Yup - I'm now conditioned to panic every time I think 'ahh, what a lovely Middle/recall/find it' because it won't last. To be fair though, the ducks look happy enough. Maybe Mas made their day?
Adolescent chat
- Thread starter Leanne
- Start date
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
You should see the video on Facebook! They were swimming around him 
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
I shouldn't laugh , I really shouldn't because I know I have all this to come ! At least he came out, eventually ! x
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Absolutely brilliant.
And you relay the story perfectly!
And you relay the story perfectly!
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Yes. This. Every. single. sodding. time
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Bloody hell I did it.
I managed to take both dogs on a walk on my own! I can take them both over the woods on my own because Leo just toddles along next to me so I can focus on Mas - however road walking I’ve never managed. Mas will walk lovely on the lead when it’s jusy me and him, add in another dog and/or distractions and it’s a lot more tricky.
So we did our usual woods walk and then did the 2 minute walk to the house. Both boys walking lovely so we walked straight past the house, up the road to the corner shop and back again. Only about a 10 minute walk altogether but brilliant for Leo as he gets his tails trimmed down a bit on the road and great training for the yellow menace!
Now back home with both boys munching on a pigs ear and im having a nice cup of coffee.
Why can’t everyday be a Sunday
I managed to take both dogs on a walk on my own! I can take them both over the woods on my own because Leo just toddles along next to me so I can focus on Mas - however road walking I’ve never managed. Mas will walk lovely on the lead when it’s jusy me and him, add in another dog and/or distractions and it’s a lot more tricky.
So we did our usual woods walk and then did the 2 minute walk to the house. Both boys walking lovely so we walked straight past the house, up the road to the corner shop and back again. Only about a 10 minute walk altogether but brilliant for Leo as he gets his tails trimmed down a bit on the road and great training for the yellow menace!
Now back home with both boys munching on a pigs ear and im having a nice cup of coffee.
Why can’t everyday be a Sunday
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Marvellous - we’ll done!
I have a new problem with Spencer.
He hates being left. This is a new problem
He’s fine at night and in the afternoon once he’s done his training and he’s tired. But, in the morning, even if I just pup out for a moment he shouts, scratches the door, jumps on the table, steals what he can reach etc etc. Leaving him with a Kong isn’t working either - he waits ‘till I’m back to eat it.
I’ve started from the beginning again - leaving him in a down stay for seconds, we are up to ten seconds
.
I have a new problem with Spencer.
He hates being left. This is a new problem
He’s fine at night and in the afternoon once he’s done his training and he’s tired. But, in the morning, even if I just pup out for a moment he shouts, scratches the door, jumps on the table, steals what he can reach etc etc. Leaving him with a Kong isn’t working either - he waits ‘till I’m back to eat it.
I’ve started from the beginning again - leaving him in a down stay for seconds, we are up to ten seconds
.
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
It’s still a battle with Mas. I’m not convinced that it’s anxiety driven because it seems to be more of a ‘but I want to see what your doing!!!!’ Weirdly he doesn’t bark when I leave the house - just if I leave the room. He sits on the windowsill and if he sees me drive off he settles straight down.
Weird dog.
Weird dog.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
I’ve not tried leaving the house when he’s not tired - I’ll give it a go and see what happens
.
- Location
- Isle of Man
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
I am aiming for a relaxing walk with just one dog! It only happens when no other living being is in our vicinity!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Luna used to be like this. I remember when she was still very young, maybe 14 weeks, I popped out to get my hair cut. The hairdresser was a five minute walk but I took the car so I could go back if necessary. I watched her on video and she settled down to sleep as soon as I drove off. I was gone a couple of hours and she didn’t make a peep. If I dared leave the room, though, she’d shout. She’s still very much a FOMO dog, though she’s far better than she was.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
God I walked so many figure of eights today I made myself dizzy . Just to round off the walk there was a very nice person who told me to get Hunter castrated....I think I imploded. Best part is that he was so well behaved at home....just a complete overexcited mess in public..never a dull moment
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Reuben is a funny little sausage , he also cries if I leave the room without him but I have made a habit of going outside when Paul isn't here , just for a few minutes .Not a peep , just either messing around with Nelly or on his bed x
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I hear ya Lorraine!God I walked so many figure of eights today I made myself dizzy . Just to round off the walk there was a very nice person who told me to get Hunter castrated....I think I imploded. Best part is that he was so well behaved at home....just a complete overexcited mess in public..never a dull moment
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
I’ve just had this from my supervisor - lots of good advice 
Adolescence – Don’t Fight It!
