Hi @Chewies_mum - Chewie sounds just like Luna - enthusiastic and with no concept of personal space Remind yourself that you've got a really high energy breed, and they're boisterous for a long time - a lot longer than other breeds. Genetics plays a part too - I recently got in touch with the owners of Luna's litter mates, all of whom were seasoned labrador owners, and they ALL said that their latest pup was the biggest handful they'd ever had. I will admit to being far too sensitive of other people's judgement of what I'm doing - mainly because I'm a first time dog owner and trying to do the very best job I can with no experience, a full time job and a family to take care of. What do I know? I've lost count of the amount of times well meaning friends or family have told me the "right" way to do things: "Say no", "Knee her in the chest", "hit her over the head with a plastic bottle", "growl in her face", and my personal favourite "just tell her not to!". Oh!! I just need to tell her not to?! Well, let me invite Luna out for a coffee and just have a civilised chat with her and I'm sure she'll see things from my perspective. Why didn't I think of that one?! I think we all need to cut ourselves a bit of slack. Family and friends have their opinions, but they're not in line with how we want to approach our dog training. Yes, it's embarrassing when they're acting like a plonker, and yes it's as if they're trying to pretend to the world that they've had no training, but they're learning all the time and it will finally click. Just think about how smug you can be in a year's time when Chewie is behaving exactly how you've trained him to behave, and he's looking at that other yappy dog in disgust Relish the "I told you so" moment. Keep your chin up - you're doing a great job.
Thank you @LoopyLuna! Yes, I've had a Lab breeder tell me that Chewie sure is more playful and boisterous than most, but extremely lovely (and that they would love to spend more time with him!). Our dogs sound so similar. Also our situations. I'm a first time dog owner, having not grown up around dogs but always wanted one. I've worked so hard to be the best possible dog parent and I think I put too much pressure on myself and let other people's ignorant opinions get me down. If it was just the opinions it would be easier, but when they deliberately act in a way to sabotage your "useless" training ththaththat really makes me see red. My OH has promised to speak to his dad about his childish behaviour... Also, Chewie dropped a bird skeleton on cue today!
I've had a little epiphany about timing and LAT. Basically I need to click and treat earlier and faster- especially at the start of the walk. We did this today and Chewie was fab. He saw 2 dogs a couple of meters away and stayed calm. I will continue walking him around the edge of the park so he sees a few dogs, but we have an escape route if things get too much. I also got to tell two guys off when I was doing some "heel" training after they deliberately distracted Chewie by making that stupid "tsk tsk" noise. "Can you please stop that. We are training." Guy smirks. "YOU'RE training? What? Training that dog?" Grrrrrr. I have had a LOT of trouble with people, almost always men in workwear for some reason (I guess blokey blokes who think that a young brown woman can't do anything! This is Australia after all...Sorry, just angry right now), interrupting my training and then belittling me when I explain what I am doing and that if they asked first, before rudely interrupting, I would be okay with them saying hi most of the time... Anyway, working on timing is my current theme.
Maybe we should create a specific training technique called LATI (Look At That Idiot) and we can train our pups to look at them and then stick their tongues out And "Yay" about the timing epiphany
Well, I tried to stomp off but the effect was spoiled by Chewie wanting to stay and wag his tail at them. If only he was a bit more aloof!
We are slowly working towards Chewie hanging out in the home office with us when we work- and today we got to to 2.5 hours of quiet work! We do medical reporting which involves concentration, using voice dictation and making phone calls so it is important that he is calm and quiet. I am so pleased that we have gotten to this point.
