You know that clip from the Harry Enfield show when Kevin the Teenager becomes thirteen and overnight turns into a monster? Well Pongo turned 6 months on Saturday. And in the last few days he has (really rather suddenly) started to completely ignore recall whistles and cues. He was never brilliant, but in the last three or four days he has simply run off from us to interesting things three or four times and not even twitched an ear in our direction. One of the 'interesting things' was a couple of girls on bicycles going down the farm track next to the house, he chased them all the way down the track (nearly half a mile) and we only knew he'd gone when they phoned us to say 'we think we've got your dog....'. He is happy enough to play recall games in the garden, but it is very obvious that he knows it is just a game - that is, he does what he is told to earn a treat. He's making a decision to come (or sit, or stay, or lie down), and if there was anything more interesting than a treat on offer then he'd have no intention of carrying on the game! So my question is: is this about the right age for that 'adolescent' phase we hear about? Will it pass? And what would you suggest we do in the meantime? Frustrated parent Rosie
Re: Is this teenager behaviour starting? [quote author=Rosie link=topic=6566.msg87826#msg87826 date=1402681981] So my question is: is this about the right age for that 'adolescent' phase we hear about? [/quote] Yes! Charlie did exactly the same! Became a teenager! ;D ;D ;D [quote author=Rosie link=topic=6566.msg87826#msg87826 date=1402681981] Will it pass? [/quote] Sorry, no. It's not a teenage phase - it's just when they start being all brave and independent. They don't grow out of it (or grow into obeying their recall signal). So you have to train. Sounds like you might need a fence too, if he fancies keeping cyclists company.
Re: Is this teenager behaviour starting? Naughty Pongo : Harley went through a stage about 3 months ago when she wouldn't listen and would run off if something took her fancy. I went back to basics with training and it's paid off, I used different cue words too
Re: Is this teenager behaviour starting? Yes, back to basics I'm afraid, and more interesting and challenging training to keep Pongo focused on you.
Re: Is this teenager behaviour starting? Rosie,if you've got him coming back to you for food treats in recall games I'd also up the value of the food treats,some hot roast chicken or lovely smelly sardine. Are you using Pippa's Total Recall [quote author=Rosie link=topic=6566.msg87826#msg87826 date=1402681981] and we only knew he'd gone when they phoned us to say 'we think we've got your dog....'. [/quote] Oh Pongo!thats my worse nightmare
