u/DooberNugs

This is Noodle. She is 1 and 1/2 years old. She wears her sassy pants at all times, even in the shower.

She is a rescue (at 6 mo). She is argumentative, to phrase it politely. Anytime she is told "no," she will bark back and/or nip at the air in front of your finger.

I know minpins can be a bitey breed (it's literally in their name). She's never actually bitten, just mouthing. She's never behaved aggressively, though she can be very vocal.

Does anyone have any advice on behavioral management with this breed? She doesn't respond to "no" and ignoring her typically causes her to escalate/persist. I know a lot of it is who she is as a dog, but I feel like I'm making it worse.

I appreciate any advice!

I have a 1.5 yo female spayed Miniature Pincher (assumed) that I've had for the last year. Her name is Noodle.

She was rescued from what was likely a less ideal situation (surrendered when owner couldn't afford surgery after Noodle was attacked by a dog). Noodle fits the typical depiction of the breed perfectly. She has a HUGE personality and tons of energy. She's pretty vocal and likes to use her mouth. However, I feel like my attempts at managing her sass only makes it worse.

Noodle likes to argue when you say "no." She will bark back or "snap" at your finger. She has never truly bitten. She genuinely will put her mouth on me, but never chomped down. If you attempt to do something she doesn't want, she'll growl and "nip". I have had to grab her collar and give her a very firm no if she's being excessively bitchy, but I try not to escalate.

She's very bossy and does not listen to other animals' social cues. I have 2 cats and an older foxhound that are incredibly patient with her (to a fault). She loves to pester them to play, which I typically intervene when its not consensual.

I'm a veterinarian and I feel like I generally have a good read on body language, but behavioral management isn't taught much. I know how dangerous mouthing behavior can quickly advance and it's frustrating that I can't get a semblance of control.

She can learn quickly. She has a designated seat near the table when we eat to keep her from jumping on the table to steal food (preprogrammed behavior). She loves fetch and will chase a ball for hours. She'll thrash a toy to death. I feel like she gets a lot of her excess energy out.

The only form of discipline she will respect is a spray bottle, but that is gradually escalated with a verbal warning, hand on bottle, pointing bottle, then spray. 😬 I try not to use it unless she will not listen and it's rare it's close enough to be helpful. I know it's not a good method, but I feel as if I've reached the end of my rope.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to manage such a big personality in a small dog? Any tips for "discipline" when they don't respect the "no" or disengage?

Noodle Has a BIG Personality - Advice Needed

BIG Personality Min Pin