Will a GSD become more obedient after becoming an adult?

BGSD · 07-11-2011, 07:24 PM

Since this is my first dog, I'm not too familiar with the behavior changes that correspond to the age of a dog, but I'm wondering if my now 6 month old will be more co-operative to obedience and other forms of training when he reaches adulthood.

He's obviously smart enough because he learns new commands pretty quickly, but he refuses to obey them unless he wants to, while at other times he acts like he has ADHD.

I use positive re-reinforcement, but it seems impossible to make him obey a command immediately and reliably.

doggiedad · 07-11-2011, 07:30 PM

"when a dog isn't doing what you want
you have to ask yourself what am i doing
wrong". i read that somewhere.

fuzzybunny · 07-11-2011, 08:08 PM

I find them to be generally buttheads at that age and I do find obedience improves as long as you keep working at it with them.

Freestep · 07-11-2011, 08:14 PM

Yes, the adolescent phase is when they typically "go deaf" and start acting like buttheads. With consistent training and fair leadership, they do grow out of it, and become the best dog you've ever had.

Ruthie · 07-11-2011, 08:20 PM

Assuming that you are training decently, YES! Bison went through several periods of being a butt head. It was like he would just wake up one morning and decide to challenge everything I told him to do.

He hasn't out grown the ADD, but he is very obedient now. The years of banging the head against the wall are well worth it. He is an awesome companion.

Now we are starting all over with Grizzly.

Lin · 07-11-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freestep

With consistent training and fair leadership, they do grow out of it, and become the best dog you've ever had.

Sure do! And it only takes about 7-9 years or so...

zyppi · 07-11-2011, 10:13 PM

repetition, repetition, repetition... on all exercises.

Then, yes, adulthood will see an obedient dog.

dogmama · 07-11-2011, 10:45 PM

I think it's like the Terrible Two's. When Zack was going through that lovely (not!) stage, I made sure he got LOTS of exercise. A tired puppy is a good puppy!

You said you're training with positive reinforcement - good. Make sure it's something he likes - e.g., hot dogs, cheese, a tug toy, ball, whatever. He only gets it when he has obeyed a command. He does not get rewarded for breathing air.

The Packman · 07-11-2011, 10:48 PM

Speaking for Elly May...I'd say, yes and no !

Caitydid255 · 07-11-2011, 11:09 PM

From about 8 months till present (12+ months) Freyja has developed this magical button that tunes all of my commands out until she feels they are worth her effort. On the bright side Angus at from 2 years until now is perfect, he's my hope that things will get better. Granted at 6 months the commands started "clicking" and for that 2 months she learned like there was no tomorrow. My recommendation, teach your commands/tricks and they will learn them...just rely on repeat, repeat, repeat...

07-11-2011, 07:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGSD Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 450	Will a GSD become more obedient after becoming an adult? Since this is my first dog, I'm not too familiar with the behavior changes that correspond to the age of a dog, but I'm wondering if my now 6 month old will be more co-operative to obedience and other forms of training when he reaches adulthood. He's obviously smart enough because he learns new commands pretty quickly, but he refuses to obey them unless he wants to, while at other times he acts like he has ADHD. I use positive re-reinforcement, but it seems impossible to make him obey a command immediately and reliably. __________________ The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me? - Sir Walter Scott

07-11-2011, 07:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,853	"when a dog isn't doing what you want you have to ask yourself what am i doing wrong". i read that somewhere. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

07-11-2011, 08:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
fuzzybunny Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,824	I find them to be generally buttheads at that age and I do find obedience improves as long as you keep working at it with them. __________________ Carolyn Jazz, Shiloh Shepherd, 2.5 years old, CGC HIC Bunny, GSD X, 5.5 years old

07-11-2011, 08:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	Yes, the adolescent phase is when they typically "go deaf" and start acting like buttheads. With consistent training and fair leadership, they do grow out of it, and become the best dog you've ever had. __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

07-11-2011, 08:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ruthie Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,495	Assuming that you are training decently, YES! Bison went through several periods of being a butt head. It was like he would just wake up one morning and decide to challenge everything I told him to do. He hasn't out grown the ADD, but he is very obedient now. The years of banging the head against the wall are well worth it. He is an awesome companion. Now we are starting all over with Grizzly. __________________ Amy Bison (Indo vom Triton) CGC Grizzly vom Buchonia RIP- BearGatorMoose Reflections on my Dog- God/Dog Blog

07-11-2011, 10:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
zyppi Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Back home to Louisiana! Posts: 4,946	repetition, repetition, repetition... on all exercises. Then, yes, adulthood will see an obedient dog. __________________ Anne Nothing is as simple as it seems or as complicated as we make it~ Attitude is everything -- Pick a good one! Sofie AKA Ussina vom Haus Brezel Jack von Jagenstadt Tatty - Burmese bad cat

07-11-2011, 10:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
dogmama Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 310	I think it's like the Terrible Two's. When Zack was going through that lovely (not!) stage, I made sure he got LOTS of exercise. A tired puppy is a good puppy! You said you're training with positive reinforcement - good. Make sure it's something he likes - e.g., hot dogs, cheese, a tug toy, ball, whatever. He only gets it when he has obeyed a command. He does not get rewarded for breathing air. __________________ To train a dog, you must be more interesting than dirt.

07-11-2011, 10:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
The Packman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: The foothills of the Great Smoky MTS Posts: 208	Speaking for Elly May...I'd say, yes and no ! __________________ Whoever said you can't buy love musta never owned a dog !

07-11-2011, 11:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Caitydid255 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 503	From about 8 months till present (12+ months) Freyja has developed this magical button that tunes all of my commands out until she feels they are worth her effort. On the bright side Angus at from 2 years until now is perfect, he's my hope that things will get better. Granted at 6 months the commands started "clicking" and for that 2 months she learned like there was no tomorrow. My recommendation, teach your commands/tricks and they will learn them...just rely on repeat, repeat, repeat... __________________ Freyja GSD- 6/21/10 Angus GSD-02/11/07 Bevin (princess kitty) 08/27/07 Teddy (collie)- 1990-09/13/2006 Franklin (collie) 1996-06/26/2006

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