Adolescent dogs love to get your goat! Often, their greatest pleasure is getting you wound up over some trivial matter, such as refusing to have their paws wiped, stubbornly ignoring your commands to come in from the garden or playing “keep away” with your slippers or TV remote.
Remember, what fuels the misbehaviour is the conflict itself, so avoiding the battle is far more important than trying to win it. This means staying calm and refusing to get engaged in a battle of physical strength or a shouting match with your dog. Instead use your superior brain power to find a way around it.
For example, your dog has a tantrum and starts biting the towel whilst you are wiping his paws. Instead of getting frustrated and engaging in a wrestling match, stop, line up 4 treats on a surface where he can see them and give him 1 treat per paw for good behaviour. It may feel like bribery, but the positive result will prove that rewards work fast.
Imagine your dog runs under the dining table with a tissue. He tries to tempt you to come and take it from him – which you know will end up in confrontation. Don’t engage! Instead, keep your dignity and prevent the situation from escalating by simply walking away and ignoring him.
It’s NOT dominance!
If your dog repeatedly performs a behaviour which you find infuriating, such as barking, attention seeking, or pulling on the lead, ask yourself what’s reinforcing it.
These are not symptoms of dominance. Your dog is not trying to challenge you for leadership. It’s far more obvious and simple than that.
Dogs repeat behaviours that get rewarded
Rewards include eye contact, vocal contact and physical contact. They also include you getting wound up, cross and upset.
If your dog is getting any of these rewards for his misbehaviour, you need to change tactics and stop giving them immediately! Fold your arms, look away and walk out of the room if practically possible. Being ignored is a major consequence for dogs.
Don’t nag!
Question: What happens when you nag someone?
Answer: They ignore you!
Beware of nagging your dog. It’s nearly always better to be calm and quiet so that your dog listens when you do give him a cue. If you find that you are repeating yourself (Fido, come! Fido, stop that! Fido, no!) think about what triggers the behaviour you don’t like and find a strategy to prevent it. This is not giving in – it’s sensible management and will help to maintain a positive relationship between you.
Keep training!
During adolescence, it’s not unusual for owners to wonder if any of the training they did with their puppy was really worthwhile. If it seems like your dog has suddenly lost his hearing, or his desire to do anything to please you – don’t panic! The answer is to make sure that you keep on training.
Go back to basics and reinforce simple tasks, such as “sit” which you can reward your dog for getting right.
Good training can solve all of these irritating habits and more. However, in the meantime, it’s important to prevent them from happening to ensure that your dog doesn’t have a chance to practice them. For example, putting your dog on a lead when visitors arrive is safe and practical. Behaviour management like this may not be all singing and dancing, but it is effective and will save your sanity!
Use rewards wisely
If your dog finds “sit” on cue easy, then praise or a piece of dry food is adequate. However, if you want him to do something he finds more difficult, such as coming away from playing with other dogs, you will need to use treats at the top of the list – and lots of them!
How much fun are you?
Once off the lead, your dog is constantly weighing up whether you are worth paying attention to. If you are dull, cross, indifferent or half-hearted, your dog will make the easy decision that everything else is more attractive.
Make sure you are the centre of your dog’s world. Take a toy and play games with your dog, engage in hide and seek, make sudden changes of direction and be FUN!
Recall Rules
Praise is not enough – take really good treats with you and if they do a great recall give them a jackpot reward.
Walk with a friend if their dog has good recall – avoid those that don’t!
Don’t call your dog if you know he is likely to ignore you (i.e. just started to play with another dog)
Practice recall regularly, not just at the end of a free run or if you see a distraction.
Always be positive, even if your dog is slow to return – he will simply learn to ignore you if you reprimand him.
Your clever dog
Finally, it’s so important to realise that while many adolescent dogs can be difficult or challenging, they are also great fun, bright and entertaining. Enjoy this period in your dog’s life and help set the scene for the adult they are about to become.
