Back to OB 101 for me.

[Lilie]

This weekend was a busy weekend for us. We had company running in and out all day long. Hondo was horrible. Ill behaved, wouldn't listen, didn't care, stole food from someone's hand, but worse, he threatened a neighbor whom he knows very well. (The neighbor bought a new motor cycle and Hondo decided he didn't like the bike or the neighbor anymore.) First I put Hondo on a leash, but that only hightened his mood. I had to kennel Hondo. Something I've NEVER had to do because he was uncontrollable.

This morning I was thinking about how I needed to fix this. I thought at 20 months, he must be going through the 'teen age' part of his life. How I needed to up the training, use some horrible torture devices if needed. His behavior was just not acceptable.

But then something dawned on me.

Hondo has always been dependable. If I said 'Come' he did. 'Sit' he did. 'Wait' he did. 'Leave it!' he did. Ect. Ect. At some point in his life, I stopped thanking him. I stopped telling him "Good Boy". I stopped rewarding him. I opened the door, told him to wait and he did. I released him. No reward beyond the 100 yard dash out the door.

At what point in Hondo's head did he decide that his good behavior wasn't worth his own gradification?

At what point in my head did I decide that I no longer had to reward good behavior? And why would it suprise me that Hondo decided to start making his own choices?

So, it's back to OB 101 for me . I'll take Hondo along only to fix what I've broken. He's a good boy, and very forgiving. I'm sure he won't hold this against me.

[Wolfiesmom]

Could it be that he was just overwhelmed with all the commotion going on? I know how we train and train for all kinds of situations, but that many people coming and going might have just overstimulated him. I recently had a baby shower here with a lot of people, and Wolfie started misbehaving. He even pulled down all the dvds in the playroom. He never touches anything! I put him outside for the rest of the day, until most of the people were gone, and he calmed down.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Lilie

So, it's back to OB 101 for me . I'll take Hondo along only to fix what I've broken. He's a good boy, and very forgiving. I'm sure he won't hold this against me.

...but you might want to hide your shoes just in case.

[Lilie]

[QUOTE=Wolfiesmom;2152588]Could it be that he was just overwhelmed with all the commotion going on? QUOTE]

I'm sure that does bare some of the responsiblity to his reactions. But Hondo has always been an aloof dog. He sits in the shadows and watches. This was not his behavior this weekend. He was stealing food, he hiked his leg on a cooler and urinated, he body slammed my old Golden when I banished him to the back yard. While I was at the barn he yanked hubby so hard (on the leash) he actually flipped the wooden rocker over with hubby in it! (We were all sitting outside.) He NEVER pulls on a leash. EVER!

I have to really step up to the plate on this one. He has never been a dog to be taken lightly, and I've pretty much dropped the ball on him. I do work him on his leash at least once a week when we take him off property. When I work him I'll reward him with either treats or praise. But off leash, at home...nope. I just don't think I do anymore. When I call him to me, he comes. I expect it and don't tell him good boy.

[CarrieJ]

So, it's back to OB 101 for me . I'll take Hondo along only to fix what I've broken. He's a good boy, and very forgiving. I'm sure he won't hold this against me.

Hey, could you save me a seat?
I've been dreadfully inconsistant with Alice, I completely understand what you're saying.

[Courtney]

Hey-alot of owners would have made excuses for their dogs behaviour. Good for you for recognizing some things that need fine tuning w/ Hondo.

We all get caught up with our daily routines & it's easy to let a "good boy" slip (I sometimes do this w/ my children & have to remind myself everyone wants to hear "hey good job" every now & then).

It really does sound like he had an "off" day.

[Hunther's Dad]

Originally Posted by CarrieJ

Hey, could you save me a seat?
I've been dreadfully inconsistant with Alice, I completely understand what you're saying.

I hope that's a big bus. I need a seat too, sometimes.

[Pattycakes]

Originally Posted by Hunther's Dad

I hope that's a big bus. I need a seat too, sometimes.

I agree...save me a seat too.

I've had to go back in training to fix things that I know I broke as well.

[RogueRed26]

I am already on that bus. We decided to retake beginner obedience once again to refine our come command and socialization. I tell you, the training never ends. =)

[GSDkid]

Originally Posted by Lilie

He NEVER pulls on a leash. EVER!

I wish my GSD was like that.