Regression

[Jeanine Bandini]

Wally is 7 months now and recently started to regress. Not coming when called, getting up on the couch and getting things from the table and counter. He listens fine to my husband so I figure I need to up the training. I need suggestions besides sit, down, over, stay, come. (all of which he does when I have treats) Also when do I remove the treats? (I had but brought them back when he started to regress) He is also getting my kids toys and not dropping them upon command. Help!

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

That's a cute pup who has probably started to become an adolescent!  So much fun!  ;-)  I agree with the other excellent advice and would only add that there's an excellent book called:  how to be the leader of the pack by patricia mcconnell.  I really recommend it!  She has a strong but non-violent approach to working with dogs.  I like how she's worked it out---she has a reason for everything she does with the dogs and it's all in the service of supporting them in NOT being the leader in the household, which of course they cannot be.  Keep us posted on how you do with Wally...I'm sure you are going to get it all sorted out!  :-)

[Cathie]

I have not read that book, but I totally agree. I am totally non-violent, but I am the leader. When I first got Indy, I noticed he would not walk out the door in front of me, and realized that was a respect for my leadership position. I went with it, learned from him.

[Cathie]

Indy did the same thing at that age. I blame me for getting too lax with him. I started out pretty firm, he learned those first basic commands so easily. We live out in the country, I had started letting him run around the back yard off leash while I was working in the yard when he was younger. He always came when I called, stayed where he should, and then all of a sudden he was ignoring me, running off when it was time to go in, wanting me to chase him. I put him on a tie out thing in my front yard once I caught him, and left him there for about an hour. He did not like it at all. We went back to walking the yard with his leash dragging so I could catch him if he didn't come when I called. If he comes, a treat. If he doesn't, some time tied out, with some major mom disapproval. It only took a few days of that for him to get right back on track. He is 8 1/2 months now, he doesn't always come for the other members of our family, but he does for me.

[Amy]

I just started having some issues with not coming when always called.  I am going to check out that book and really watch my treat training a bit closer.  I have had Maggie for about 6 months (she is a year old), and I find she has been testing us lately. 

Thanks!