adolescent dog angst

[fishie]

Remus is 10months this week. He is big (GR/GS/husky x) and pretty well behaved in general. I would like some general chat and advice about what is normal behaviour and how to cope with it. I have had dogs before but not a puppy for 20 years and this one is a bit more independent in thought and deed than I am used to.

On walks he is now getting distracted and not coming when I call. I don't want to end up not letting him off the lead for this because I can see him being even more reluctant to return. He does pretty good recall to dh but not me and I had to run after him the other day. Shall I get some better treats? I feel dried liver or some crisps might bring myself to greater prominence in his mind.

He also has to wear a headcollar when I walk him as he pulls too much. I am doing some work on this but he is just very excited at first and it isn't safe crossing a busy road, getting past drinkers, smelly pond etc without it. So he doesn't like me putting that on him either which isn't helping.

He's spending today and possibly tomorrow with a dog sitter as dh has sprained his ankle, can't walk him and I'm at work. It will be interesting to get her feedback.

Finally, what about neutering? He still isn't lifting his leg to wee but I do suspect that new hormones might have something to do with wayward behaviour and he is paying plenty attention to bitches. I really would prefer to leave this until he is fully grown unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Bit long sorry.

I'm working on the same problems with recall with my 9 month lab. We've been using a 50ft tracking lead in big open spaces, I just let the lead trail behind him and he thinks he's off lead. Recall is improving, he still does the occasional mad dash towards a dog in the distance but now I can sometimes get him to stop mid flight and come back to me. If he carries on running away I put my foot on the lead to stop him. We use a bungee shock absorber so sudden halt doesn't damage his neck.

ooh yes I've got one of those somewhere, will dig it out. Then I can have three leads on my walk (already got an extendable and normal short one for working on the not pulling). I will be well equipped!

Yep get him on a long line and just remind him of what to do for recall. Get it right now and you will have him sorted.

I know owners hate putting dogs on long lines but it will be for a short while and then he will have brilliant recall.

Attach it to a harnass and still reward like mad when he is with you. I also have a postive reinforcement area - anywhere around me is fun fun fun(well if you are a dog) so if he is nearby he can get treats, or a game or a stroke whatever he loves he best but it only happens near me. So soon he will realise that the best place to be is with you.

This will pass!

oh grrrrr. i find that dh has chopped the long leash in half. why would you do that? and the stupid massive handle on the hated extendable lead has got caught in the front door and cracked glass. my dog walk tomorrow evening. what should I concentrate on?

dog ran away from dog walker chasing a bitch and ended up crossing road by himself! he did get a fright, i saw him out of the window and we rushed out but not in time. it is an A road and luckily was unusually quiet but he can't be allowed to do that again.

he is sex crazed what can I do? he is desperate to see other dogs and will rush to them when off lead, so now i'll only let him off when we're already with other dogs. but if there's a bitch he'll be off regardless (he did this to dh yesterday). and how's he going to learn to come back to me? he doesn't even turn his head when he's on the (long) lead and I call him.

I am reluctant to get him neutered before he's physically mature, he's defininely grown a bit in the past week and still more to go I am sure. And is this just a phase? help me. he is very trainable but I am not the main walker, dh is, and he just seems to have more authority over dog than I do.

for a start i wd get him neutered and maybe go back to training classes. both things helped with our dog when he was a teenager.