Biting me?

[JuniorxMyxLove]

My dog has always been so sweet and cuddly. But lately, she's been snapping at me. She has never broken the skin or anything, but this isn't like her. Last night, me and my sister were trying to play volleyball but Sadie(my dog) ket jumping up and we were afraid she would get hurt so I called her over to take her into the house. Now when she comes to me...or anyone else in my family, she flops over on her back because we have to sound really mad to get her to come (yeah its the only thing that works) so what I do is grab her collar (so she doesn't run away again) and tap her belly and go 'clear' because we taught her toplay dead and that's how we let her go. Normally she jumps up, all wiggly, and lets me lead her into the house. But last night she let me grab her collar and everything, but after she jumped up, she SNAPPED at my wrist. And then again. It was really wierd.

Does anyone know how I can get her to stop? Or what might be causing this? We're afraid to tell my dad about it because he'll get rid of her. :[

[catnapper]

Sounds to me like she was enjoying herself and didn't want to go in. I wouldn't worry about it. BUT what I would worry about is HOW you call her to come. Come should ALWAYS be positive. NEVER mean or mad. Never. Ever. NEVER. Got it? Never! This could be the beginning of a new routine for her now that she realizes she's got your attention for doing it.

Rules of come:
1) Make it fun. Make it a great experience where the dog is rewarded for coming.
2) Always reward the dog. The reward can be play, praise, food, toys... whatever motivates your dog.
3) NEVER call them to come for something they don't want to do (in your case, coming into the house.) Go GET HER, and take her to where you want her to go if she doesn't want to go. If she knows its something she won't like, she won't come. You've already figured that one out because you stated she never comes when called unless she thinks she's in trouble, then she lays down in a VERY submissive position. Thats not good.
4) Use another word if she's not coming on the word come. My dog comes for a ton of words.... "cookie" "nap?" "where's your bone?" "look what I have!" "you want this?" The sound of a cat food can opening. The shake of the treat bag. Anything that makes your dog come to you can be used to your advantage. Just use it in positive times so that she'll come to you no matter what, no matter when.
5) Go get them if its something they think is punishment. Punishment ot my dog is a nail trim or getting into the car. I get her and take her to wherever I need her. She'd never come to me if every time she came, I did something she hates.
6) Keep it positive! FUN! PLAY! (I know this is rule #1, but its most important ;))

[sumbirdy]

Maybe she feels insecure because she thinks you are always mad at her. I agree with catnapper, never call your dog in an angry way. That just teaches them to fear you and some dogs snap when they are afraid. To get my dogs to come I kneel down and sound overly excited, like the best thing they would want to do is come to me. Then I give them extra lovings and possibly a treat if I have one handy.

[JuniorxMyxLove]

-sigh- we've tried the other words and overly excited. She's always caught on, and not come. She just gets more excited and runs in circles around us. especially if we're super happy. she's quite hopeless. (for now lol)

anyways, it's almost 10pm, so i gotta get off. maybe ill add more later. but now, its cuddle time with sadie :D

-melanie