My Puppy Has Started To Ignore Me

[Vickyk]

My 11 month labrador/boxer mix has all of a sudden started running away from me when I take her off the leash. Whilst she has done this before she normally pays attention to me when I chastise her (i.e. lower my voice and use a harsh tone)

The experience at the beach on the weekend was just traumatic...she ran after small dogs and children...I know it's because she loves to play but those at the end of it don't know that so understandably we had a few distressed people at the beach. No more beach until i get it sorted. But how?? She pays more attention to my husband but seems to ignore me..Any tips would be appreciated. this has just gotten worse lately so could it just be a growing stage?

[Rain]

What about obedience training?

[poodlefan]

I second the advice on obedience training. You can train a dog to come when it's called.

Of course calling a dog then disciplining it will sour that training.

I'd be off to dog school to work on your control.

ETA: Your dog is at an age where she is testing the limits of her independence. If you don't correct this through positive demonstrations of leadership, I'd say she'll continue to blow you off. Chasing dogs and kids is highly rewarding.. far more so than coming back to you unless she's been trained to.

The simple rule of allowing dogs offlead in public is that if you don't have effective voice control you shouldn't do it. That's how dogs got banned from public places to begin with.

Edited May 8, 2007 by poodlefan

[sas]

I'd reccomend you head to the book store and purchase a book by Jan Fennell called Dog Listener.

In the meantime, don't let you dog off lead if it's not reliable at coming back.

I take it you're going to an obedience club?

Edited May 8, 2007 by sas

[SoL]

It sounds like a leadership issue. Dogs higher up in the chain are usually more aloof with those below, choosing when to pay them attention. Sounds like your dog is not looking at you as the leader.

As the others have said, get thee to obedience training!

Until you get your dog trained to come back to you (we've all been there at some stage), I would recommend buying a really long lead - like a horse lunge rope (you can get really long ropes now thanks to

Parelli). That way your dog can run off and chase things and have fun but you can still be in control with your dog on the end of a lead.

[Isabel964]

Vicky don't worry. It happens to lots of us. You are obviously concerned and looking to find out how best to address this - can't get better than that!

Obedience training is of course a great option.

I just posted about clicker training. My Westie is great but she sometimes will not come when distracted by other dogs, birds, squirrels or anything that she gets excited by. I want recall. On my terms.

Clicker training is EASY and fun. Its so basic, enjoyable... its like I have found a majic wand!

I bought the Karen Pryror Clicker training clicker/book/DVD package. I think it was the best thing I ever bought!

[Tonymc]

Vicky,I could not say it any better than what the four Posters above me have done.Follow their suggestions and you will get the result your after. Tony

[R00]

You could try this

1/ No matter what the dog has done, if he comes after you call his name, praise the roof down. For example when Erik picks up a shoe, if I haven't seen it, I can't correct him for it. I call him over and praise him when he comes over, then I say "let go" and again when he drops it he gets praise. I missed the picking up of the shoe, so he won't know why I am correcting him so I don't bother. He could confuse coming to you as being bad.

2/ Never ever ever call your dog to then punish him. It is hard to remember this. But always go to your dog to 'correct' If he comes then the only thing to do is to give praise

3/ See point 2, I can not overstate this point

4/ Take him to the off leash park at some ungodly hour ( I used go at 5.00am and pouring rain days) so there are no distractions. Give him a treat so he knows you have some in your pocket. Then try this , when the dog moves away give the signal (I use a whistle if I just want him close, or a verbal command if I want him back and sitting) when he looks up just turn around and start walking the other way, when he comes back give the treat.

Now this is the best bit. Once he knows you have treats, walk as usual and start counting in your head, the moment he first looks away. When you get to 4, just randomly change direction and keep walking ignoring him. (remember it is at an ungodly hour so now one around, make it 3 in the morning if you have to) when he comes to you, as you have changed the rules of game, give him a treat and keep repeating. If he checks in with you under 4 seconds just give praise and keep going. The key is to get the dog to constantly 'check in with you'

( I didn't use treats, as I did this from the first day I had Erik and as puppies just want to be with their owners, Erik soon got the message that he had better keep an eye on me or he might lose me, I reinforce this behaviour in a controll environment, when Erik losses me I just disapear and watch him for a while while keeping out of sight, then I just 'turn' up and act like nothing happened, Erik is just so relieved to see me that he wont take his eye off me, that also leads to being able to give hand signals for other commands when off lead)

Not sure if this makes much sense, it has been a long day. So grammer and spelling just went out the window.

Cheers

Roo

PS: Do not ignore this behaviour , you are the boss so start acting like one.

[Vickyk]

thanks very much everyone..it's off to obedience school for my puppy (and me!!). It's all new to me being my first dog!!