[mamamia1]

I have a 12 week old female who is just coming into her "Senior Classification Stage" and is trying to figure out who's boss. She is doing quite well in many areas of training except the most important "NO BITING".

We got her at 8 1/2 weeks and have been working on this from day one along with putting our hands in her food, touching her feet etc. Last night was our first attempt with a special treat. We gave her a bone, petted her all over, touched her around the mouth. No problems. My husband, who has established himself as the "Alpha", tried to take the bone back. She growled a little, but her corrected her verbally and she immediately released. I did the same with no problem. We continued with this for a few minutes, holding the bone while she chewed, petting etc. All went well. Hind sight tells me that would have been a good point to stop the exercise.

I reached in one more time and got a full out growl, and she braced herself. I went in to correct and was bitten in the process. It all happened very quickly and ended with her submitting and the bone going in the garbage.

It is quite obvious to me that she does not see me as her alpha. I am regularly correcting her for mouthing. And she has started to ignore me when I tell her to release her toys. I am looking for other non-physical ways to establish "ALPHA".

I have a 5 year old daughter and in no uncertain terms will I allow this behavior.

P.S.: She starts classes tonight.