I don't think my dog loves me

[FluffyMcnuffy]

:(

I have a 6 month old pup and don't get me wrong she's happy to see me when I get home from work, but when I'm in the house she never seems to want to sit with me or comes when I shout her.

She also has a habit of barging through doors/pushing me out of the way. Her recall is terrible, she won't even come when I shout her in the house. She also wont do "stay".
Can anyone help? I've had lots of working dogs before who've been very loving/easy to train, but this dog is far more independent and just doesn't seem interested.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 7 mo collie cross and she certainly barges me out of the way. She only really wants cuddles when about to fall asleep - the world is just too interesting at that age I think. I bet your dog loves you to bits xxx

Just an afterthought but it might be worth checking her hearing...

Fluffy if it helps, my youngest was very much like this but is extremely loving now. Clicker training is great for building a bond and for her recall and general obedience. Several short sessions per day. It was only recently, now he's two, that someone pointed out what a lovely bond we have and it made me realise how far we've come.

Oh her hearings fine, she's over like a shot if she hears even the slightest rustle of the treat bag .

I feel like a bit of a fool if I'm honest because I've had lots of dogs before and ive never felt like this :(. She is absolutely lovely and gorgeous and I know she loves me really. I've tried the clicker and she wasn't interested at all.

Thanks for the reassurance though, I haven't had a pup for about 10 years so I think I'm a bit out of the loop. My last dog before I had these two was impeccably trained . Ddog1 is fine (although still only 18 months and a naturally more obedient breed)! It's just Ddog2 who's proving rather more challenging! Do you think she will settle down with age?

Breed can have a lot to do with how much dogs want to be with you. Some are far far more independent that others.

I have weimaraners and they would sit on my lap when I was on the loo if I let them. Sometimes I long for a more stand-offish dog!

Stick with it. Is there a food she really loves? Cooked chicken cut up, cheese, hot dog sausage? Something she will really work for. Then load up the clicker really well with lots of click, treat, click, treat until click means tasty food.

Then simple things like click treat for looking at you when you say her name. And for sitting. And when out walking, every time she looks at you. You can use a word e.g. yes or good if that's easier for you. Carry a treat bag everywhere. Some dogs need to be taught to refer to you for guidance.

Spicy that is really helpful thanks. Will it not be difficult to clicker train when I have another dog (not clicker trained)?

I would separate them for short training sessions in the home. I didn't find it a problem out and about as my other dog is more interested in her ball but you can train both together when out. I know it depends a lot how much time you have but if you could fit in separate training walks with pup sometimes, I found that useful for bonding.

Very much like SpicyBear, I found that a very surprising spinoff from training classes was the amazing increase in the bond I developed with the dog. I took a foster greyhound (one of four in our house) with appalling recall to classes - at that stage I liked her but I wouldn't say we were close. Just be doing simple clicker exercises, and having time every week together at class plus practice at home did hte most amazing things to our relationship. It really was a quantum leap in how close and bonded we became. Her recall is still a bit patchy at times but she now looks to me in a completely different way and I to her.

Find yourself a really good positve trainer and go along to a few classes - bet you'll be surprised what a difference it makes. Good luck.

I agree with scuttlebutter too. :) of course your dog will love you. She's just young and skittish, it's up to you to build the bond with her and it will all be fine. It sounds like it's knocked your confidence a bit, so do some classes