2 year old female - Behavior Issues - Looking for advice

[ElsasFamily]

I've notice a few changes in Elsa's personality since February. I'm not sure if the changes are linked to teenage issues, or spring fever.

Just a bit of background about Elsa. She will be two on April 27th. I've had her since she was 10weeks old. We are in our third set of OB classes two were at PetsMart and this new one is with Dullas Gateway Obedience; I'm hoping this will help both of us. I take her for a two mile walk 4 days a week and a longer hike on Sundays. She gets a good amount of exercise, and has access to the fenced backyard to play when she likes. I continue with obedience work at home about 5 or 10minutes everyday too. I am home with her most of the day.

Yesterday morning she followed my husband down into our rec room and pooped on the carpet. She had just come in from the back yard, and her stools weren’t loose. She hasn’t gone in the house since she was a puppy.

Then later in the afternoon as I was leaving I didn’t shut the garage door all the way and the wind blew it open. She came trotting out to me happily and tried to get into the truck. I told her no and went to lead her back inside and she protested by putting her mouth on me and biting down hard. She didn’t break the skin but did leave a dent. She was immediately put into a down and corrected.

The other night she wouldn’t sleep in the family room like she normally does. She kept whining. I gave in and let her sleep upstairs, because I didn’t want her to wake all the kids up and I thought maybe she wasn't feeling well or was scared.

It seems like she is having a second puppy hood or maybe teenage years, spring fever or maybe hormonal changes from her being spayed. Any ideas?

Thanks for any advice you have.
~Kim

[Carol Burke]

Sounds like you are doing everything right. This may just be a little stage she is going through. Do not let her get away with putting her teeth on you ever. You might want to have your vet take a look at her to rule out any health issues. Continue with the obedience, she should work through this in a short while.

[SadiesDad]

I agree with Carol, make sure nothing healthwise is going on. The correction seems appropriate, nip that in the butt. The whinning thing, I wouldn't give in. If that's her normal spot, then she should sleep there. At 2 my last Rott, a female did the same things, but I stayed consistent and didn't let up. I plan to do the same with Sadie. They test everything, if there's a way to move up in the pack order, they'll try it. JMHO. Good luck.

[Bruce Lanthier]

I agree completely with Carol. I would suspect that it is a stage and, due to all of the very good work you do with her, the stage is what I would consider a good one although with some bratty episodes. It sounds like her confidence is really beginning to blossom and that is very good. As long as you keep up your good work with her, the confidence will continue to grow but she will not become overbearing or bully. I think you handled the "bite" very well.

[gnwhite]

I agree with the other posts. You are doing everything right. And sounds like she is testing you. Keep up the good work with her......and make her continue to earn everything she gets. and as already mentioned don't give in to her whinning.

Something as simple as letting her have her way on the sleeping quarters is a victory for her....and she will push her way into trying to get away with more and more little by little.

Stay firm and fair.....stand your ground on your rules. consistency on the house rules... everyday is what will keep her in check.

You have done a great job with her.....but she will continue to test you "like kids do" everyday. Give an inch they take a mile"

One suggestion thou....if she sleeps in another room, from where you sleep....play some soft music, with no talking. strickly instrumental. It may sound silly....but believe me it works in keeping you dog calm, happy, and sleeps better when you not around.. Hince they never know if your at home or gone.

Hope I helped some....
~norma

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by ElsasFamily

...I told her no and went to lead her back inside and she protested by putting her mouth on me and biting down hard. She didn’t break the skin but did leave a dent. She was immediately put into a down and corrected.

No dog puts his or her mouth on me, and bites "down hard," and gets away with being put into a down and then corrected. I skip straight to the correction. A very very hard correction. I don't believe in futzing around.

Originally Posted by ElsasFamily

...The other night she wouldn’t sleep in the family room like she normally does. She kept whining. I gave in and let her sleep upstairs, because I didn’t want her to wake all the kids up and I thought maybe she wasn't feeling well or was scared.

Phooey on her being "scared." I doubt she was. Dogs who don't feel well usually mope; if they whine because they're in pain, that's a different story.

Put that dog into a crate and tell her to be quiet.

I think racheting up the NILIF is in order.

[ElsasFamily]

Thank you all for your time and suggestions. We are in class tonight I'm looking forward to it.

Carol-
If these abnormal behaviors continue I'll take her in next week for an exam. I think she's feeling okay, and she just needs an attitude adjustment.

Bruce-
I hadn’t thought about her confidence building up...and it being a good thing. Thanks for bringing that up. Maybe she is ready for something more challenging training and work wise.

Norma-
I'll try the music tonight. She does like to be with humans and her pack so that might soothe her.

[mrs1885]

You aren't by any chance packing a house to move are you? Roxy has been this way the last few days. I have contributed it to the changes in the house though. I have been easy on her - maybe I should tighten the reins....

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

No dog puts his or her mouth on me, and bites "down hard," and gets away with being put into a down and then corrected. I skip straight to the correction. A very very hard correction. I don't believe in futzing around.


