Mike As you likely already know, what you're experiencing with your 12 week old pup is normal. In fact, what you're experiencing is normal at my house with youngsters much older than yours. :-) Until youngsters I'm rearing have developed (through training) a higher level of self discipline, their attempts to manipulate me into directing more attention to them than I have within my capabilities seem endless!
Your chosen method of addressing the immediate situation may likely prove adequate. But don't be surprised if Sophie becomes more inventive in her ways of getting your attention (away from Bart.). :-) This is the way it goes with my own Berner pups. Their inventiveness in getting my attention never ceases to amaze me. Dogs, especially Berners, generally like to do things with their people. Giving them opportunities to serve us willingly develops their inate desire to do it more and more and more. Teaching tricks to our dogs is fun and offers opportunities to indulge them with attention which requires a response to get more attention.:-) Each time a dog responds willingly (in the manner we'd like) to our request to "do something," we're developing that dog's desire to do more for us. With my own dogs, if the tricks are a little beyond the ordinary we both take special delight in them. Having a significant repertoire of tricks in their bag....the kind of tricks I WANT them to know :-) makes some really smart dogs seem to feel special and singled out as special. Your pup sounds very smart and I'd encourage you now to step up her training in areas of self discipline and to practice living with her in a manner in which expectations become a daily way of life with her. Self discipline exercises, once taught, do not have to be done in a rote sort of way. They simply become part of daily life and routine. They might include a) waiting at all doorways, not rushing or bumping into others going through the door b) waiting to dive into the supper bowl until directed c) waiting momentarily and quietly for the next trick command to be issued Consider looking around the bookstore or the Internet bookstores and find a book on training dogs to do tricks. If you choose to start teaching your baby pup some of the simpler tricks, she will probably enjoy them throughout life. You're going to have a hoot at puppy class! It's the most fun class to teach because, as an instructor, every single puppy teaches me a new trick! Good luck with your Berner baby. Ruth Reynolds Pioneer Bernese www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/rar [EMAIL PROTECTED]
