Lucy is acting up :-(
All of a sudden, in the last three days, Lucy has started acting up. She used to be great in the house. She would basically come when called, especially when it was part of her routine like going for a walk or getting her oral rinse after breakfast. Now, she's back to her old tricks from when I first brought her home. She makes me chase her around the dinning room table to do anything. God damn its infuriating!
I'm wondering if she is getting to that age where she's trying to test me again (she's 17 months) or if she's just getting jealous of Joey? Either way, I hope it stops soon because I miss my old Lucy. 
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I'm guessing it is a mixture of her age and the fact that you just threw a curveball into her schedule/world. I don't underestimate the terrible twos part of this equation though.
Shibas are suppoused to be naughty, it's what they excel at, Lucy is just getting in touch with her roots.
When you call her over, are you trying to use a treat and she still isn't coming? If I don't offer a treat (or pretend too) Nemo usually likes to play a bit of "catch me if you can". So maybe he has more trained to give him a treat, than I have him trained to come when I want him too, but a treat still gets us on our way.
Moto is 22 months and is the devil much of the time. My devil, but devil none the less. When Moto doesn't come I have found that if I call him and then turn my back like I am completely bored by him, he comes right to me, sits and waits.
Brandon is right. She is at the age to be a big time mischief maker. PLUS there is a new furry face stealing some of her thunder and messing with her routine. Be consistent (I should follow my own advice) and she will bounce back to her lovely Lucy self.
I agree with Brandon too. It's probably teenage angst mixed in with a bit of jealousy.
I don't suggest you chase Lucy around the dining room table. Mika pulls that on me every now and again. I sit calmly til she comes over to me or, I close the door and walk away like I'm going to leave her and Keigo separated. After a few minutes (enough time to put on my shoes and coat), I open the door and she runs right into the shop.
I guess I knew it was coming, but there was a small part of me that thought I might actually get away with having a Shiba that behaved. She is just as stubborn as I am.
I call her, she doesn't come. So I'll squat down to make it less threatening and be in the position that I'm always in when I give her some lovin (that used to work without fail). She look at me, then turn and walk away. I'll give a verbal correction, she'll stop and turn to look at me, then calmly walk away again. She knows she's being bad because she puts her tail down, yet she still refuses to come. She'll go to the other side of the table so I can't see her. I'll walk around to the other side too and call her over again. She'll go back to the other side of the table. Repeat. Usually after about 10 minutes, she'll make a mistake and go to another part of the house where I can corner her. I generally pick her up and bring her back to the spot where I initially called her and complete whatever the task was that I was trying to accomplish with her. After I finish it, she gets lots of lovin. I know she can sense how pissed off I am because once I catch her she willingly complies with whatever I want.
I guess I'll have to be a bit more liberal with the treats. What was I thinking trying to get a Shiba to do something without a treat reward? Silly me.
my shibas are ridiculously prideful. i've tried this (from the excerpt below) and it works most times:
CAN’T GET YOUR SHIBA TO GET UP AND COME TO YOU? READ THIS:
I was walking outside to open the front gate in front of my complex and saw two guys training a beautiful large German Shepherd dog, in front of my neighbor’s house. They were both professional dog trainers that my neighbor had apparently hired to come by and train his dog when he’s at work. I introduced myself and proceeded to watch. See, the funny thing about many dog trainers is that they have an ego, and their ego often prevents them from accepting help from people who haven’t already demonstrated superior skill. Perhaps not a bad policy. But whatever. Anyway the first fellow was standing and talking with me, and out of the corner of my eye I was watching the second fellow work with the dog. They’d taught the dog to hold a down-stay. But the problem was, they hadn’t successfully taught the dog what come means, and that it’s okay to get up from the down-stay when the handler calls you to come. The problem was, the second fellow was calling the dog to come, and while he was doing it, he was inadvertently bending forward and clapping his hands. And then he’d move a little closer to the dog all the while bending forward. The dog didn’t move. "Come, Enzo. Come, Enzo. Come on, come on" The dog still didn’t move. So, I asked the first fellow if it would be alright if I gave his assistant a tip that I knew would help to communicate with the dog that it was alright to get up and come to the handler. I told him the same thing I’d written about in my book -- that when the dog doesn’t understand this command, you need to be using your body language to LEAN BACK and even walk backwards, away from the dog. This body language will more easily communicate to the dog what you want him to do. (Setting him up for success). But the trainer was stubborn and wanted to do it his way. "Pshah I know what I’m doing. I’m a professional," he said as he waved his hand in my face. I stood there and grinned, knowing exactly what would continue to happen. "Come, Enzo. Come, Enzo. Come on, come on" he continued. The dog still didn’t move. Finally, in frustration he looked in my direction, then back at the dog and did exactly as I told him to do leaned backwards, started walking backwards away from the dog and called his name. Enzo immediately understood and happily galloped over to the handler. So, the next time somebody tries to tell you that there aren’t any “Secrets” … just watch what they’re doing and if they’re stubborn--- just grin and DON’T TELL THEM ABOUT MY BOOK, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” Because even many so-called “professional dog trainers” don’t know everything.
