Sierra issues since moving

[vanillasugar]

So we've had a few behavioural quirks that have popped up in our miss Sierra since moving into the house.
#1: She's gotten incredibly willful and stubborn. I ask her to do something and she stares me down instead of doing it. Occasionally I'll still see the obedient side of her, but the willful side has taken hold.
#2: Jumping. Not on most people, just me. Not just jumping, LEAPING (all 4 feet off the ground).
#3: "Kissing" but in a way I've been told it looks like she's actually snapping at me. Usually it's after I've been trying to get her to do something she won't do, and I make her do it (put her in a down, for example. She leaps back up at my face to kiss me very snappy like). Again, she doesn't do this to anyone else but me.

I assume this is from the upset of moving, change of schedule, change of atmosphere, alteration of rules, etc. etc. but what do I DO about it?? I've been doing the obvious, trying to stay consistant with the rules and boundaries and routine, and we're repeating all of the basic training stuff jsut as a refresher. Another part of the problem (always has been) is that as soon as we're "training", she's perfect and attentive, but in everyday life you can forget it. *sigh* Help?

 

[vanillasugar]

Oh, and something I think I should add: When we moved into the house Sierra's crate lasted a whole week before getting folded up and put in the basement. Matt has never wanted a dog that had to be crated, and only put up with it in the apartment because I insisted. I tried to argue that she still required her crate both for something stable that could provide her comfort, but also for transition into the new house and he didn't listen. The family room can be closed off from the rest of the house, and she is closed in there when we leave for any long period, but so far she's only been home alone longer than 4 hours on two occasions. Could this be a factor?

 

[Brattina88]

It could be... Maybe she would like a familiar place to sleep in, even if you don't lock it? Personally, I would bring it back out. Maybe in a couple of months you could try to take it down again...
Maddie hasn't needed to be crated since she was... maybe 1 or 2?? She's 9 now eek but she's the first one in the crate sleeping when I bring it up lol. They do like their "dens"

She sounds a little unsure, to me... The 'stubborn' behaviors, sounds much like avoidance behaviors I've seen in fosters (and in Bailey). They know what you're asking of them (ex. she knows HOW to sit) but they're not comfortable enough in the environment to comply (too overstimulated or anxious - especially down, a vulnerable position). I would stop making her comply, I'd really really hate for her to get comfortable with the snap/licking and it just come natural for her to snap If it were me, I would get some nuummmy treats and just about start from the begining Or just keep them in your pocked and catch her being good randomly throughout the day... it may boost her confidence with the whole move-thing as well

 

[PWCorgi]

I agree with the avoidance thing.

When Frodo came back to me from NC our first few weeks of training/living were pretty bad. Even though he had lived there for 4 years previously, it was still a huge change. I'd give her some time before you ask for anything big from her. Ignore the new bad behaviors and they should extinguish.

 

[scrofford]

I think it could possibly be the crate issue. Dogs who are raised in a crate and has the crate around all the time could really start feeling insecure if it is all of a sudden taken from them. Mix that with moving into a new place and there's your problem. I would put the crate back at least for a while and see if that makes a difference.

 

[vanillasugar]

Thanks for the advice guys. We took a really long walk tonight (longer than normal) and she settled quickly around other dogs (YAY!) so it's nice to see improvement at least in some area

She's never slept in her crate, it was only for when she was home alone, but she did often retreat into it on her own just to chill out. I will bring it back upstairs and set it up again tomorrow and Matt can just deal with it! I hadn't thought of it from a comfort/reassuring aspect, and that makes a lot of sense.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I would stop making her comply, I'd really really hate for her to get comfortable with the snap/licking and it just come natural for her to snap If it were me, I would get some nuummmy treats and just about start from the begining Or just keep them in your pocked and catch her being good randomly throughout the day... it may boost her confidence with the whole move-thing as well

I agree with all this.... Start way back at the beginning so that she can't make a mistake, and gradually work your way back to where she was before you left.

The snapping does not sound like a kiss, it sounds like frustration/demanding behavior that should not be excused or tolerated. If it's frustration, it should go away if you lower your criteria and make the training easier for her. If it's a demanding behavior, you should immediately remove all attention from her as soon as she does it, preferably separating her and yourself with a room or crate between you; wait for her to calm down before engaging with her again.

