stroppy penny advice please

[pennys mum]

It seems that penny has developed a strop when meeting other dogs...... barking excessively also when being told off.
Its not an aggressive bark, but can be intimidating to others (tail wagging)
She appears to think a telling off is a new game
We have tried the reward system.... to no avail and after reading the
"Old school thread" i am wondering if this carrot and stick is worth a try? we have a small wooden spatula which makes a loud noise when slapped against your hand but of course is not painful, at this she takes notice, i seem to remember using a rolled up news paper in a similar way on previous gsd.
penny is a strong willed dog and shows no fear .i would like to bend her will without destroying her spirit any advice more than welcome... pennys mum


p.s. she is not aggressive to people loves to meet anyone.

[Stuart]

I have never experienced this, but it does sound like she thinks its a game.

I think if I had this, I would try telling her off without words,.. remember she does not know the words you use anyway, she would normally respond to your tone only,..so try something different

If you need to tell her off, try a plastic bottle with small stones in it, the thing is with noise is that you have to get the timeing just right for it to work.

Maybe try, walking up to her very closely looking at her all the time, and maybe even forcing her back a bit,...I think experiments might be in order, because I am not sure if any of these will work

[pennys mum]

cheers stuart
this i have done slapping the thin wooden spatula against my hand,

as i said it gets her attention but she retreats still barking thats why i feel she thinks its a new game. its not an aggressive bark but very annoying at times. she will bark to go out for the toilet which we have praised, from her 1st week with us. and at times i wonder whos training who?? as i write this thread, fireworks are going off everywhere... not a murmur from her but we did buy her a new kong today to take her mind off them seems to have worked. best regards carol ....pennys mum

[Stuart]

Of course I dont know Penny,.. but a thought came over me that if she backed off but was still barking that she is/was protesting,..I know that you dont believe she is aggressive, and I am sure she is not, but just be a little carefull that a protest doesnt turn into something else.

I am hopeing that someone comes into this thread with a suggestion, just to help bring this level of vocal-ness down a little

[stillalsations2me]

If she appears to think the telling off is a game she probably just craves the interaction, more exercise might help

[pennys mum]

ty for your reply she does get out at least twice a day and a lot longer at weekends, she is absolutely brilliant with kids loves them ...follows our youngest grandaughter everywhere, and is very gentle with her.

im pretty sure its just attention seeking, we have had 5 gsd over the years and this behaviour is new to us, but they all have their own quirks and personalities. we may be expecting to much to soon, as she is a large bitch for her age......18 weeks and weighs47lbs not fat though, its sometimes hard to convince strangers shes just a pup still..... regards pennys mum ...carol