[Lytleanajay]

My 4 month old pup, Daisy, barked at me a little while ago. I've been sick all day and my boyfriend has been at work so we haven't had the chance to take her for a walk. I've never owned a puppy before. Is it possible it was just a playful bark?

 

[EdDTS]

It's play. Puppies bark all the time, especially when you try to tell them to do something.

 

[Lytleanajay]

Thank you. I was worried she might be upset because I put her in her crate for the first time today. She's usually with my boyfriend and I every second. I have another question: she is always biting/tugging my hair and other girls hair. How do I break that habit?

 

[doxiemommy]

Besides playing, it can also be asking for attention. You're sick (sorry) and your boyfriend is gone, so she may just have some energy pent up!
For the hair biting/tugging, I would suggest that you check out the sticky "The Bite Stops Here". This has great info.

Find a sound that gets your pup's attention (and doesn't get her more excited). For some people that can be a yelp, or you can say HEY or OUCH (not in an angry way, just loud). Make that sound when she tugs on your hair. If you pick the right sound, it should make her stop and look. Then, you can go back to playing with her or whatever you were doing.
If she goes right back to tugging, make the noise again, but this time also leave the area, so that she loses times with you. Not for long, just 20-30 seconds. Then, go back to what you were doing.

It's a hassle, but do this EVERY time she tugs at hair, so that she realizes she will lose contact with you when she does it. You CAN gradually increase the time you leave the area, maybe up to a minute or two.

 

[momtolabs]

Yup,normal..Bentley barks at me all the time. We call him Mr.Boss.

 

[huskysmiles]

Yeah, barking is really normal. There could be a lot of reasons that Daisy is barking at you, she might want attention, she might want to play, she might want to go outside or she might just need to let off some energy. She could just be excited! Don't worry about the barking too much while she is so young.

Follow Doxiemommy's advice about the way to react to your dog when she tugs your hair. A loud cue should be enough to get her to stop doing it but believe me, it will take time.