Well, I mentioned in my Intro that when we got Macy (who is a 7mo old GSD) she was shy and nervous. I also mentioned that she's really coming in to herself, in the last 2 months. Heh. I wanted a dog that would take off a helpers arm at the shoulder socket. I guess she's starting on me and then working her way up.

The situation: She has a kennel in the side yard that she spends some days in, well today before I let her out I noticed that she was doing some hard core barking as soon as she saw the car. I mean the pissed off "Let me out right now" barking. I waited for that to stop, then I went to let her out and she came out fast. She usually comes out pretty quickly and is VERY jumpy (we've been working on this). Today I had her tug-on-a-rope in one hand and was going to do a sit/platz, then go straight into drive building. I said "sitz" and she (to quote Ed) gave me the finger. She did her normal "I'm going to boing around you", then I felt her mouth on my forearm. Then she clamped down on my hand. She only broke skin in one place, and thanks to Carol's thread I immediately grabbed her cheeks and hoisted her until she calmed down.

On the one hand, I'm glad to see that she has that much spunk. On the other hand, I'm pissed at myself for letting her get to the point where she's willing to push the limits like that. so I guess we go back to square 1. Or square 3.

Any suggestions, aside from the basic pack structure steps?

 Quote: David Eagle

and thanks to Carol's thread I immediately grabbed her cheeks and hoisted her until she calmed down.

#2....YES....Glad that the thread helped you.

I just wish I knew how we got to the point where she figured that was a gambit that she might win. Le sigh.

David,
I write this post, just as another vantage point...this topic, IMO, is something that needs experience. (and I did consult experienced people).

My pup did a similiar thing on a few occasions when we were working through some of his "coming into his own" at around 6, 7.5 months. He'd bark like crazy and lunge and be showing dominance over strangers.

If I attempted to correct him for this he "came up the leash" however, I learned at that time, that there is coming up the leash and COMING UP THE LEASH.

Generally, the way I understand this, is if it happens in the situation where the dog is in gear (pick a drive) and you step in to control (or anything interferes with the dog going after what it wants) depending how amped they are, they might "put their mouth on" that thing interfering (and may or may not bite down). That "thing interfering" is key because it doesn't matter if that thing is the handler.

Another good example is when a dog is ferociously barking at the window and another dog jumps up close by, just to see what he's barking at...that dog may bite at the innocent dog as a release of his pent up energy.

It by no means absolves the dog from possibly being "handler hard" and I by no means want to "turn another cheek" on an issue like this...for me, this description fit well for the circumstances we were facing at the time.

Looking back, I honestly did not see him biting at me as a "personal" attack, more of a "lemme get my mouth on SOMEthing already". However, I really live by NOTHING IN LIFE FOR FREE for this dog.

Hope this helps you some, gotta read your dog, as every dog is different.

Excellent reply, Michele. That was a very good explanation of a behavior that may have multiple triggers and responses.

You've got a young dog that goes into drive and ceases most forms of brain activity.....just like his sire.
Sounds like your handling skills are right on the money, though!

Hey Michele,

Thanks for taking the time to write that. I think you're 100% right. It wasn't "I'm going to get you for that." it was "I'm going to get something in my mouth darnit!" The fact that she didn't mind if it was me, is what I have a problem with. It's really that combined with the barking that sort of makes me step back and want to really take a hard look at her attitude. If she's doing these things in concert she's getting bolder, and I need to really step up my pack structure work and leadership. At least, that's how it seems to me. I understand a pup getting excited, I just want to make sure that she knows that getting excited and has limits, too.

Great post, though Michele. I think your perspective is right on for her. I needed a different set of eyes on the situation.

David,
Firm but fair.



Yeah, you knew that already.

Isn't it funny how they'll pick up any authority left laying around?
Randy

 Quote: randy allen

Isn't it funny how they'll pick up any authority left laying around?
Randy

This was an excellent quote!! Words to live by!

Geez, no kidding.

Also, any socks left laying around.

i counted 45 puncture holes in my right sock before i stopped counting....(sorry, off-topic)

question about the drive - b/c i had teagan come up the leash at me (sorry if i'm hijacking!).

she was playing w/her favourite toy (breaking it, actually) and had dropped it when i went to pick it up. she bit me. i corrected her badly b/c one end of the leash was attached to my ankle (this was in the house) and she came up it at me.

i'm fine w/how i handled the subsequent correction/etc, but - would you say this was her being in play drive and going after me b/c i was interfering w/her toy, or is this dominance? i'm reading what michelle wrote and i'm not sure how to take it, or if it really matters. but she had left the toy for awhile so it wasn't like i was pulling it out of her mouth or something.