[Dailydrool] A girl who expresses her opinions assertively

[Valerie via Dailydrool]

Our Mariah is an interesting creature--very loving but willing to curse out not only her slaves but also the vet and for that matter any tall dog that approaches her. She does not try to bite anyone (yet) but if someone tries to mess with her nails or touches her in a sore place, she growls and air snaps at them but clearly and deliberately misses connecting. If  a tall dog approaches her, she plants all four feet and lets go a combination of growling and baying at them in a huge voice that sends them running. The vet muzzles her for nail trims or procedures (like shaving around a hot spot) which might offend her as she gives him a piece of her mind and for all the world looks like a dog who MIGHT bite, but then doesn't.  Mariah told me off today for putting a t shirt on her after her bath and got a whack on the nose for it. None of the other three bassets (Bo, Harley, Mila) has ever acted this way. I am glad she does not bite but am a bit shocked by her intimidation tactics. Does this behavior sound familiar to anyone else? Val of Hawaii vlbzwick at yahoo.com