Puppy Losing Concentration Once Out Of The House...

[nikitaken]

Our 3 month old sheltie puppy is very playful but relatively well behaved indoor, we are still trying to shape some of her jumping, attention-seeking behavior but she does quite well on most commands we've taught her, and she also learns to walk at our pace, stay on our left or between our legs and know to pay eye contact.

However once we get out of the house, she would rush to sniff everywhere or simply just wanting to get to her destination asap. when she's in parks she focus more on people pass/running by, things on the floor, kids around or pretty much everything else except us. We try to use her meals as treats to do some training outside but sometimes she doesnt even care about the food...

When she pulls on leash in the park we either stop or turn around and walk all different direction but she'd try to run faster than us and also pulls to the side almost like she was trying to drag us back or something.

Just wondering what would be the best way to train her so she knows to concentrate more on us? She is paying a bit more attention to us since we started training her with kibbles in class but most of the time she is easily distracted...

[Erny]

I think you have expectations that are too high for your pup. Even a leaf falling from a tree is very entertaining for a very young pup (and is part of the beautiful innocence that I marvel and adore). There is no way she would be able to concentrate with all those things going on ..... at least not for more than a few seconds at a time.

At home, nonchalantly walk around the back yard and reward her with a piece of special food treat every time she comes back to check in on you. When you go to the park, perhaps have her on a long line (NOT an extender line, please) so she has an opportunity to frolic. If she is a pup that likes to stay reasonably close to you (the aforementioned exercise helps with that) then you shouldn't have too much if any trouble with her wanting to exceed the length of the long line. Especially if you are playing with her within the perimeters of the distance the long line allows. When she's done with the frolicking, switch to your normal lead and do a very short session of LLW.

Avoid too much 'forced' walking whilst she is so young and her bones are soft and growing.

Also, the "park" you go to ..... if it is a dog park I hope your pup is fully vaccinated.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Erny

[Dogsfevr]

I agree with the above she is a baby .

Also understand this part .

You say "she does quite well on most commands we've taught her".

She obviously doesnt if your having issues & sometimes people teach to much without actually allowing the dog to grasp the simple basics.if she understood she wouldnt be naughty.

Without offending it sounds like your either very boring on walks or expect so much that she has switched off & gone into her own world of exploring & doing things pups do & need to do.

Maybe lower the expectations & understand that expecting to much can set you up for failure sometimes quicker as they learn more bad habits than good.

If every thing else is interesting then it means at present as a handler she isnt respecting what your saying or asking so it may mean your over doing it or she doesnt understand what is expected but is having a good time.

She is only 12 weeks & i guess you have had her for maybe 4 weeks ,that isnt a long time to expect so much

[nikitaken]

Thank you for the advice above they are really helpful.

She's about 15 weeks now. We are not really trying to fix anything right now since we too understand she's still a baby, but really want to find out which is the right way to respond to some of the behaviors she does now that are considered to be unwanted behaviors if she does it when she's older, eg, jumping on everybody, chasing/jumping on joggers etc

We didnt really expect her much when we tried to take her outside, just wanted her to keep up with us when we are moving and we allowed her to explore new dogs, new people and new environment, as long as she's not disturbing other people around. We don't even expect her to sit when we ask at this stage because she's very curious about outside so unless she's ready for some tricks we wouldnt try to force her to pay attention.

But yeah I've always wanted to get those long leash but havent found a good place that she can run in, but will sure keep this in mind =)

[Erny]

We don't even expect her to sit when we ask at this stage because she's very curious about outside so unless she's ready for some tricks we wouldnt try to force her to pay attention.

The trick is to NOT ask her to do something when/if you don't expect her to be able or likely to do it. It's about consistency. If you do ask her to do something but don't expect her to do it (and she doesn't) then you're setting her up to learn that your commands are meaningless to her.

When you do tell her to do something, be in a position to *show* her what to do and guide her to doing it. Then release her (I train with a release word) and let her be a puppy for a bit.

I don't expect focus at that age, although I train for it - but I don't ask for it. Rather, I reinforce/reward when it is offered. That way, I'm *shaping* a behaviour without goofing up a command that I will bring in later. Check out "TOT" which is pinned at the top of this forum. Excellent exercise for building focus. THAT is something you can begin doing with your puppy.

Edited September 14, 2009 by Erny