I also agree with catching her throughout the day being good. This is what I like so much about clicker (or marker) training, that you can mark a good behavior no matter what you're doing, even if you don't have treats with you; after the mark, make a big deal about running with her to the fridge to get a treat. After a few times of this, she'll never know when she may get a treat, never know when she's in a training session so that she'll listen more often.

 

[MPP]

I agree with the crate thing. I had my sheltie's crate in my bedroom for 15 years, although never shut after the first two months. It was her comfort zone. Even when she outgrew it, she would shoehorn most of herself into it when things were a little too hectic for her. The training/desensitizing advice also sounds spot-on.

 

[vanillasugar]

Thank you, the advice is much appreciated! Crate will be out of the basement tomorrow (one of those times that I wish it wasn't a production to get into the basement! LOL) and I've been trying to praise her for just being good around the house. I'm terrible with having treats around, but it's not far to run and grab one from the kitchen after a "YES!" and telling her she's a good girl.

She's thrown up tonight and isn't feeling so hot, so we're taking things easy.

 

[Brattina88]

She's thrown up tonight and isn't feeling so hot, so we're taking things easy.

Just a though... but maybe that could be part of it??

 

[vanillasugar]

Just a though... but maybe that could be part of it??

I considered it, but in truth I gave her Venison yesterday and it has never agreed with her. This is the 3rd time I've tried and it's failed each time.

 

[milos_mommy]

The crate is very likely one factor...she is probably anxious in her new home, too. She does/did have separation anxiety, right? If she has anxious tendencies, moving could escalate those problems.

I would also keep treats on hand at all times, and incorporate training into every day life. You say she listens during training sessions but not during other times, but really any time you're asking your dog for a command, it should be like a mini training session. Ask for her to "stay" if she tries to follow you into another room on the other side of the doorway, ask her to sit before she goes outside, you hand her a toy, you let her on furniture, etc. If she seems anxious about it, forget it and let her calm down.

How long ago did you move? I'm guessing a lot of stuff is still in boxes, being moved around, etc. It might make her uncomfortable. Just keep trying to have a schedule and stay consistent and be reassuring. She'll get over it.

Don't let the nipping thing become a habit, either. If she does it, walk away immediately. Try not to pressure her in training until she gets to that point. I know a lot of people disagree here, but I think it's better to let a command go unenforced than to allow her to become so uncomfortable she's doing that...it doesn't sound aggressive, almost like an appeasement thing, but still...

 

[ihartgonzo]

My dogs usually act unsure and seem "stubborn" when we move. It's really just insecurity. They'll spend time alone in the bedrooms when we're out and generally not behave as well. It is a big adjustment and confusing for them.

I recommend never using force in training. When your dog loves you like Sierra does, the best way to let her know that she needs to listen to you is to completely ignore her for a few minutes after she's ignored your command. When I do that to Fozzie, he will end up offering all kinds of behaviors and begging for me to give him a command/attention/anything. Licking is appeasement. Nipping and licking is worrisome, it's appeasement combined with a warning.

 

[jteatom]

I have dealt with these issues for years helping others with their dogs. As far as the crate is concerned, dogs that are trained with a crate and have been using one for a while tend to look at the crate as their "Den". Dogs are pack animals and need and want their own area to rest, sleep and basically get away from it in. Taking away the crate especially after a major change in her life such as a move can cause a lot of undue stress. I would definitely give the crate back. Even if the door is left open all the time. At least she can decide if that is what she wants. As far as the jumping and biting, you need to correct that action. She may just be testing you right now to see what she can get away with. Her whole life surroundings just changed and this may be a way she is dealing with stress. This problem could escalate and nobody wants that. Keep some treats around the house for her and periodically during the day, make her do some of her training exercises not in a "training session" but just around the house. Dogs know when we are doing formal "Training" and will usually always perform to standards. If you incorporate her training into every day life around the house, she will become more responsive and more dependable as far as following the commands when not in a formal training environment. Hope this helps.