Gracie's getting a bit big for her britches!

DukesMom

Gracie is 9.5 months and really becoming a pill. She's been very very sassy lately and is trying to show (what i believe) is dominance over me. For instance when I try to put my shoes on she starts barking at me and tries to physically restrain me with her front paws (she thinks that means I'm leaving). Yesterday I put my sunglasses on to go in the yard to do doggy doody and she did the same thing. When I tell her to stay she barks and will sometimes lunge at me and nip at my legs. She's just getting worse and worse and now even tries to nip at me to stop me from going in another room! Duke never did anything like this. Of course he is not as attached to me as she is. He is very independent and kinda does his own thing. He doesn't care if I leave. He doesn't have to follow me to every room and such. He is much more obedient than her. She is super duper smart and when she wants to learn she learns very fast and is much easier to teach than he is. The key is "when she wants to". She is really driving me nuts! What should I do?

versatilek9s

DukesMom · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:55 pm Post subject:

She was spayed at 7 months and it seems that's when this behavior started. Strange! I'v tried all of the things that you said above and it just seems to get her more excited/aggressive and makes things worse. That's the really bad part. I'm really not quite sure what else to try.

jaspersfam416 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject:

We have gone through a lot of the same issues with Jasper. We tried the scruffing and other dominance tricks, but just like you said he would get more excited/aggressive. What has worked out best for us is no furniture/bed, and a time out spot. I know it sound crazy but it has worked. When Jasper gets overly excited or aggressive we put him in a spot where he has to sit calm and wait for us to release him. If he gets up without being released we simply put him back in the spot. His spot is secluded, but he can still see and hear us.

ange165 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

Sometimes Ruby can get a little overexcited when we are playing and start trying to be the dominant one. This will sound odd.. but it works for us but not sure for your girl as she has been nipping at you? When Ruby gets too excited I will roll her on her back and gently put my hand at her neck and growl slightly. Kind of what versatilek9s said.. She immediately submits goes limp and just looks at me. I know she thinks I am the top dog.. and I think your girl needs reminding that you are too. Don't give anything to gracie for free (that NILF thing you guys talk about on here sometimes).. make her wait for her dinner (if you aren't already), I ignore Ruby for the first few minutes when I get home and she's excited to see me, I will ignore her at first if she comes and starts nudging my hand for scratches (aren't I mean?). Ruby was spayed at over 6 mo and it didn't change her at all.
Good luck with Gracie.. hopefully she'll grow out of it.