Growling and my Sheepdog...
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| Hello, and welcome to the forum. You will get lots of wonderful advise here, and become addicted to the site!
Just a couple suggestions: If she's on the couch I would make her get down before you sit. They need to be taught you first, dog second. They need to "earn" their rights, not take them and it helps to do that on a continuing basis so they don't forget the rules. If it was just trying to move her I'd suggest having her checked to see if something is "sore," but I don't see a connection with that and her growling because she wants something. Has she had obedience training? Maybe a refresher course would help. Try not to let her get into the positions where she growls at you, such as on the couch. Make her get up. Have her lay on the floor for awhile before being allowed back on the couch. Good luck. Whoops - forgot to sign in. Mouthpf |
| Sounds like your sheepie is testing you... its time to put her on the NILF program....(Nothing in life is free) she has to work for ANYTHING she gets from you. She wants a petting, she has to sit or whatever...and absolutely NO couches or the bed for a while until she learns its YOUR couch and YOUR bed and YOU are letting her on it. |
| Totally agree with all the above. The NILIF program is wonderful.
One more suggestion - keep a leash attached to her in the house - just a short one is ok. That way your hand is not near her if you need to get her off the furniture. Takes away the posibility of her nipping at your hamd on her collar if she decides to challenge how much you really want her off the couch! Consistancy is the key - get everyone on board to enforce the rules. She will learn faster that way. Inconsistancy leads to a dog's confusion, then frustration, then nipping. Something you definitely want to avoid. |
| Please respect the growling. She is telling you something, so best you listen.
I would want to work "with" her as opposed to against her. Make it rewarding to be on the ground, and when you need to call her off the couch give her a treat for coming to you. This is a challenging age, and you want to maintain a solid, predictable temperament. Often forceful means of "making the dog listen" will creat a dog that is more fearful and defensive, due to negative experiences. That makes an unpredictable dog. NILF is great. Just make sure she undertands how it works so she learns the rules herself, and they are not being physically forced onto her. Good luck. |
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