Dog getting naughty

[Aw12345]

Just looking for tips/advice about how to look after my doggy best.

He is 2.5 years old, neutered, mini schnauzer. He has always been pretty good but recently has stopped coming back when I call him. He has always been a bit (a lot!) of a barker so don't know what to do about this. I'm heavily pregnant now so don't know if this has anything to do with anything?

He gets at least 2 walks a day, plays with other dogs, and doggy daycare once a week. Never left by himself for more than 4 hours at a time.

Is he bored? How can I stop him being bored?
Why is he suddenly so naughty off the lead? What can I do about it!?

Any tips/advice gratefully received!

When your dog is off the lead how exciting are you? Because if you just walk with him and then when finished you put the lead on then he's going to look for something better.

I am always having to interact with my dog all the time off lead. Whether that's throwing a ball, asking him to hunt a ball I have hidden, playing chase etc. Because I am more exciting that anything else his recall is great. It was awful non existent as a teenager so we have really had to work hard at it. I also make sure I make him sit and wait several times on walks when I then go up to him and grab his collar and then treat him. This is so he doesn't only associate that with the end of the off lead walk.

Is he being naughty around the house? I find the calmer I am the calmer he is. His behaviour can be worse when he is overtired.

Tbh I we just walk along when we're walking him... maybe that's why he's not coming back.. hadn't thought of him finding us boring! I'll give that a try today, being more interesting on walks! Makes sense actually.

He is pretty good around the house apart from the barking, but I guess if he's bored then he's attention seeking. Do you leave your dogs toys out all the time?

Thanks a lot :-)

Mine doesn't really play with toys that much anymore. He does however love playing ball in the garden but we limit it to a few minutes at a time.

However, I do give him a deers antler to chew every now and again and because I take it away after an hour he is always really excited to see it again. Therefore I would recommend you rotate any toys you leave out so they stay exciting.

Ok great, thanks very much! I'll put an action plan in place.

Thank you

I have a working cocker spaniel and when looking for breeds I did look at mini schnauzers. Both breeds were described as quite intelligent which I find translates to requiring mental stimulation more than physical.

Maybe think about teaching some new tricks or things like agility or fly ball. Anything that gets their minds working especially if they have to work with you as a team is good for tiring them out as well as helping that bond which is invaluable for recall.

My dog gets really happy in the park when she comes back to me because she likes the reaction she gets from me when she does a good recall.

She will often sit down and wait until I'm some distance away so I'll call her and she'll get to see me jumping, waving my arms in the air and shouting 'wheee' - realise if you're heavily pregnant jumping is probably out of the question - but yes, making yourself the most interesting think in the park is an enormous help towards a good recall.

We always have a ball or two lying around as we tend to have a few minutes play here and there throughout the day, which either she or I might instigate. She also has her favourite soft toy, in fact the only soft toy she likes, out all the time just in case she feels the need to have a chuck around with it.

I recall my dogs frequently, just to give a treat and send them off again. Sometimes I also clip leads on, treat, remove leads, treat again and send off. They see coming back as a nice option (both are incredibly food motivated) and they know it often doesn't mean the end of fun. It's the only thing I've never stopped giving treats for every single time (everything else I slowly stop giving treats for, once behaviour is established).

I also suddenly change route frequently and sneakily when dogs are distracted. It makes them responsible for sticking with me, rather than them being sure of where I am.