Behavior Gone Very Bad, Suggestions?

afirefly · 02-06-2012, 09:44 AM

Sadie is 7 1/2 months now. We'd done the basic obedience training and clicker training to start. I do remember the girl working me had said that at 8 months, it's very typical to watch all the training go out the window and then it's start all over. The trainer is out of town for an extended vacation so right now I'm on my own. I definitely need some help.

When crossing an intersection on leash, Sadie now jumps in front me of and is facing me. She grabs at my arm or hand with her mouth. She tries to get the leash in her mouth and she play growls the whole time. This behavior only happens when crossing a street and a few times when we are leaving the dog park. She seems to be asserting herself quite strongly. All or any bad behavior like this only takes place outside. Inside she is a model dog. So, Obviously I have tried telling her "off" when she starts jumping and giving her less leash. But she is still able to do the jumping. Turning my back to her does not work either, nor does blocking her with my knee. I really need some suggestions on correcting this ...

I got a super long lead to begin some distraction training and thought I would go right back to training basics with her. I did a practice "Come Sadie" in the house with the extended leash. She didn't come on the first call or the second, so I gently pulled her in. She coward down to me most dramatically and would not touch the reward treat. When I removed the leash, she walked away almost afraid. I am going to try it outside to work on Recall and she what her response is.

She had caught on to playing ball very quickly and learned, "ready" and "bring it". We've been playing ball off leash since she was 4+ months. Now, she will not bring it back and is not food motivated either.

Anyway, I'd love hear suggestions or thoughts on some of this. The leash jumping issue I really need to correct quickly.

Thanks,
N

**MaggieRoseLee** · 02-06-2012, 09:57 AM

Exercise exercise exercise.

Sounds like you have a normal exhuberant (sp?) puppy. And all of us have trouble with getting one of those to behave. If we can bleed off some of the WHOOHOO then we get a more focused partner on the walk.

Do you have a place you can have your dog run off leash? I know I will DRIVE to an area like this for exercise. So I don't deal with the jumping/biting at all. No leash. Drive to the fields.........play ball or chuckit or other OFF leash activities, then back in the car and home with an exhausted (and well behaved) puppy. If I did wear the pup out, if I do a leashed activity later in the day my pup is better behaved and not bouncing off the wall.

Additionally, when you ARE walking with the leash, are you moving out at a brisk pace or just slowly walking at a normal (boring?) pace. Any leashed walk is NOT exercise for my dogs after about 9 weeks, but if I'm walking slowly it's really not going to do anything but flip my dogs out with the tedium so they will make the walk more fun (and I better watch out).

Truthfully, GENERALLY, I exercise my younger dogs OFF leash. I plan the event. Involve the car and driving to new places with new smells, sights, sounds, people dogs. I use my friends and their dogs. MEET AND CONTACT people from my puppy/dog classes who I know my pup get along with.

I also have tons of play and engagement activities planned in the yard.

click this --> Engagement - Key to Training

And for real 'training' I would wait for the dog classes to begin again with specific instruction. I'm definitely of the 'if what I'm doing isn't working then I need to STOP it and get real help from someone who knows what they are doing'.

But socializing and wearing my pups out really takes the pressure off and calms every situation down. A tired puppy really is a good puppy.

Here are some ideas:

German Shepherd puppy 15 Weeks - Socialization at Dog Fair - YouTube

My Hiking/Swimming Girl Dogs (and Quinn!) - YouTube

Family & Dogs Canoeing the Delaware River - August 2010 - YouTube

German Shepherd Socialization - Wildhaus Reunion Winter 2008 - YouTube

afirefly · 02-06-2012, 10:09 AM

Yes, I take her daily for off leash exercise, socialization, etc. So, she is getting the exercise and play time with other dogs, people and myself. We're often at off leash parks for an hour plus ...

Leash walking is typically to get from A to B in the mornings and evenings to do her 'business'. It's not fast paced or meant to be her exercise. Crossing main streets is the biggest issue and when she acts up.

Thanks for the link and videos

02-06-2012, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
afirefly Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 28	Behavior Gone Very Bad, Suggestions? Sadie is 7 1/2 months now. We'd done the basic obedience training and clicker training to start. I do remember the girl working me had said that at 8 months, it's very typical to watch all the training go out the window and then it's start all over. The trainer is out of town for an extended vacation so right now I'm on my own. I definitely need some help. When crossing an intersection on leash, Sadie now jumps in front me of and is facing me. She grabs at my arm or hand with her mouth. She tries to get the leash in her mouth and she play growls the whole time. This behavior only happens when crossing a street and a few times when we are leaving the dog park. She seems to be asserting herself quite strongly. All or any bad behavior like this only takes place outside. Inside she is a model dog. So, Obviously I have tried telling her "off" when she starts jumping and giving her less leash. But she is still able to do the jumping. Turning my back to her does not work either, nor does blocking her with my knee. I really need some suggestions on correcting this ... I got a super long lead to begin some distraction training and thought I would go right back to training basics with her. I did a practice "Come Sadie" in the house with the extended leash. She didn't come on the first call or the second, so I gently pulled her in. She coward down to me most dramatically and would not touch the reward treat. When I removed the leash, she walked away almost afraid. I am going to try it outside to work on Recall and she what her response is. She had caught on to playing ball very quickly and learned, "ready" and "bring it". We've been playing ball off leash since she was 4+ months. Now, she will not bring it back and is not food motivated either. Anyway, I'd love hear suggestions or thoughts on some of this. The leash jumping issue I really need to correct quickly. Thanks, N

02-06-2012, 10:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
afirefly Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 28	Yes, I take her daily for off leash exercise, socialization, etc. So, she is getting the exercise and play time with other dogs, people and myself. We're often at off leash parks for an hour plus ... Leash walking is typically to get from A to B in the mornings and evenings to do her 'business'. It's not fast paced or meant to be her exercise. Crossing main streets is the biggest issue and when she acts up. Thanks for the link and videos

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