Help Training a "forgetful" Chihuahua?

Hi all
I really need some help with my little girl and her training, she appears to forget what she has been taught, depending on her mood, basically she just plain ignores me when it suits her.. I am still very much in the early stages with her..
Leave...she will "leave" on command, so far she has not "tuned" that out.
Sit.. yes usually if it suits or she is the right mood for a treat... E.G park this evening , bag of tiny chicken bits.. walking around every so often I stop and issue the SIT command, every time she sits no problem.. she gets excited about chicken so she jumps I re-issue sit and she sits still and takes reward.. we get home.. I still have chicken ..I say SIT she looks at me, SIT .. Nothing... POPPY SIT.. Zero Comprehension I must have told her 6 X before she sat, then not with her bum down just sorta lowered
Come.. Yes.. unless she is scared or excited, her come is more reliable in the park than in the garden? very good recall in the park today, but in the garden if I try to practice she just sorta looks at me as if to say "who me..... NO" There is no way to "make" her come so I withdraw my company.. she then comes with a toy

I also need help to tackle her "bouncing" she gets so excited when I or anyone comes in, that she will "bounce" off of you, the backs or fronts of your legs and bounce around in front of you, I have tried ignoring her and turning my back but it doesn't seem to sink into her over excited brain, she bounces off whatever side she sees..OFF is the command I have been using and she just doesn't get it, lately I have started to bend down and pet her low down to greet her but she still "bounces".. she's just so darn pleased to see everyone!

She has always had good responses, (not perfect) to both of these commands but just lately she seems to have developed a bit of an "attitude"

I am concerned about her agression to other dogs too, she has gone from quietly interested/scared to growling and barking.. I originally put this down to her being chased by a springer and that she was scared BUT today a lovely 9mnth old SBT came to say hello to me and instead of ignoring it and running over to OH and son who were about 10-15ft away she chose to stay and snap and snarl at its face.. even when it was laying on its back for a tummy rub! the SBT was in a submisive position..why did she continue to be threatened by it.. or am I reading it wrong? She is happy to see other Chi's????

She is Just about 10 mnths now and I have had her since she was 5 mnths old...she was not abused, neither was she hugely trained, (she came from a home with other Chi's) but she was well loved and socailised with people and animals..
If there is anything else you need to know plse ask

I would really appreciate any advice , opinions, links etc
Thanks in advance
Rachel

Hello

At 10 months your dog is not forgetful of training but is, as you say, ignoring you. Every time she ignores you you lose a tiny bit of her respect and she learns that she can get away with dismissing you.

Also, at that age, she is the equivalent of a human teenager and behaving like one - pushing the boundaries and testing your resolve

Do you make her sit and wait until released when you put her food bowl down? Do you make her 'work' for anything and everything she wants, eg sit before you pet her, before you put her lead on, before you take her lead off, sit for treats, etc.? (doesn't have to be sit, but she should do something on your command, which is the basis of the Nothing in Life is Free program).

Recall: this Dogweb article will suggest how to achieve a reliable recall: http://www.dogweb.co.uk/dog-articles.php?t=8049

Her attitude to other, larger, dogs may be fear-related. If this is the case the principles suggested in this Dogweb article can be adapted to your situation: http://www.dogweb.co.uk/dog-articles.php?t=8050

Have you taken her to training classes? That would be good for her generally and may help her unfriendly attitude with other dogs. But do tell the instructor of the problem beforehand so that he/she knows what to expect and how best to deal with it. Sometimes it is not wise to expose dogs exhibiting that behaviour to a number of dogs together. Be guided by the instructor's advice. If the problem persists or worsens you may wish to consider a behaviour consultant. It is difficult, and in some cases unwise, to offer advice without actually seeing the dog and exactly how she interacts with others.

Re the bouncing: persist with the ignoring. Dogs will exhibit an extinction burst, which means that they redouble their efforts before the behaviour is extinguished. It is important that the ignoring is done by everyone that comes in - no speaking, no touching, no eye-contact - the thing climbing up their legs just does not exist Dogs repeat what they find rewarding. If her efforts are met with no response at all (even a negative response gives her what she wants - attention) it will cease to be a rewarding thing for her to do. It will take time and consistency, but it will happen.

Keep us up-to-date with your progress

ETA I she spayed? If not is this behaviour coincidental to her coming into or just finishing a season?

Do you or have you regually picked her up around larger dogs? I am no expert and dont want to offend anyone but the reason I ask is my observation of small dog agressive dogs is that mainly (not always) these are the dogs that especially when young are picked up when larger dogs come near, I can understand the want for doing this worrying about such a small pup being hurt by a bigger dog the problem being from a higher possition looking down at all dogs they see and being able to yap and growl without any consiquence at other dogs they will consider themselves to be superior and will encourage this behaviour.
I saw a very good example of this the other week with a young pup it was his first walk outside and when Loki and Meg approached he looked understandably unsure but didnt hide or growl or anything Loki and Meg instictively were more gentle than normal with this little chap but because they are both a fair bit bigger and I supose they were worried their little one would be hurt they picked him up before he had chance to see that Loki and Meg just wanted to play and to asses the situation when picked up he started growling and yapping and im asuming they are now building the foundations for a dog agressive dog or at least with bigger dogs as hes not being allowed to socialise with them!

As for the teenage faze i am dreading this with Loki he can be strong willed enough as it is you need to show her she cant just stay there whilst you call unsuccesfully, putting her on a house lead and calling her if she ignores you then gently lead her into you so she realises she has to come whenever you call and cant just ignore you. If she follows your commands better in the park perhaps you are not practising them enough in the house or letting her get away with not doing as you ask more in the house then you do whe you are out.

Thanks Shadow boxer for the links, I have read through them and am going to print them off , so I can refer again when neccasary..you are right she is ignoring me and trying it on... Today using the sit and wait technique she has been "suddenly" so much more responsive.. knowing I will not throw the ball or put her food down until she puts her bottom on the floor and leaves it there.. has had a very good effect as the day has worn on, in one day I have noticed that she is able to sit and wait without the "silliness"...I think she is a bright dog and will push her self forward if she can .. recently I have been "neglecting" our usual routines due to "family matters" and she has taken the opportunity to flex her muscles I will definately implement the agression advice as I have been doing completely the wrong thing we walk in a dog busy area and I mistakenly thought, that the more dogs she saw, that ignored her, the better she would feel, but unfortunately for every 10 dogs that ignore her there is 1 that will not leave her alone..

HI Hannah
I must confess that yes I have picked her up, usually when she is displaying her fear signals, lately I am picking her up, to stop her snapping and hurting other dogs or annoying one so much that they retaliate .. which would most likely be fatal for Poppy, she rarely snaps or growls after I pick her up..


Thanks again
Rachel