She ignores commands unless I’m holding a treat.

[Booklover3]

We’ve got a 10 month old girl who’s three quarters lab with a bit of collie in her.

She’s ridiculously bright. Ridiculously food orientated.

Problem is that she’s now refusing to obey commands unless I’m holding a treat… is this a stage or have I messed up some how?

^ tried fussing… she’s far more interested in being rewarded with food.

I know this would be about a lab 🤣

She could be going through that hugely irritating adolescent phase. Is she being stubborn and newly disobedient in other ways too?

I had a cake the other day and she walked beside me PERFECTLY with no pulling. She has NEVER walked to heel before in her life. In fact she’s been a bit more pully than usual (until that time). Perhaps I should carry food whenever we go for a walk 😆

No other drastic changes in behaviour. Still wants to play most of the day. Still doesn’t really like waitresses or waiters (has never liked them approaching us when we are sitting).

Goes to bed nicely. Still stealing socks. Still loves a cuddle.

I have a crap day and your post about your slightly sassy dog made me smile. Thank you!

Classic rookie mistake is to hold the treat before the dog offers your the behaviour, so they will only perform when you have treats. You need to go back to keeping your hands neutral i.e. by your sides, or on your lap if you’re sitting, so when your dog does the behaviour, such as sit, use your clicker or say “good girl” THEN reach into your pocket/treat pouch/side for the treat. Then reset your hands by your side or on your lap. It’s called clean delivery but a lot of people can mess it up as you mentally are preparing to give your dog a treat so your hand will have a treat already.

@Thegiftthatkeepsongiving my dog knows if I have a treat anywhere on my person even I've put them in my pockets out of his sight - they know they're there as they can smell them

OP I walk a Labrador and I went to see him last night - the first thing he did on our walk was stick his nose in my pockets to try and raid the snacks

I have a basset hound, so very much the 'what's in it for me' attitude to commands. I can say the command and get ignored, get a treat and she suddenly obeys.

I honestly don't really care, it's the hound attitude and it's just part of their personality.

So if our dpup deems the treat not worthy of her effort she spits it out and goes off to do something else

When I say treat this is when I use her daily food allowance… she does not deem it treaty enough to perform her tricks 😅

So I can’t offer any help as she will only perform for her approved treats let alone no treat