Adolescence – Don’t Fight It!
Adolescent dogs love to get your goat! Often, their greatest pleasure is getting you wound up over some trivial matter, such as refusing to have their paws wiped, stubbornly ignoring your commands to come in from the garden or playing “keep away” with your slippers or TV remote.
Remember, what fuels the misbehaviour is the conflict itself, so avoiding the battle is far more important than trying to win it. This means staying calm and refusing to get engaged in a battle of physical strength or a shouting match with your dog. Instead use your superior brain power to find a way around it.
For example, your dog has a tantrum and starts biting the towel whilst you are wiping his paws. Instead of getting frustrated and engaging in a wrestling match, stop, line up 4 treats on a surface where he can see them and give him 1 treat per paw for good behaviour. It may feel like bribery, but the positive result will prove that rewards work fast.
Imagine your dog runs under the dining table with a tissue. He tries to tempt you to come and take it from him – which you know will end up in confrontation. Don’t engage! Instead, keep your dignity and prevent the situation from escalating by simply walking away and ignoring him.
It’s NOT dominance!
If your dog repeatedly performs a behaviour which you find infuriating, such as barking, attention seeking, or pulling on the lead, ask yourself what’s reinforcing it.
These are not symptoms of dominance. Your dog is not trying to challenge you for leadership. It’s far more obvious and simple than that.
Dogs repeat behaviours that get rewarded
Rewards include eye contact, vocal contact and physical contact. They also include you getting wound up, cross and upset.
If your dog is getting any of these rewards for his misbehaviour, you need to change tactics and stop giving them immediately! Fold your arms, look away and walk out of the room if practically possible. Being ignored is a major consequence for dogs.
Don’t nag!
Question: What happens when you nag someone?
Answer: They ignore you!
Beware of nagging your dog. It’s nearly always better to be calm and quiet so that your dog listens when you do give him a cue. If you find that you are repeating yourself (Fido, come! Fido, stop that! Fido, no!) think about what triggers the behaviour you don’t like and find a strategy to prevent it. This is not giving in – it’s sensible management and will help to maintain a positive relationship between you.
Keep training!
During adolescence, it’s not unusual for owners to wonder if any of the training they did with their puppy was really worthwhile. If it seems like your dog has suddenly lost his hearing, or his desire to do anything to please you – don’t panic! The answer is to make sure that you keep on training.
Go back to basics and reinforce simple tasks, such as “sit” which you can reward your dog for getting right.
Good training can solve all of these irritating habits and more. However, in the meantime, it’s important to prevent them from happening to ensure that your dog doesn’t have a chance to practice them. For example, putting your dog on a lead when visitors arrive is safe and practical. Behaviour management like this may not be all singing and dancing, but it is effective and will save your sanity!
Use rewards wisely
If your dog finds “sit” on cue easy, then praise or a piece of dry food is adequate. However, if you want him to do something he finds more difficult, such as coming away from playing with other dogs, you will need to use treats at the top of the list – and lots of them!
How much fun are you?
Once off the lead, your dog is constantly weighing up whether you are worth paying attention to. If you are dull, cross, indifferent or half-hearted, your dog will make the easy decision that everything else is more attractive.
Make sure you are the centre of your dog’s world. Take a toy and play games with your dog, engage in hide and seek, make sudden changes of direction and be FUN!
Recall Rules
Praise is not enough – take really good treats with you and if they do a great recall give them a jackpot reward.
Walk with a friend if their dog has good recall – avoid those that don’t!
Don’t call your dog if you know he is likely to ignore you (i.e. just started to play with another dog)
Practice recall regularly, not just at the end of a free run or if you see a distraction.
Always be positive, even if your dog is slow to return – he will simply learn to ignore you if you reprimand him.
Your clever dog
Finally, it’s so important to realise that while many adolescent dogs can be difficult or challenging, they are also great fun, bright and entertaining. Enjoy this period in your dog’s life and help set the scene for the adult they are about to become.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Great advice!!
I am going to also use this advice on my 11 year old son!!
I am going to also use this advice on my 11 year old son!!
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
That all just makes SO much sense, doesn't it!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Great advice , brilliant rules very simply put down.