Scarlett is channeling Linda Blair...

[Rhetts_mama]

...in the exorcist. Thankfully, no split pea soup. But definitely the head spinning!

I don't know what's gotten in to this girl lately. She's growly at everyone and bit me (hard) twice yesterday. She's chewed off a lamp cord (that thankfully wasn't plugged in!), torn apart everything she can get her teeth on and is refusing to sleep more than an hour at a time at night! Oh, and my little piddle pad trained girl is refusing to use her pads. She'll go NEAR them, just not on them.

She's eating well. Her poo is normal. Her color is good and she doesn't seem to be in any pain. But she's such a little b, that even Rhett doesn't want to be near her. My husband commented that it's like a massive PMS attack...

What do you think could be going on? She's nearly 18 weeks. Could it be a delayed reaction to her shots last weekend? The start of the "terrible two's" phase? Do we need a doggy exorcism?

Help!

[MyBabyFynnlie]

Oh my goodness! I don't have any suggestions but I'm so sorry! I hope everything starts working out! This is crazy!

[LDandPasquale]

Is she spayed? Maybe she's having some miserable PMS lol

[misslissa]

Wow, poor you maybe take her to the dog park and let her run around and maybe burn out some energy
could she want more attention
could there be a mouse or squirrel that is setting her off

[Roccosmommy]

Which shot(s) did she have last week? Not to alarm, and you probably already know, but I've heard there can be delayed behavioral side effects similar to what you describe after a rabies vaccine..?

[Rhetts_mama]

Yep, it was the rabies vaccine that she was given along with the DHPP (I posted over the weekend about being upset with the new vet giving her both).

Do you have links to any info about the behavioral effects? The vet I like the best isn't back in the office until Saturday, so I can't call her about my concerns till then. But this was a rather dramatic change in her behavior. She's always been more "talkative" then Rhett, but she usually only growled when she was riled up with him while playing.

[Lizzie07]

Sounds like you just might have a bona fide dominant female puppy with a high drive. She is probably one of those puppies who needs LOTS of mental and physical stimulation. But not to worry, in a year or two things might get better and she will settle down.

Was she playing with you when she bit you?

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by Lizzie07

Sounds like you just might have a bona fide dominant female puppy with a high drive. She is probably one of those puppies who needs LOTS of mental and physical stimulation. But not to worry, in a year or two things might get better and she will settle down.

Was she playing with you when she bit you?

Define "playing". One of the times she bit was while she was tearing up a piece of paper. I went to pick her up to get it away from her and she bit hard enough to draw blood. The other was when I went to brush her. She's started growling at the kids now, too, when they go to pick her up. That's not her usual reaction to them.

But like I said, even Rhett doesn't want anything to do with her the last couple of days. Normally, they are inseparable.

[Roxy 87]

I know how you feel, my brothers 13 week old Pom is the same way, she hasn't gotten her third round of shots yet or her rabies though. But she runs around pestering everyone, chews on everything she can get her mouth on, she got ahold of a roll of tissue yesterday and made a huge mess. She nips, she actually nipped me in the chin. And she knows exactly where the pee pads are but refuses to use them, she will instead go into the kitchen and use the potty on the floor. Same thing as well, only sleeps for a little and is up and at 'em again. Eats good, poo's are normal, everythings good. Just very stubborn right now. So if you find someone who does doggy exorcisms, please let me know.

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Yep, it was the rabies vaccine that she was given along with the DHPP (I posted over the weekend about being upset with the new vet giving her both).

Do you have links to any info about the behavioral effects? The vet I like the best isn't back in the office until Saturday, so I can't call her about my concerns till then. But this was a rather dramatic change in her behavior. She's always been more "talkative" then Rhett, but she usually only growled when she was riled up with him while playing.

My Westie gets like that everytime he gets his shots. Very allergic.

[edwardsmom]

Edward use to do that when he was tearing up papers when i went to pick them up you just have to be a little stern and show her ur the boss... he is 1 and a half now and sometime hell shred things up but is not defensive about me taking it anymore and when she growls at your kids just tell them to ignore her until she starts getting it through her head that type of behaviour will not get her any love!

[Roccosmommy]

Rhetts Mama, sorry for the late response. Here's a link:

Dog Rabies Vaccination Side Effects | eHow.com

There may be more info if you search. I'm hoping it has nothing to do with Scarlett's behavior, but I guess it's worth thinking about. Good luck...hopefully she's just still angry about getting a shot

[Lizzie07]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Define "playing". One of the times she bit was while she was tearing up a piece of paper. I went to pick her up to get it away from her and she bit hard enough to draw blood. The other was when I went to brush her. She's started growling at the kids now, too, when they go to pick her up. That's not her usual reaction to them.

But like I said, even Rhett doesn't want anything to do with her the last couple of days. Normally, they are inseparable.

Yikes, that doesn't sound like play biting. Reading the side effects of the rabies vaccine it sounds like she could be suffering a reaction. I hope this is just a temporary stage she is going through.