Change of behaviour

[FayRose]

Molly has always been a quiet dog, very biddable and basically quite calm, in other words 'easy' - yes, there is a 'however' coming.

Towards the end of lockdown proper, our neighbouring farmer renewed some fencing in the field across the top of our garden, behind our sheds. Within this fence is a gate allowing us access to part of his field that, because it is steep and under low tress, is left, not cut and only rarely do cattle get to this area. Since the gate was renewed, J has been taking Molly into the top of the field (when no stock is there) to play, usually early evenings before her meal.

A couple of days ago, J was in the garden and I was in the house. I thought Molls was with him and he thought she was with me - classic cock up. Anyway, no sign of her, eventually J spotted her way across the field, right over the far side, this is no titchy field, so she was a spot in the distance. Molly has never gone away from us before, even when confronted with open doors or open gates, she's always looked to us to decide direction. I was stunned at her suddenly going all UDI.

Since then, she has started to be what I can only call bolshy, I can't think of an appropriate word. She will ignore requests in training and when out on walks. Not all the time, but occasionally. She is also seems to be getting more hyper, again for want of a better word.

I'm thinking, maybe I've been complacent and taken her apparent easy going nature for granted and somehow taken my eye off the ball. She's 4.5 now so way too old for adolescent shenanigans.

Any MLF insights would be very welcome.

 

[FayRose]

PS - she is able to get under the fence at a certain point.

 

[kateincornwall]

If its of any comfort to you @FayRose , Sam had to have reminders from time to time . He also was a calm dog who ` usually ` complied but then he would astound me by doing his own thing , so it was back to basics for a few days . No doubt young Reuben will be exactly the same , he already has been and in truth , I dont think age really comes into it , its more a reminder that they are dogs . I do sympathise , I am guilty of taking their good behaviour for granted and then being shocked when it all goes to pot but all is not lost , just some fun training might be the way for Molly xx

 

[SwampDonkey]

What's in the field? Wildlife? Is she hunting? She's entertaining herself and getting excited. Is there another dog? Does one go passed? Is there a person she's interested in?

 

[FayRose]

Thanks @kateincornwall I think your fun training idea might well help. I fear I've been too serious with her since our gundog training started and she's losing the pleasure of it.

 

[FayRose]

What's in the field? Wildlife? Is she hunting? She's entertaining herself and getting excited. Is there another dog? Does one go passed? Is there a person she's interested in?

There could well be things in the field she was after, she will eat all sorts of crap for sure. I'm sure there is no other dog than Freddie the farm JR and she sees him most days.
She's just never gone off on her own before, it really surprised me that sh is that confident.

 

[HAH]

Also maybe an MOT would give you some reassurance it’s nothing physical; you could talk to the vet, ask about hormones perhaps, and maybe examine basic functions?

You could then focus on behaviour and look at the distractions; new access might mean some smells are now a lot more enticing. The field might feel like an extension of your garden for her, so she’s more confident exploring.

 

[FayRose]

That's a good point @HAH about her seeing the field as an extension of the garden. We hadn't used it much until the end of lockdown, now it's almost daily.

 

[Candy]

Molly sounds so like my GGJ! I also think that she may be seeing the field as an extension of the garden and therefore a safe and allowed place to be in.

 

[Selina27]

Anyone would think Cassie has been talking to her on the no hoo man's allowed thread
She hasn't, I swear.

Agree with others, maybe some fun training and games when you go in that field and high value reinforcement for the interaction with you?
This works with Cassie, over time, in Very Interesting Places xx

 

[Atemas]

she is able to get under the fence at a certain point.

Can you block this off so she only goes in the field when allowed - then play the games she likes the most in there and nothing else in there for the time being?

 

[Cath]

Can you block this off so she only goes in the field when allowed

Yes, I thought this too. She may be self rewarding

 

[FayRose]

Thanks everyone, food for thought for me and good thinking from you, as always