Dog Behavior

[Tink]

Janet, I agree fully.
If any of my dogs so much as growled at me I'd get very nasty right then and there with them so they knew it wasn't going to happen again. You need to teach in a way animals understand, and can relate to. Imagine what would happen if they did this toward another dog... they'd get the same back.

Ava is 70 lbs and looks fierce, yet when she's shown aggression to another dog while right next to me I have grabbed her by the skin on her face and got right in her face and told her what I thought of it. She doesn't do it anymore. She knows I am NOT intimidated by her and she MUST submit to me. I will give treats to my dogs and take them away just to reinforce this. If they give it up nicely they get it back with praise. If they resist, I keep it. (This is training for letting me safely handle their puppies later)

I don't care how big or tiny a dog is, they need to know biting or threatening is not allowed. I have actually had a couple dogs put down because they snarled at kids. Don't be afraid to put her in her place. It sounds like she's testing the limits and will be a little snot if she thinks she can get by with it. Most will try it one time or another, the key is just to teach them the first time so there isn't a second episode.