Puddin went through a similar stage at about the same age. Bailey needs to learn the word "no" and, if you don't already know how, you need to learn to use the word in a strong, commanding, no nonsense way. Think about the way a drill sergeant barks orders at a bunch of new recruits---that is the tone of voice you need to use. A loud, sharp NO will usually make them stop what they are doing, at least momentarily, which gives you the opportunity to reward her compliance. If she persists, then she needs a consequence...put her in her crate or shut her in another room where she can't see you for a few minutes. Right now, she has found ways to get what she wants and as long as these behaviours are successful for her, she will not stop them.
Same thing with the clinginess...you have to harden your heart to her cries and just leave her alone. I don't know if you use a crate or how you isolate Bailey, but I have a very large tiled bathroom where Puddin's bed and crate are kept, along with her food, water, and pad...in fact, we now refer to it as "her room." She is left there with the doors closed. If she paws the door for us to let her out, sometimes we do, sometimes don't. But if she accompanies the pawing with setting up a ruckus, we tell her "NO!" and when she has quieted down, we reward her compliance by letting her out.
Bottom line, Bailey is behaving this way because it works for her. When it doesn't work anymore, she will try something else. Eventually, if you are consistent and firm, she will try what you want her to do and when she gets rewarded for that behaviour, she will settle on it. |