Do you agree that, despite your best efforts, what you have tried isn't changing her behavior?
This is because...
Dogs will challenge you more than 2-3 times if they don't respect you. If they do respect you then it will only be 3-5 times. Unfortunately you stopped just short of earning some respect.
Ignoring her is not a punishment or correction. If she were chewing on your best shoes ignoring her would not teach her to stop. She doesn't care about what you are NOT doing, it is what you DO that matters.
Crates should not be used as punishment,please try to teach her that the crate is a great place to be, and her safe haven from the world.
Praising her for only the good puts her pretty high on the pedestal, and does not teach her that the real world has boundaries on her behavior.
Her growling and challenging behavior tells me that there might be love in the room, but not much respect. She is acting like a spoiled child who doesn't want to go to bed or share her toys.
She has challenged you for the leadership of the house and she is winning.
I am sorry if I am criticizing what you have done, but I wanted to point out why these methods don't work. Dogs are dogs - whether they are tiny or tall, and they can all do damage if they are out of control. Small dogs often are the worst because they are so darn cute and they get away with soooo much.
I highly recommend you get into a training class. Miss Lucy needs to start earning her keep. She needs to work for the toys, the love, the food. She needs to be grateful to you that you take such good care of her. She needs to learn to share - the 'leave it' and 'drop & take it' commands will do her a world of good. When you say 'bed' she should sidle into the crate with no arguments. When you reach for her toy she should release it to you with no hesitation. Dirty looks? I don't think so - not in this house, and back talk is out of the question.
You need to start with a new attitude of tough love for this little lady, and those licks that you so adore will come pouring from her in gratitude.
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Love Them & Lead Them,
~Elizabeth & Doug
www.TenderfootTraining.com
Dog Training the Way Nature Intended
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