So pup, a working cocker spaniel, is almost 8 months old. She was great as a puppy, learnt things really quick, great recall, non destructive etc etc...
Now... she is an attention seeking barker, caught her trying to gnaw on a door frame - despite having several nicer options next to her - coffee wood chew, buffalo horn among others. But worst of all is her recall appears to have vanished. She will come back to the whistle or me calling her but instead of sitting in front of me like she used to, she'll run past me or around me and then run back to whatever she was doing - it's like she's laughing at me!! I never chase her and if I give a cheery bye and walk the other way she will follow but this is obviously not good enough. I have tried all kinds of treats to encourage her back but she knows if she stops long enough to take the treat I'm going to clip her lead back on and her fun is over.
I had heard about this teenage phase but I suppose I naively hoped it wouldn't happen to us as she'd been such a good puppy. Aside from using the long line again which I will do and practicing recall at home and in safe, empty places, what else can I do? She really just wants to play and explore, she isn't running into roads or anything like that but I don't want her ignoring me when other dogs are around!
Any advice on what got you through this phase and how long it lasted and reassurance it will end....as I hate the long line and she def needs the freedom of a good offlead run!!