Jennifer asked:

So, This is my first dog, and from the get go I prepared EVERYTHING and read training books, etc. however living the actual thing is different. Obviously I’ve been doing things wrong, but I try my best and yes if I were to get another puppy I would have more experience. But the point now is that my dog is more dominant. He’s a 17lbs maltese/poodle mix and is indoor. I love him to death, which makes me give in at times. He loves jumping onto my bed to look out the window, but I was told that that meant he was dominant… but I have NO problem with him being on my bed. I like him there; however I want to be able to tell him to get off and him listen. I’ve taken him to dog training classes and he’s failed 2 times because he gets too exited with other dogs, since he doesnt socialize much with other dogs (which is why im begining to take him to dog parks every weekend) anyhow, My 2 main concerns that really frusterate me are these:

When i tell him NO or HEYYY (I dont yell I simply say it firm to let him know hes not supposed to do something) He’ll bark at me and wont stop until I look away, So my trainer told me to stare at him until he gives in then once he looks away he’ll understand that I’m being more dominant, but it hasnt been working instead he gets more angry and keeps barking and barking so annoying.

another thing that really frusterates me is that whenever Im going to leave somewhere I leave him in my room because I dont trust others that live in my house to accidently let him outside or he can eat something he’s not supposed to,,, etc. so I either crate him (in my room) or let him loose in my room (usually let him loose in my room, just when i have a mess i crate him so he wont destroy things) but when I call him to come into my room he doesnt want to! He runs away and there I am like an idiot trying to get him! It’s so annoying. I’ve tried luring him in with a treat, but it came to the point where he would rather not have the treat then go into the room. I’ve tried throwing the treat in my room and once he goes in I close the door, but He learned so now he’ll wait till I move away a little and run in really fast grab the treat and run back out!

please HELP,… how can i be the alpha!!!

oh one more thing. I know I dont excersize him AS much as I should. could this be part of the reason?? during the week ill wlak him only like 2 times, but daily he runs in the back yard at lease 2 hours….
one more thing i forgot to add.. what do I do when he barks at me… should I continue to stare at him!? or what?