Phooey on her being "scared." I doubt she was. Dogs who don't feel well usually mope; if they whine because they're in pain, that's a different story.

Put that dog into a crate and tell her to be quiet.

I think racheting up the NILIF is in order.

Yup, I agree with this... if you are sending her mixed signals - "sleep where I tell you" - she protests, and you give in.... you are essentially lying to your dog by not saying what you mean, and meaning what you say.

I think your girl is deciding she wants to make the decisions since you won't stick with them.

Obedience, obedience, obedience. Take a look at how you are handling all aspects of her life - are you consistent?

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by gnwhite

.....but she will continue to test you "like kids do" everyday....

I can't say that I agree with this statement completely. Possibly, if you have a rescue dog whose past you know nothing of.

But if a dog you've raised from puppyhood is testing you EVERYDAY, there is a bigger problem going on. Dogs and children are completely different and cannot be compared in this situation.

Dogs know immediately (or find out pretty quick) who they should respect as their leader. A secure, sound tempermented dog should not always be disrespecting its owner if the relationship is correct. If the dog is constantly challenging its owner, it is because it can.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by SonnyRott

I can't say that I agree with this statement completely. Possibly, if you have a rescue dog whose past you know nothing of.

How much experience do you have with rescue dogs?

In my years of involvement with Rottie rescue, I have not found this to be true. Sure, many of our foster boys stroll into our home thinking thoughts I quickly put out of their heads, but in 7 years of fostering one male after another, none of the boys constantly challenged me.

And neither did they do so to their owners once they went to their forever homes. Periodically they all tried, in one fashion or the other, to push back, but it wasn't constant, it wasn't every day.

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

How much experience do you have with rescue dogs?

In my years of involvement with Rottie rescue, I have not found this to be true. Sure, many of our foster boys stroll into our home thinking thoughts I quickly put out of their heads, but in 7 years of fostering one male after another, none of the boys constantly challenged me.

And neither did they do so to their owners once they went to their forever homes. Periodically they all tried, in one fashion or the other, to push back, but it wasn't constant, it wasn't every day.

AWESOME!!!!!

I was giving the person I quoted the benefit of the doubt. You obviously have more experience in rescue than I do and you solidified my statment that if a dog is challenging you "everyday" there is a bigger problem going on!

[ElsasFamily]

Originally Posted by poohbearsmom

Obedience, obedience, obedience. Take a look at how you are handling all aspects of her life - are you consistent?

Thanks for checking in on this thread, I was hoping to get your opinion.

Honestly, I am NOT consistent with everything I do in her life. The lack of consistency is a flaw in my personality. When I'm rushed or stressed I do tend to slack off. It could be a simple thing like not telling her to wait to go down the steps, or asking her to sit after I've filled her water bowl. Thanks for bringing this to my attention; I'll be more diligent with every day issues.

Could someone please explain a harsh correction in detail to me? I thought that a verbal tongue lashing was a correction. She is a soft dog, with a harsh look she will submit.

[dmoniz]

You only want to be as harsh as you need to be to discourage/stop the behavior. This depends on how much the dog enjoys doing what they are doing. It doesn't matter to my beagle how harsh the correction is she will still get into the cat litter box, therefore she is not allowed near them at all. If I growl "no" to Logan for not listening he will not likely not listen again, unless there is something way more interesting and then he may need a leash correction as a back up.

The main thing is that you don't want to nag (under correct) and you don't want to send them into avoidance (over correct). Where that perfect correction lies depends on the dog, the situation and the infraction.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by ElsasFamily

Thanks for checking in on this thread, I was hoping to get your opinion.

Honestly, I am NOT consistent with everything I do in her life. The lack of consistency is a flaw in my personality. When I'm rushed or stressed I do tend to slack off. It could be a simple thing like not telling her to wait to go down the steps, or asking her to sit after I've filled her water bowl. Thanks for bringing this to my attention; I'll be more diligent with every day issues.

Could someone please explain a harsh correction in detail to me? I thought that a verbal tongue lashing was a correction. She is a soft dog, with a harsh look she will submit.

A verbal tongue lashing really only has meaning if there was a 'primary reinforcer' to that tongue lashing. You have a soft dog, so a quick physical correction (collar correction) should suffice to get her attention. As well, since she is soft to you, it shouldn't take much for her to feel like the heavens are raining down on her. After the correction, life as usual, and get on with business.

With my 'handler soft' boy, it only takes one correction to extinguish a party foul like the one you've described.

Day to day is the important part of your relationship with your dog (as it is with everyone). You spend more time with your dog living than you do training. So, in essence, life is training. Since life is ongoing, so should life training be with your dog. They do eventually reach an age where they start riding with the auto pilot on, but refreshers are necessary for every dog.

This is where many people screw things up... they get lax once the dog is behaving relatively nicely, and the dog will kindly step up to bat when clear leadership is not consistant. Doesn't mean we treat our dogs like robots, simply means we need to pay more attention to the little details in life.

Hope this helps.