Puppy training questions

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi everyone

I have a new puppy (boxer/labrador). she is almost 10wks. I'm having some specific problems that I'd like some advice on please:

When walking on the lead, if she does not 'feel up to it' or we're not
going in the direction she wants, she plants both fron feet firmly on the
ground and refuses to move. How do I handle this?

Just over the last 2-3 days, I've had dreadfull trouble with bad behaviour
regarding 'coming when called': Okay, she's not learnt it yet, but that's
not the real problem. When she has stopped following me through the park
and I have to backtrack to get her, she dances away from me and tries to
hide in the bushes or dances out of reach behind a tree. I know she does
not think this is just a game because she actively goes out of her way to
avoid my grasp and looks naughty!.

I've trained lots of puppies before with great success but these two have
me pulling my hair out because I just don't know how to handle it?

Any help greatly appreciated ;-)

Nick

[Aroura]

Congratulations on choosing such a great mix! I've met a couple of dogs with this mix before and they are all gorgeous and intellegent.

Well, as to your problems, you've got yourself a very cheeky mix!!! Both breeds will always make you run around like a clown just because they know you will!

With the walking, I had the same problem with both of my dogs when they were pups. Try throwing a ball just infront of you and making it really fun, otherwise you could hold a treat and lure her, holding it in a fist so the pup can smell it but can't eat it, give her a bit every few steps, and remember lots of praise!!!

Running away.... you have two options. Either you could invest in one of those extendable leads, teach the "come" command by extending to the fullest length and just let her run around as she pleases, every now and again say "come", reel her in and give her a delicious tasty treat. Or, you could simply run the opposite direction, act like a clown, maybe roll around on the ground and she should come to you. When she comes give her a treat. If she beleives that every time she goes to you when you want her to she gets a treat, she will be waiting for your call all the time just to have some yummies :D She has to learn 'you' = 'treat' and you should have next to no problems.

I had it easy because when I got my Boxer Lily whenever I wanted her I would just have to call Tessa and she would follow her :roll:

[Guest Anonymous]

I totally agree! I never had the walking problem with my pup... She's an aussie and they don't call them "velcro dogs" for nothing! As for the comming when called... well we did have to work on this one. I used the run away from her and then she comes running with me... treat and praise for when she came, maybe a little play. Make it fun to come when called! I also used a phrase "come on lets GO!" and she always comes to this now. Of course I use the same phrase when I want my kids to get into the car or if I am in a hurry... and now Hazel gets excited everytime she hears that! :oops: But at least she comes.... sigh

[Guest Anonymous]

Thankyou all very much!

Sorry it took me a while to come back to this thread, Me, my wifie and puppy (Bailey) went to the beach for the weekend. Lot's of fun learning how to swim, digging holes, playing with children etc ;)

You've all pretty much confirmed my own thoughts on this. She is a Very independent little girl and won't come to me just because I ask, but the treats took about 2 small training sessions to have a very positive effect!

I can see she is intelligent, but the combination of intelligence, independence and general puppy naughtiness is a difficult one to work with. Now I have the solution ;)

Thans again......

Nick

[deepseasnake]

ya know its funny because my goldens just do it. they are so eager to please or something. I never taught them down, come or off they just did it.
well actually I guess I did have a bit of a problem with the younger one. but it never was a big deal he would understand the command but by the time he turned around to do something else he'd forgoten what I had just said, and right back up he came. :D