she’s a 9 yr old GSD. she is currently having authority issues. she used to respond to "no" and/or any other kind of "punishment"
she is an outdoor dog, and usually sleeps right by the back door. the problem is that she has suddenly gotten to where she jumps and scratches at the door. she has shredded the screen door, and i’m afraid that she will tear the wooden trim around the door completely off. if i open the door at all she tries very hard to get inside. saying ‘no’ doesn’t have any affect whatsoever. throwing her back doesn’t do anything. i block the door with the patio furniture and she’ll drag it away so she can scratch at the door some more. she’ll practically push me over trying to get in. i’ve learned that twisting the ear shows that i am dominant and even though she’ll whine when i do it, as soon as i let go she’s back at the door again clawing at it. on top of that, she has taken to pooping in that spot right by the door where she usually sleeps.
dogs never poop in their sleeping spot. there’s only two things i can figure. either she’s old enough she can’t get up quick enough (doubtful since when i go outside she runs and jumps like a puppy) or i saw this thing on the discovery channel where ancient dogs would poop on things so that nobody else could have it. is that what’s she’s doing? telling me that if she can’t come inside that i can’t use that door? she’s driving me nuts! i’ve tried everything. i’ve even tied her up to a tree in a kind of ‘time out’ when she does it. she’ll usually stop immediately after being let loose again but eventually, here she comes scratching at the door again. i’ve done everything i can think of short of throwing her on her back to make her lie in the submissive position with me on top in the alpha position. i don’t do that because she has some back problems and i don’t want to injure her, though i’ve come close to slamming the door shut on her head cause she won’t let up. PLZ HELP!!!!
she’s not cold. she’s a german shepherd, and she has a thick coat even for that. if it’s outright snowing we let her in, but otherwise she’s fine. believe me, if i could keep her in at all times, i would, but the parentals don’t want a big dog in the house. storms scare her, but we usually let her inside during storms anyway. she only does this when she thinks we’re home. the neighbors are definitely not an issue. my house is surrounded by old folks that don’t get out much and the kids in the neighborhood are too young to have that kind of a mean streak. I have taken her to the vet. they say she has a back injury which we are treating her for, and i am not about to put her in the submissive position because i don’t want to hurt her. and so you know, i try not to slam her head in the door, i’m not mean, but shen i’m already shutting the door and she sticks her head in, well, i haven’t hit her yet but i’ve come close and only because i’m watching her carefully.
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