puppy hurling herself against doors, etc

Question
My 7 month old spayed, female sheltie has developed an intense habit of wanting to go outside simply to hurl herself at the patio door. She goes through the door turns around, starts barking and jumps as high and hard against the door as she can. I will be standing in the open door. I find myself protecting the door from her onslaught by blocking her and tipping her away when she does jump. She just tries to wait me out. this can go on for 10 minutes.
The only things that seem to work are to close the curtain so she can't see in so I know she is trying to manipulate me. Or, she will also give up sooner if I go outside with her, but this will not always be an option as I live in a very cold climate. Sometimes I don't know if she needs to go potty or if it is this. Mostly she doesn't seem to have any other need to go outside at the time. She will have just pottied, been walked or played with and then this- over and over again all evening long.  

I spend the first 2 hours of each working day with her and our other border collie mix on a long walk and playing so it can't be lack of exercise.  
She seems frantic during these episodes and I can't figure out why or what to do about them.  
I try to ignore her request to go outside when I know this is all she has in mind, but then she will start hurling herself against a media stand on which our caged bird sits. That is too frightening for the bird so I have to do something.  
The other dog seem dominant as she will give up toys to him, roll over for him during play, and he mostly gets the "good" spots to rest. I understand that I and my husband need to be pack leader and we play that roll.  
We had no problems with the older dog. He is a dream, I know all dogs are different, but what are we doing wrong?
Any ideas?


Answer
When she is out of control, you must crate her for her own protection until she calms down. See this article for tips on that: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7644-Detroit-Pet-Training-Examiner~y2009m7d29...
I would also consult a veterinarian to make sure there isn't some neurological issue affecting the situation.
Besides that, pay close attention and watch for triggers. Once these are identified they can be dealt with. Keep a journal of what happens immediately before each of these episodes and what helps to divert her attention but make sure that you are not inadvertently rewarding her behavior with petting, praise or even negative attention. Also, keep a journal of when she goes potty for a few days so that you get to know her habits. (If you feed at the same time every day and don't leave food and water out all the time it will help) Then you can say, "No, it's not time for potty yet."

And you must learn to ignore her with more determination than she has.