| Re: Attack? or Play???
Thanks for clarifying Rossi2007! We would have to know more about the incident and previous behaviors to really evaluate what occurred. For example, what is her usual demeanor when she is patrolling the fence and barking? Is it a "I'm free! I'm free! and I want the world to know it!" romp or a defensive "I'm out here and I will MESS up anyone who bothers me!"?
If your partner cuddles and treats her like a baby, she may have thought that she had the right to take what your partner had in her hand and brought to her mouth - we know it was a cigarette, dog might have thought it must be something to eat - and the bite was either a function of trying to grab the object and missing it, getting your partner or in response to not getting it.
In any case, Rossi did not know that "No!" meant that what she had done was wrong, just that you were angry/upset and that it was directed at her. |