Teenagers

[SummerwoodSoaps]

So Stella is about 7.5 months old now and has really hit that teenage stage. So between her and my 14ys ds, I have all the drama I can stand lol.

Here are the issues I have been having with her and would love some advice.

Coming when called. Stella used to have a fab recall. I could call her off squirrels and she would come. Now when I call, she come about 1/4 the way and then will sit and look at me.

The second issue is leash pulling. She has really stopped just walking nicely at my side and heel isn't for much more than 10-15 steps before she is pulling again. I'm not really into using a prong, mainly because I don't know how to use it. Would a halter be good in this case?

The final issue is greeting other dogs. She is still in that super happy puppy mode. When she gets like that and won't focus on me or the commands, should I walk her away?

Even with attitude though I still love her

[Emoore]

I'm having pretty much the same problems, so I'm no help. Kopper's 11 months and full teenage mode.

As far as the recall, I've gone back to giving yummy treats every time I call him inside. Other than our back yard, his off-leash privileges have been suspended until he re-grows his brain.

Regarding the pulling, I tried a Sense-Ation front clasp harness and liked it very much. Then he broke the plastic size adjustment slider. So if you're going to go for that, I'd get the Sense-Able, which has metal hardware. The front clasp harness puts physics on your side. It's impossible to pull against something in the middle of her chest without turning around to face you. The more she pulls, the faster she's pulled around to face you.

I can't help you with the other dogs thing. Kopper goes into stupid-happy play mode too.

[Dooney's Mom]

Mine is almost 10 months old now- we hit teenage phase about the same time as yours. I had someone show me how to use the Prong collar, and it has worked wonders- as well as the going in the other direction when they pull. Other dogs--- search for LAT game- i can't believe how well it worked for us. Don't get me wrong- she is still full of herself alot, but not nearly as bad as she was. I doubled my obedience training and worked more on her sit stay in public places.

good luck!!!

[Lilie]

You are no longer the fun one. You are just the warden of the prison. Someone to be avoided and ignored.

When your pup (that is what it still is!) was young and you were teaching it recall, or even heel - you sang praises and threw parties when it got it right. Then it started getting it right 99% of the time...you forgot to continue to throw parties. You knew it would come. You expected it. You might say, "Good Stella" and then keep walking. But you lost your excitement. Stella lost interest.

Go back to 101. Start throwing parties again. Every time she is correct praise her. Remind her that you are the one that hangs the sun and moon. On the recall - as soon as she turns in your direction and starts to come, throw a party! "Good Girl! Whoo hoo! Puppy, Puppy Puppy!" Just like you did when you first started teaching recall. Make it fun again.

[Batzmomm]

I have the same problem. When he hit his teenager stage (he's in it now, just turned 1 yrs old) it's like everything went out the door. I still throw him parties when he does it right it's just getting him to do it is the problem. I bought him a gentle lead head collar and that has helped a lot. He still tries to pull and be the big man out front but not as often. My problem with him is 1/2 the time when he meets new dogs he's all puppy and the other 1/2 he shows his butt. I'm lost too, so any help would be great. His dog park and off leash previlages are on hold as well. He's trying his best to be the dominent one and he won't win that game! LOL

[jetscarbie]

A few of the members on here have posted a wonderful link on fitting prong collars. Can't remember the link.......but it was wonderful at teaching me how to put them on correctly. Maybe somebody will read this and know which link I am talking about and post it for you.


With my butthead....I switch things up on walks. Somedays I have treats, somedays a ball, somedays just a stick. He always *tries* to be good b/c he never knows what's in my pocket. Personally, I've had no luck with the harness. I think he pulls more with it on.

[SummerwoodSoaps]

Yesterday went well. We went to Lowes and Petsmart and her leash walking was much better not pulling execpt when she saw her trainer and wanted to see him.

Her recall problems happen a lot when we are playing. We have 3 acres, fully fenced, so the dogs are loose anytime we are out. While playing ball, for example, I throw it and call her back and she will just sit there and look at me. It doesn't matter if I have food or even another ball. We don't take a lot of walks right now because it is hunting season and I don't want to get hit with a stray bullet. Most of our play is on the property. I may work with her on the 20ft lead. If she doesn't come when called, do I just reel her in?

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by SummerwoodSoaps

If she doesn't come when called, do I just reel her in?

Yes.

[SummerwoodSoaps]

Thanks Emoore! I don't remember Sumo going through this tough of a teenage stage. But he is hubby's dog and I didn't do much of the training till he was much older. And he has a a much smaller stubborn streak than Stella lol.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by SummerwoodSoaps

Her recall problems happen a lot when we are playing. We have 3 acres, fully fenced, so the dogs are loose anytime we are out.

We have acerage as well. Once out on the run, the dogs really want to find new and interesting stuff to investigate. We may not be that interesting to them.

My husband and I created a game with our GSD when he was a puppy. We'd take him out in the pasture on a leash. Then hubby would walk away about 10', while I held Hondo facing him. Hubby would then kneel down and create a huge party - "Hurry, hurry hurry! Puppy! Puppy! Puppy! Come!" and I'd release. Hondo would rush over to him and get treats and praises. Then Hubby would turn Hondo around to face me and I'd repeat the same process.

The trick is to stop the game before your puppy stops the game. Only do it a couple of times. Make a huge deal out of it. As the game increases and your puppy goes to the opposite person 100% of the time, you increase your distance. If after you release your pup and it wanders off away from the other person then you've failed to stop the game before your pup did.

My GSD is now over 2 years old. We still play the game. He loves it, it is one of his favorite games.