Rebellious puppy...

[Rubylove]

Ruby is getting older and, according to Doberluv's post, starting to reach that age where she is going to rebel, forget her training etc etc.

The problem I have is that she doesn't view me as being alpha female of the family. She definitely has no problem with Max being the boss, she does everything he says. But she constantly pushes my buttons, is naughty and tries to test her boundaries all the time with me. It is a real power struggle at the moment and one I am afraid I might be losing.

I don't believe in yelling, hitting or intimidating (and neither does Max, by the way) but sometimes she only responds if you really startle her into it. I've never laid a hand on her but I have yelled at her - I think that is pointless and doesn't work, and I'm looking for some advice on how to get our little pack hierarchy in the right order.

Can anyone help?

 

[SummerRiot]

Who feeds her in the morning time??

Maybe if just you do everything with her for a bit, she'll understand that she has to listen to you as well, not just Max.

She'll understand eventually.. also what you could do to astablish dominance is take her and flip her over on her back gentley and keep her there until she stops struggling, then maybe make a gam eout of it.. because a dog being on their back is a submissive position.

 

[Babyblue5290]

Do you do NILIF? (Nothing In Life Is Free)

 

[Rubylove]

I'm the one who feeds her in the morning - I should have pointed out before that MOSTLY she is very good with me. I am the one who does the majority of her training and she learnt all of her basic commands from me.

She sits without hesitation for her food in the morning, and about say 7 times out of 10 she will do what she's told when I tell her.

It's mostly when she's inside at night and looking for some attention. If I take something she's not allowed to have off her she will jump and bite at me, and if she gets in trouble and gets pressed all the way down to the floor (which we will do if necessary) she ends up rolling over onto her back - which I see as a sign of submission - but then as soon as I take my hand away she jumps up and goes berserk for a few seconds and sort of launches at me.

However, if she's in a `mood' NOTHING will make her listen to me and I end up having to drag her outside (if I can catch her...lol) for time out.

Actually, I am a bit concerned about the jumping and biting thing when she has something taken off her. If I subsitute she won't but I want her to learn that if she can't have something she can't have it. Am I expecting too much too soon? She isn't even five months old yet and is mostly a very good puppy.

 

[Doberluv]

It sounds like she's just being a puppy. Please don't put her on her back. It is not good to put a dog on the defensive by forcing her into a vulnerable position. That is not the way to establish yourself as a good leader. Neither is yelling or getting emotional. Then she views you as insecure, not confident, out of control and this makes her feel that her leader is shaky and not taking care of things very well. What you're doing sounds great as far as working with her, obedience practice, using postive methods, feeding her, asking for a sit before she gets anything she likes etc. This is good....keep on doing it. If she's getting all berserk and can't settle, how much exercise is she getting. How about a good run outside before times when you want to relax and watch TV or something? She's not trying to bother you. She's just getting more confident and curious about the world and wants to try all kinds of new things. Just try to re-direct her energy into an activity that she likes but that is constructive. How about a stuffed Kong? Does she enjoy that?

As far as the biting and jumping, when she does that, give her NO reward...no attention at all, good or bad. Walk away or isolate her (if she's just wild) calmly for a couple of minutes in her crate, not as a punishment....just a calming down time and show her that you won't participate if she is doing that. First try giving her an alternate behavior. If she's about to jump up, ask for a sit and reward. If you don't catch it quickly enough and she jumps, ignore, walk away. Same with biting. When she bites, hand her a chew toy and walk away. When you can pat her and she's not biting, then give her praise. Be consistant and the second she bites/nips, end all playtime. Everyone has to do this in the family or whomever plays with her. It has to be instantaneous to make a connection. Show her the contrast and emphasise the praise for good behavior.

Anyhow, there are a few ideas. She's still very young and a goofy puppy. Just be consistant and patient and she'll grow up. (The patient part is easier said than done. LOL)

 

[ChocLabLover]

This is usually just a phase. When a puppy goes through this phase its like a teenager being rebelious. They seem to want to find themselves and test you out to see what your buttons are. Be firm but dont scoil the puppy. Patience is the key they will come around...