[Knotaclue]

Hello!!

I have a 5 month old Ridgeback puppy and she's kind of...a brat. Our other dog is 3 and whenever he goes to drink out of the water bowl, she harasses him. Biting at his legs, leaning on him, nudging him out of the way so she can drink (even though she already drank and appeared done with the bowl until he wandered over there).

If another dog has a treat or chew toy she wants she'll bark at them until they leave it alone, or she'll lay with her face right next to them while they eat/chew on whatever. (I'm really nervous about this because I know eventually she'll do this to the wrong dog and get hurt badly for it).

If the dogs are smaller than her she bites at their ears, pounces all over them, chases them (in a rude way, the other dog is obviously terrified), and she doesnt understand body language that the other dog doesn't want to play. If the dog is her size or larger she plays really well and will sometimes be submissive (depending on how the play is going).

I really just want to know if she's just being a puppy and will "mature" or if this behavior will go on through adulthood and I need to start training her out of it. (<-if that's the case, ideas on training would be greatly appreciated.)

Thanks!

[Amylynne]

You are having the same issues with your Ridgeback that I'm having with my westie mix. It's driving me crazy & I have no idea what to do with him I got him neutered & play with him alot & pay tons of attention to him & do training exersises with him. Any advice would be welcome! Thank you Knotaclue for addressing this issue! <3

[Knotaclue]

No problem! I exercise her a lot too. I take her to the dog park for almost 2 hours at LEAST 3 times a week, and long walks whenever I get off work; so I know she's not bored...

[dogdragoness]

I dont mean to be frank, but she NEEDS to do this to the "wrong dog" before she gets older & does become a bully. She needs to be put with a dog like my Izze, who has very good bite inhibition but she will tell her in no uncertain terms (after throwing calming signals) that's not acceptable.