Copyright 2005 by Browning Direct, Inc. DogProblems.com by Adam Kantz
Jake has always been 'if I want to', although on occasion, when he wants to, he comes right to me or goes to the car when doggie park is mentioned. On the other occasions, I simply have to accept and ignor him as if I don't care, especially if he's in the yard. There is no way I'm gonna catch him so I've learned not to waste my emotions or energy. Besides, as we know, they cooperate much better with loving praise. In Lucy's case, I think the jealousy of sharing you is bringing out the typical 'I don't want to' Shiba attitude and her resentment of having to share. Now, you experience their stubborness, their poutiness and their truly sensitive natures.
Exercise tonight should help. In the meantime, try and be patient with her as she enters a new phase of Dave's world.
Thanks Jennifer. That's great tip. I'll have to give it a try tonight when Lucy disagrees with me next.
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Scarlet....After her first few months, Lucy has listened really well in the house. At the dog park, it has always been much more of a challenge. I'm trying to be patient with her. I really am. But patience is a virtue that I just don't posses and I don't want her to think that she can take advantage of me going out of my way to accommodate her during the adjustment period. I'll deal with it either way, but I hope she forgets about being jealous and goes back to sweet playful Lucy soon.
Every time we add a dog to our pack it takes a few weeks before it sets in. Then all the older dogs starting "testing" us to see if, now that their is a new pack member, the pack rules have changed.
You may be experiencing a bit of this, Lucy may be trying to test you and see were she fits into the pack. Just stay consistent as the pack leader and it will pass.
Thanks Bard. That makes a lot of sense. I have been being as consistent as possible with the exception of going out of my way to make sure I give Lucy some attention when Joey is in his play pen. Its nice to know it will pass.
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Boooo. Boooo. No points for Lucy. I have won all of these battles, it just may have taken me 20 minutes. :-/
So this morning things went to another level....I starting using rice cakes to entice Lucy to come to the door for leashing up every morning and it worked for a day. Then she came but refused to eat the rice cake and walked away. So I went and got one of the vegetarian treats that she can have. She came over and allowed me to leash up for our walk. This morning, she came to get the treat but when she saw her collar she let go and walked away. I tried everything I could think of to get her to come. Nothing worked.
Finally, when I was at my wit's end, it occurred to me that I could exploit the root of this problem: jealousy. So, Joey got taken out of his crate and put in his harness and guess what happened? Lucy came running! Not wanting to confuse Joey, I decided to bring him on the walk with us.
I have been cutting our evening walks a little short and walking slower so I could bring Joey with us, but he hasn't been coming on our morning walks. So, I guess I'm wondering if you can give a puppy too much exercise? Half way through our walk today Joey just went to the grass and lay down so I picked him up and carried him for a while. When he started squirming I put him down again and he took off. Should I be more careful about letting him over do it?
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On a side note, we bumped into a Bision on the walk today and Joey was being his usual loud self and trying to dominate this Bision. Joey got put in his place. Yay! For some reason all of the female dogs that Joey has played with seem to be tolerant of him jumping all over them and biting their necks. The males don't stand for it at all. I guess I have to try to get him some more play dates with non-Shiba male dogs?
Maybe you could take Joey for a short walk, return him, and continue on with Lucy? One breeder (Jodi's) told me that long walks for puppies was not good and that their legs need building up before they go hiking. Of course, I was talking about long hikes.
Not sure about the non-Shiba playdates.... I would think it was best for him to meet with all kinds, gentle females, tough males.
I had Moto walking 10 miles a day at 6 months. On warmer days I would just bring water and a collapse-able bowl with me. Joey is also teeny enough that if he seems a bit tuckered pick him up for a few blocks.
I always take Moto AND Piglet out. Unless Piglet doesn't get up when she hears the leashes jingle. It inspires Moto to let me leash him, and it keeps everyone from feeling left out.
I don't think dogs can get too much outside time.
Thanks Brandon. I think I'll start bringing her leash into the bedroom at night so I can just leash her up before she even gets out of bed in the morning. It is only our morning walk that she is being bitchy about. Every other time of the day she's more than happy to comply with leaving the house.
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Hey LJ! I was wondering when you were gonna come out of the woodwork. To answer your question, she's fine once I get the leash on her. She loves walks. And for our afternoon walks or potty breaks she is just as enthusiastic as she used to be. It is just first thing in the morning.
I know, I know - I join the forum and then I disappear (sounds too much like some of my relationships, so I'm going to leave that one alone).
I was curious because Jazz has decided she doesn't want anyone else to walk her but me - to the point of going to the door to be leashed, but the moment someone else's hand touches the leash - she immediately comes to me and lays on my feet. I think it's because I have not been her primary walker lately - the kids have. Between work, a knee sprain, and pollen - I've just not been outside that much.
I wish I had some insight to bestow, but I think your solution of bringing the leash to have closeby would be a good solution. When I first got Jazz, I leashed her while she was still in the bedroom to train her to go out for a walk since she was used to being in a dog run. Over the last several months, we created a "leash spot" and when I go there, Jazz is ready and waiting to go outside.
LJ: Well I hope you stick around, its a lot of fun here! You should start a thread to introduce yourself and Jazz.
I have a leash spot for Lucy and Joey as well. There are three steps just inside my front door and I always have them stand at the top of those steps while I leash them up. If I go down those steps and turn around, Lucy has always known to sit at the top and wait for me to leash her up. Now she runs the other way. Damn smart Shibas!