Sassy back talk

[catrine01]

My 16 week old girl, Gabi, is talking back it seems. That is, when I try to correct her with touch/talk (never hitting), she backs up and leans down on two front legs with rear in air and barks in a playful tone. Its not her snarly growly bark that she does when there is a strange noise or somebody is knocking at the door. Its higher pitch, but I'm not sure how to interpret it. I think my 20 something yo son is playing too rough with her and that is where she learned it. It is new behavior. I have asked him to stop all roughhousing; that has been the rule from day one, but you know how kids are.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how did you handle?

Thanks for replies.

[KatarinasMom]

My now almost 10 mo. old started doing this a few months ago. She only does it to my hubby, and coincidentally he is the only one that roughhouses with her (you know how "kids" can be ). We've tried everything we can think of from just telling her "no", making her sit/lay down (which she will continue to bark even from a belly-up position) and now we are trying ignoring her. We thought the "ignoring her theory" was starting to work until yesterday..... when she couldn't get a reaction out of my husband she promptly left the room and came back with his favorite baseball cap in her mouth

Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom for you. I'm anxious to see what kind of advice you receive from the more experienced rottie owners here

[amontague]

Originally Posted by catrine01

My 16 week old girl, Gabi, is talking back it seems. That is, when I try to correct her with touch/talk (never hitting), she backs up and leans down on two front legs with rear in air and barks in a playful tone.

Someone else may know more than I, but the position you describe sounds like a "play bow." With or without a bark, this body posture is a canine's way of saying "I want to play." My dog usually does this posture to other dogs when he wants to play with them, and if they do it back, it means the dog is accepting the invitation to play. I occasionally assume this position for my dog, and he goes nuts because he recognizes that I'm inviting him to play with me.

If this really is a play bow that Gabi is doing for you, she may be trying to redirect your correction into a game. You might try stopping her by clipping on a leash and doing some obedience exercises, right then and there. Make it clear to her that you decide when it's time to play, and when it's not.

[catrine01]

How clever they can be . . . even at this young age!! She is trying to redirect me vs me redirecting her!!

[Teej]

Its Play time !!!!!!!!!! :0

[tangosmama]

I have a 11 month old female, she came to live with Tango my 3 year old rottie at 8 weeks, she came in sassy... and has not stopped. I have worked with her daily, and she continues to be a handful... so... when I read your posting.... I thought... ummm I'm not alone in this... LOL. If I would have gotten Mirnada first, I may not have ever gotten another one.. LOL. So.. I will watch this posting closely as I am looking for recommendations also.

[catrine01]

I'm just so stunned about how smart these guys are. Both my husband and I have been amazed with her very apparent intelligence level.

So, I took the advice of someone above and as soon as she starts to redirect me into "forget about me being naughty; let's play!", I start giving her obedience commands. LOL, she keeps me on my toes, but I love it!!!