Hi Terri, Here's a few suggestions for you. Walk her when she is hungry, before breakfast and before supper. When you get home you take the time to settle yourself and let her have a short rest, time for a cup of tea and then feed her and let her rest afterwards. Loose leash, don't ever get into a battle of the pulls it simply doesn't work and you'll end up with a sore shoulder or back. She goes in front you stop, she pulls to the side make like a rock and fold your arms, the very minute her attention wanders from you change direction. You might not get very far on your walk but she will learn that she gets nothing if she doesn't pay attention to you. When she does the tumbling chimp and dead dog stunt which Berners are famous for don't drag her just stand and look away and start eating a human treat and give her nothing. Don't bait for bad behaviour, don't cajol, don't negotiate. Wait her out and then when she decides to get up move on. Whatever you do don't be turning back to look at her, you can chat to her, talk to yourself about the weather whatever but if she is doing the "I am rock" thing then turn away and wait it out. Berners hate not having attention and hate missing out on something so make out you have something else entertaining you and snack on something yourself. When her attention turns to you just say "nice to see you again, let's go".
Your menstrual cycle has nothing to do with her behaviour and does not elicit a female challenge. It may be that your PMS or hormonal change of behaviour, and yes we girls all have them:-) may not put you in the most patient and tolerant of moods for training, ask any husband:-)) The golden rule for dog training is to be in a happy positive mood and when training dogs keep it short and rewarding and always end on a good note. Go back to some basics in the house, asking for a trick before dinner even if it's just a sit and wait for a few seconds:-) Rose T.
