It is good that you are enrolled in an obedience school, keep going. Ask them these questions because they are the professionals. I am no professional, but here is what I can tell you based on my experience.
It sounds like you are responding appropriately to her behaviors. Consistency is key, so keep it up. Positive reinforcement is the best technique for training behavior in my opinion. But, I also use some negative reinforcement in certain situations.
Your puppy is probably trying to establish her rank in your pack/family. You can reinforce that you are alpha and still have a happy, spoiled baby. Dogs that view their owner as alpha feel safe, are calmer and more obedient, and happier. The pack mentality is more natural for them than total independence (how humans live).
Cesar Millan is a good source of knowledge and I'm sure he has some videos on how to reinforce your rank as alpha. There are a lot of routine behaviors that you can do to reinforce the message to your dog. I will give two examples.
In a pack, the alpha always sleeps in the highest and most comfortable place (your bed). By allowing your dog to sleep with you in your bed, you are giving the dog the message that you are equals. If you really want to share your bed with your dog, make the dog sleep at the foot of the bed (the lowest place) and never at the pillows (the highest place).
The alpha always eats before the rest of the pack. Before feeding your dog, eat your meal or just a snack first and let the dog watch. This is another reason why dogs shouldn't be fed from the table; since you are eating at the same time it sends the message that you are equals. I know that sometimes eating first isn't always convenient, so just try to do it most of the time and exaggerate it when you do. |