Well, you may remember a couple months ago I posted about my wild black lab I had rehomed. And i mean WILD. I was considering rehoming him as he was running away, leapoing on other dogs and recall was non existant. After advice from you guys I realised I really loved him and wanted to keep trying.... Well...since then I have gone back to basics again with his training. I actually wrote down 'waiting whilst getting dinner, whist doorbell goes, whilst im making my dinner ect....' and stuck it to the fridge and ticked it off each time he did it. I also encouranged him to look at me when he spotted another dog on a lead for a treat. Although off lead he would still take off without a second thought and leap all over dog and owner. For the past year I have been trying to train him with little benefit, he would turn a blind eye when a dog appeared. This lead me to thinking he would never change. Last week something suprising happened...He saw another dog and when I whistled...he returned for a kronch salmon treat. Bizarre I thought. Well today I took him out and we passed maybe 15 dogs off lead. Each time he saw one he would stop, his ears would go up and an that minute I would call him back....and he CAME back for a treat! and even heel if I asked him! Incidently, he has also started cocking his leg. do you thing at the age of 2 years and 5 months he is suddenly starting to mature? It was amazing, what a great walk! xx
Re: Is this for real? I am so very, very pleased for you and glad all your hard work is paying off. I am in a very similar situation to you having adopted Charlie at 9 months old and his training is going well too, he is 2 years old now and I wonder if "maturity" has something to do with it. Keep going and I am sure your dog and Charlie will get there eventually. Brilliant work both of you Helen xx
