Let a pup be a pup.....or not?

[cab09 0]

I've got a 4 month old lab (dog). His basic obedience training is going quite well. He will sit, stay, wait, return and progressing well walking to heel both on and off the lead. The majority of his training has been done in the back garden, with little or no distractions.

 

However the garden isnt all that big and I have started to take him out onto a grassed strip of land around 300 - 400 yards long, not far from my house. Again its relatively quiet there with no distractions.

 

I decided to let him off his lead to let him have a run around and enjoy the space and have a bit of freedom. Which I thought would be a good thing letting a pup get his 'daftness' out of his system, as he is still quite young.

 

At first he seemed to respond quite well to it as we practiced the sit and stay and the sit and wait commands after he had his initial run about / play. He would also walk alongside me off the lead.

 

However, the last couple of times he's been out he wont listen. He wont stay or wait and wont return to me (even tried rewarding with treats for when he does). I've even tapped his nose a few times and been stern with him but makes little difference. I eventually get him to return to me and go to put the lead on him and he runs off! Thought I was doing the right thing as didnt want him just in the garden at home, kooped up so to speak.

 

Not sure what to do for the best now - was thinking of going back to basics and staying in the garden or am I being too hard on him. Should I let him be a pup and enjoy his running around / play or will I do more harm than good for the future as he will think he can run off when he is older??

 

All help from the experienced trainers much appreciated.

 

Thanks

CAB

(novice gun dog trainer!)

[skycat 6,173]

Any confident pup will want to explore its world, and getting it out in the field is part of growing up. All the back yard training in the world won't help if the dog has never seen the great outdoors. Now I'm no gundog trainer, but IMO lurchers and terriers can't be that different.

 

The pup has to learn its boundaries, in terms of what it is allowed and not allowed to do but at 4 months old it is still very much a baby. IMO too much training too early on will only make a dog rebel more when it hits that teenage stage.

 

I concentrate on recall with the odd retrieve etc until the pup is at least 8 months old. That means getting the pup out in the field every day, letting it explore those boundaries: and the biggest mistake people make is to let the dog run loose, then only put the lead on at the end of the walk.

 

You then have a pup which associates the lead with the end of the fun. Recall often during the walk, but only praise and let the dog run off again. Once in a while put the lead on when the dog has been recalled, make it walk nicely to heel for a few moments, then let it run again.

 

I always make a dog sit, then wait until I give the OK before letting it run free again. Same thing when recalled: sit, put lead on, then praise. I know Labs can be the most stubborn of dogs (my dad used to work them) but IMO its all about letting the dog think its running the show when in reality you are the one that is pulling the strings.

 

So, dog comes in to recall. You praise then let it go again: dog thinks: hey, this is good: I won! I came and he let me go again! Next time the dog comes in its expecting more of the same: job done.

 

I always put the lead back on for the final time well away from the vehicle or house or whatever, and vary at which part of the walk I put the lead back on for the final time: that way the dog never associates being in a certain place with the end of its freedom.

 

And don't forget to talk to and play with the pup whilst its actually on the lead: you want the dog to WANT to be with you, not see the lead restraint as a form of punishment.

 

Remember: less is often more when training pups. Don't sour them too young.

[cab09 0]

Thanks for the good advice skycat, much appreciated. I didnt think I was pushing him beyond the basics for his age but maybe guilty of being too hard on him or expecting too much too quickly. Its probably more my fault (over enthusiasm on my behalf) than his. A total new environment for him to explore. You just get carried away, especially when he was being so obedient in the garden (his normal environment which he is used to).

 

I think it will be best to take him back to the garden just to brush back up on those basics/ engrain them and gradually introduce him part on a lead to the grassy area; as you mention.

 

I have attached a photo of the little b*g**r (Bentley) at three months old.

 

 

Many thanks again for your help.

[joe_lynas 2]

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Edited September 28, 2019 by joe_lynas

[Geoff.C 0]

Cab, there is some good advice from skycat, (as usual) and I wouldn't want to add much to it. Just going on your reply though, I'm not sure you have read it properly. It seems you are heading back to the garden, and not intending any free running? Just go over the skycat post again mate.

That handsome young pup needs some off duty time, with a regular recall and few minutes on the lead, just walking then released again.

You may need for a bit, to use a long lead as Joe is suggesting. Keep it fun, don't bore the pup.

[TIMMAY 6]

Not an expert at dog training at all, but my first lurcher is now coming up to a year old, and her recall is pretty good, far better than other dogs i've had, and i think the best piece of advice i've been given is not to chase the pup, but if she starts messing about, just turn and walk in the opposite direction. Apart from a couple of hairy moments early on, when i thought she would run to the next county, the advice has worked well. The other piece of advice was never to scold a puppy when it comes back, even if it was doing something naughty, always be lavish with praise.