Quote:
Originally Posted by chelleANDlottie
just to add she has also stared barking at things in the garden? why ? what?? she just runs round and barks, not aggressive.
recently while out with her she suddenly turned nasty to another dog, something she have never done, she was barking and snarling and trying to see the dog off.
we were with a crowd of friends in a busy area at the time, do you think she was just trying to protect her "pack" from the potential inruders.
how do we contrl this agression. normally she wants to play with every dog that passes.
chelle x
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Terriers are a very strong willed bred, very determined and sometimes very controlling. Just think of the Grayfriars Bobby story and you will get the general idea. I don't know if it's a "teenage" thing or that she has just found out that she has free will and is attempting to become pack leader. Having had a couple of terriers go through similar, I can only describe what I have done in the past. The main theme here is control, control and control.
You and your boyfriend must firmly insist that she does what you want and not what she wants. Outside, until she behaves socially with other dogs, you must have some sort of variable length lead. I used a long lead but not a rolly one. Keeping her close to heel and then, when you want to let her "roam" a little, play out the lead. Aggressive behaviour; pull her in and then back to close walking.
Same in the house and garden. "Bad" behaviour is rewarded with time out - in the kitchen or where she nomally sleeps. Good behaviour rewarded with chews or treats or toys. Trying structuring her time in the garden with toys; balls, tuggers or a big hard football. My dogs loved playing with a very solid large football. They dragged it about with their paws and nosed it about the garden; kept them really busy.
General theme for visitors. Control her, always, for the next little while; reward her if her behaviour is "good" or do something she doesn't like, like back to the kitchen ,if she does something you don't want. She will soon grasp you are in control not her. Then you can gradually allow her a little more freedom bit by bit but always under your control.
It's a phase but it needs to be stopped firmly by you or she will take more liberties!
15-07-2009, 05:26 AM
Lottie west highland terrier, terrier by name terrier by nature!!!
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