Caro
Moderator
Okay, bit of light relief tonight - Tully humped the kitten!
Over the weekend it was wet and the pups got stir crazy, so Deska was humping everything in sight. What does Tully do - tries it out on Kalypso. Every bad behaviour that Deska has done to her, or around her, she is now trying on the kitten. Redirected aggression at the front door - yep lets try nipping the kitten when we go out for a walk. Pinching food, why not, Deska does it. She wants to be boss of the kitten (boy will she get a shock when the kitten grows up)!
I think moving up in the pack order is going to her head too. Today she ran up to an unknown German Shephard and barked in his face (okay so her buddy dogs were around her so she prob thought she was safe). And she snapped at a small young dog who got in her face (took out some fur!)
She is even flaking off at flyball and I have pulled her from the next comp (running Mr D instead) - last couple of classes I had to put her in time out!
Its fascinating to watch. It may have alot to do with her lack of confidence. Here is a pup that was bossed around by her 'big brother', attacked by other, bigger dogs, and was always getting her toys/balls pinched by big dogs (plus there is that awful phase when I was following the instructions of the harsh behaviourist - I still feel so guilty). Now she is feeling more confident but doesnt know how to manage it - she is just copying the behaviour of other more confident dogs.
So what do you think - confidence building or pack dynamics. Any thoughts how I teach her to not become a bully.
Over the weekend it was wet and the pups got stir crazy, so Deska was humping everything in sight. What does Tully do - tries it out on Kalypso. Every bad behaviour that Deska has done to her, or around her, she is now trying on the kitten. Redirected aggression at the front door - yep lets try nipping the kitten when we go out for a walk. Pinching food, why not, Deska does it. She wants to be boss of the kitten (boy will she get a shock when the kitten grows up)!
I think moving up in the pack order is going to her head too. Today she ran up to an unknown German Shephard and barked in his face (okay so her buddy dogs were around her so she prob thought she was safe). And she snapped at a small young dog who got in her face (took out some fur!)
She is even flaking off at flyball and I have pulled her from the next comp (running Mr D instead) - last couple of classes I had to put her in time out!
Its fascinating to watch. It may have alot to do with her lack of confidence. Here is a pup that was bossed around by her 'big brother', attacked by other, bigger dogs, and was always getting her toys/balls pinched by big dogs (plus there is that awful phase when I was following the instructions of the harsh behaviourist - I still feel so guilty). Now she is feeling more confident but doesnt know how to manage it - she is just copying the behaviour of other more confident dogs.
So what do you think - confidence building or pack dynamics. Any thoughts how I teach her to not become a bully.
