Pup Training Help!

[Dogman]

We have a 7 month old pup - he’s a good old Heinz 57 with some terrier, whippet, collie and other in there. We got him from the dogs trust after much careful consideration when he was 8 weeks old. He is our first family pet. Kids are 11 and 9.

I love him very dearly but feel like I’ve let him down on the training side. I just don’t know what to do - I’ve done pup classes pre lockdown but really need some guidance on what training I should be doing with him on an going basis to make sure he is happy and stimulated.

Main issue we have at the minute is walking. I have never seen a dog walk as badly on a lead. He pulls incessantly. If we are out and split up he cries so badly people think he’s being beaten. Recall has definitely dipped. I think there’s separation anxiety going on as well with that. It’s got to the point where it’s embarrassing being out with him and DH and I bicker.

I know I need a behaviourist and have no issue with this - but I can’t do it now with lockdown where we live. What can I do right now to help? Could any of the absolute dogs or similar help. I need a structure to work to.

Help!

[Dogman]

This is a picture of him.

[oo0Tinkerbell0oo]

Re the walking issue. You will need time to do this.....if he pulls stop, wait until he engages with you then move on. Everytime he pulls stop, even take a few steps back.....you'll be amazed at how quickly they stop pulling.

[Stackers382]

Our pup is 9 months. Over the last couple of months his behaviour has been a disaster and I thought I’d broken him. He’s settled down so much over the last couple of weeks. I expect you’re hitting adolescence.

The stop start training to stop him pulling never worked with us. What did work is to have something really tasty-hot dog, chicken, beef in one hand held low by your side. Get him focused on the treat and give it to him every few steps. It makes walks super frustrating but it definitely helped. You’ve just got to shelve the idea of lovely family walks and think of them as training sessions until they improve. Our pup was dragging me down hills at one point, he was awful but he is much better though still a work in progress. Someone on here used a tube of primula squeezy cheese by her side-I thought that was a great idea.

Go easy on yourself. Adolescent dogs are really hard work.

[Peachypips78]

I was going to say 'teenage behaviour' too. Apparently their training regresses at this point.

Great trip re pulling @oo0Tinkerbell0oo

[oo0Tinkerbell0oo]

@Peachypips78

I was going to say 'teenage behaviour' too. Apparently their training regresses at this point.

Great trip re pulling *@oo0Tinkerbell0oo*

Thank you...
As above, different methods work for different dogs, this worked for mine.

[vanillandhoney]

Definitely teenage regression!

It will get better in about 10 months time

[heatseeker14]

Our pup had a spell of pulling really badly around 7-8 months. It was like he had lost his mind. Everything was suddenly so exciting. Thankfully the worst part only lasted a week or so. I do remember one particularly bad day when he pulled so badly my son had to continue the last part of the walk to school on his own. Unfortunately as the dog saw him walk away out of sight he started to make the loudest most awful noise I’ve ever heard. People were staring and a couple of people asked if everything was okay. I was mortified. We just kept up with the training we learnt at puppy class, the method that @Stackers382 suggested. It’s called the 300 peck training method. He is 10.5 months now and is fantastic. I let my teenage son take him out on his own for the first time yesterday. I wouldn’t have considered that 2-3 months ago.

[LaughingDonkey]

@Dogman

I'm experiencing similar with my 9 month (already?? time flies) old pup (Frenchie). The rebellious behavior started about 2 months ago (teenager stage ) so we are back to basics.

Pulling on the lead - as previous posters said either stopping (taking few steps back) or practicing heel command with yummy, smelly treat in your hand in front of the pup. I do stopping mainly when walking (as soon as I feel tension on the lead - if I start pulling him back, he will pull forward, so stopping and taking few steps in opposite direction). I do heel command randomly - in the field, in the house. I take out the yummiest treats and call him, get his focus, command to sit by my side and then walk with treat in front of his nose and repeat heel. Also I change walk (slower, quicker, stop).

Recall - again back to basics. I found the best way to recall is with his favorite ball (he can't resist a ball ). When he runs towards me I repeat his name. If he gets interested in something and ignores my calls, I then run in opposite direction waving my arms and call his name (I amuse a lot of people )

There are plenty of books and Youtube videos! Do not worry, it is just a stage and you do not need behaviorist. Just go back to basics!

Good luck

[PollyPolson]

Loads of trainers and behaviorists are offering advice via zoom. Do get in touch with some . This is an easy job for a trainer. They will create a clear individual training plan to get you back on track.