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Kahlua Cone Free and Forgetting Her Training

Nik

Well-Known Member
Kahlua's cone came off on Saturday and she is now free of those stitches. Which means she got to play and run again in the yard with Diesel. She is happy. We are happy.

The only thing is once the cone came off she suddenly seemed to forget all of her training and is acting like a petulant argumentative bratty teen.What happened to my sweet obedient girl? She has never had an attitude like this. She is acting more like how Diesel acted for the first 2 years of his life before he outgrew it and became the wonderful dog he is now.

Now when we do NILF and I give her commands to get the things she wants (food, treats, play, etc) she barks at me obstinantly and tries to refuse. What on earth?

I don't get it. Is it because we kept her cooped up for two weeks while she healed? Is it because she got so much special attention and alone time? Is she just reaching *that* age? It is such a night and day difference that I can't help thinking it has something to do with the cone removal or hormone changes from her spay surgery.

In any case I know the remedy is being strict with the NILF and training more. So we have buckled down and are in training boot camp mode.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Hmm? Let me see, looking back at Bailey's spay and the behaviour afterwards, I'd say: "Is it because she got so much special attention and alone time?"
Yep! Bingo! Out of the mouth of the Mommy who Mommied her into a bratty, spoiled child. Been there, done that! Remember when we said she was playing you and you grudgingly admitted that perhaps there was some of that going on. Well, it elevated her sense of self importance in the family and now she's pushing the envelope. Ah, it reminds me of the time when I asked my daughter if she was spoiled rotten or spoiled good. I spoiled her good, but....well, the outcome was sort of like what you are experiencing now. Lots of yelling/barking...demanding, refusing, etc., etc., NILF, NILF and more NILF...the dog version of suspending the allowance and grounding.

Poor Kahlua...But I am a Princess!!! Sulk...Sulk...Sulk.:(:rolleyes:;)
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Poor Kahlua... she's in for some tough days remembering who's boss, huh? :(

I'm guessing she'll have a "light-bulb" moment in a few days and be your silly sweet girl again... but... until then... as you said... NILF!
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
I had a similar experience with Kryten after his first surgery. He was allowed to get away with some things because he wasn't healthy enough to be able to do them the correct way. As he healed and became able to do more I had to retrain that he had to do them the correct way and not the easy way. Thankfully I had already learnt from a tiny 7lb cat that you can't let them play you or your in trouble so I didn't have that problem with Kryten.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Yeah, almost every parent of human kids will tell you that they're just awful after they've been sick - especially when they're young. You worry and can't wait for them to get well and then they turn into little devils. You've got the right idea. Enforce the rules and expect good behavior. I bet she'll be back to her normal self quickly.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
It's funny she is even being more bratty to Diesel. She kept relentlessly attacking (play attacks) him even when he tries to escape or come to us. My husband was so frustrated with her last night that for the first night in ages she wasn't allowed to sleep in bed with us. But, bed time with us is another thing she has to earn and she didn't earn it yesterday. Hoping she will get back to normal quickly.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Refusing the bed, wow, that is a clear message, and if Kahlua is anything like Bailey she'll roll over quickly to regain that spot. MOM PLAYS HARDBALL!
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Refusing the bed, wow, that is a clear message, and if Kahlua is anything like Bailey she'll roll over quickly to regain that spot. MOM PLAYS HARDBALL!

You are very right about this. But, much like a young child she only realizes it *at* bedtime.

So last night at bedtime as we were herding everyone to the room Kahlua picked up a bone on the way to the room. She knows she is not allowed the bone in bed or during bedtime. We told her to drop it and she refused. So I continued to the bedroom alone with Diesel while Sean started steering Kahlua towards her box. The moment Kahlua realized what was going on and that Diesel would get bed time with us and she would not she ran to where she had found the bone (on their kitchen bed) and dropped the bone where it had been and ran back to Sean looking hopefully at the bedroom. So since she did what he had originally asked she ended up being able to sleep with us after all.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Yeah, I'd probably do the same thing...give in to the prissy little miss. BUT, the big question is has her demeanor changed and is she obeying mommy and daddy today?

I bet there will be a few more stubborn moments.