Am I spoiling her?

[foothillr]

I've been wondering if perhaps my family and I are spoiling our new addition to much. Some of you know that we got " Hunny" at an early age, really too early(5 1/2 wks) because of what we thought was a poor enviroment for her to continue to be raised in. She's quite healthy, has had her second series of vacs this week and looks great. Since she came home with us she has been sleeping with us nightly ( I can see you all rolling your eyes) and we enjoy her snuggling as much as she does. What concerns us is that when she needs to attend to "business", she waits till we pick her up and take her out.
Shes 11 wks now and not getting any lighter, and I would prefer not to have to do this when shes grown! The problem is getting her to walk on her own. If we don't pick her up and take her out she'll, well, you know. She even has sat there looking us in the eye and do it in front of our faces. Is this "doggy defiance" if there is such a thing? I've started making dog treats for her which she loves but I haven't had the chance to make more. She knows it too ... not treatie, no behavey. Am I going overboard and being too much of a softie and instilling bad habits in my boxer? I can't blame her so I can only turn to me. Any suggestions?
Oh yeah, she really REALLY likes to bite. She knows "no" but unfortunately it has to come from me and it takes a REALLY BIG, LOUD, GRIZZLY type to get her attention ... which I hate to do. Thanks for your help.

 

[SoleilBxrs]

if you can tell when she has to go, start putting a leash on her and let her out that way. slowly when she gets the idea that she needs to walk to the door, you can take her off the leash. hope that helps.. good luck!

-Kat, Cassius and Nikita

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

Sounds like she's got you pretty well trained but I know it's hard to resist those puppy eyes... Kat's leash suggestion is a good one. I would definitely stop picking her up!

As for the biting, it's kind of normal pup behaviour, but still start training not to. I would suggest just to ignore her the second she bites. Just turn away and stop playing. Eventually she'll figure out that biting = ignoring. And praise like nuts when she licks or "mouths" instead of biting. She probably didn't get the benefit of learning bite inhibition from her siblings, so it's going to be your job to teach her.

Good luck! Aren't they a handful?

Jen and Willis