention to us.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks

[Mary]

hi! have you considered obedience training or sending him to obedience school? this may help you control his behavior specially when you take him out (it will be hard taking him on walks if he will bully and sit on other smaller puppies).

[Ashaari]

Hey,

It sounds a bit like you have a young, energetic dog on your hands.
First off...
I do not think you have a dog that is trying to domiate. Very few dogs are dominant and fewer still can handle to responsibility. The fact that your dog "knows when to back down" is a good sign that he is not being dominating. I think you just have a pup on your hands who had learnt that sometimes if he nips at your other dogs, which is a natural working act for a border, that they will get up and play with him.
Just remember that if the time comes where he does test the pack order make it clear which one of your dogs you back. Dont just yell at him, to the dog you are just barking with him, break it up and send the lower dog away whilst you praise the leader. This will tell your dogs who has you backing and it will put a stop to any further fights.

As for the seperation problems. How much exercise does he get? I only ask because going through the garbage sounds like a naughty behaviour, not one that is caused by anxiety. I sugest that maybe he needs more mental stimulation and maybe a bit of extra exercise. Get a bin with a lid for yourself and for him get one of those kongs that you can smear peanut butter into, or the ones you put treats in and it will keep him amused while you are out.
You said he whines when you leave the house. Dont be too worried about that. He is trying to tell you that he wants to come with you. He moves onto other things so he is not streassing too much. Try not making a big fuss of when you leave and when you get back. Go through the process of getting ready to leave and then staying so he gets used to the fact that it is not a big deal that you are going out without him.

If you need anything else let me know