I’m coming to you again about my Australian Shepherd who is now just over 7 months old.
Unfortunately, for the past few days, I've noticed he’s really struggling with his recall. I’m wondering if he’s just starting that "terrible teens" phase.
At home or during training classes, he responds instantly. Not long ago, it was the same story outdoors too, with just a few exceptions (cats, other dogs, people).
Up until now, I’ve been very careful to praise him every time he comes back, give him a treat, and make sure I don’t put him back on the lead every single time so he doesn’t associate the recall with the walk ending.
But now, I’m the one who ends up chasing him around using the GPS tracker when it's time to head home. And the only time he actually responds to the recall, he gets put back on the lead because I have to get back. (I won’t lie, it’s so frustrating not being able to play with my dog because he’d rather just bolt into the woods...)
Do you have any advice? Is this just a typical adolescent phase? Should I keep him on a lead until this period passes?
Have a great day,
Yo
Translated from French
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Thanks Bobkat. That’s a good idea, but I have to admit that at 8pm in the woods, there aren't exactly many people about :-D It’s quiet enough normally, but even more so at that time of night...
I went to a Christmas market... it was a nightmare... between the barking and him jumping up at anyone who paid him any attention, it really wasn't much fun...
Energiesaulaire, the upside is that your Shiba doesn't weigh over 3 stone 😁
Mind you, if I had nothing left to teach him, I’d only get bored...
I had a bit of a barking problem with my dog; she doesn't jump up at people, but she used to bark at them.
Look, I couldn't find a "guinea pig" either, so never mind, passers-by just had to do for her training. Anyway, she hasn't barked at them for a while now. She goes over to see them, we call her, and she comes back.
Don’t you run into trouble with people when your dog invades their personal space? I gathered he jumps up on people to say hello, which is my absolute nightmare. A dog jumped all over me at lunchtime today—result: filthy trousers. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s still pretty annoying...
Oh, absolutely, but that’s our only real hurdle. She’s perfect across the board, except for that one thing. And I don’t look at it as a lack of training; quite the opposite, really.
So, I’m going against the grain a bit here. I’m looking into training her to respect 'strangers’' personal space, while still letting her make a fuss of the people who actually enjoy her cuddles (and there are quite a lot of them!).
I’d love to keep practising but I can’t find a training partner, as he doesn’t jump up at me or the kids anymore—it’s only with strangers... We train at the dog club but it’s only once a week, so it’s almost pointless :'(
Yoyolut: regarding the jumping, people aren't usually very tolerant, and it’s understandable (fear, not wanting to get mucky, being knocked about, or just feeling crowded), plus there's the danger for vulnerable people, of course.
Stopping the jumping was one of the biggest challenges I had to work on with my dog; we had to use a long lead and do plenty of repetitions.
That’s got to be the first rule I learned at dog training: always make a big fuss of your dog when they finally come back, even if they’ve been leading you on a merry dance for an hour...
Do you not have any issues with people when your dog invades their personal space? I also gathered that he jumps up on people to say hello; that’s my absolute nightmare. At lunchtime today, a dog jumped all over me and I ended up with filthy trousers... it’s not the end of the world, but it’s still not exactly pleasant...
Energisolaire... the big question is how you define a "reasonable delay"... Because at the end of the day, my dog has always come back; admittedly, I’ve had to head in his direction sometimes, but he's always the one who's come back to me eventually. Just as well, really, as he's far too fast for me!
Ish, yeah, I see. In those cases, I never use punishment.
For us, there’s no real mystery to it. If she won't come back to the point where I actually have to go and fetch her, it’s because:
1. She’s found a smelly carcass and she’s rolling in it
2. She’s bumped into some people, usually with kids, and she’s invading their personal space
So most of the time, I find her just staying put. She isn’t trying to run off; she’s just refused to be recalled. That said, and it’s important to point this out, it’s been ages since I last punished her. It’s becoming less and less necessary.
Energisolaire... the whole question is how you define a "reasonable timeframe"... Because at the end of the day, my dog has always come back. Mind you, I’ve sometimes had to head in his direction, but he’s always the one who’s come back to me. Just as well really, as he’s far too quick for me!
