Q OF THE WEEK - MILO AGAIN!

Dear Carol,

I am Milo's owner (you can quit going through the rolodex of your mind as I will describe Milo and myself) - the white standard poodle from Sandpoint Idaho - we had a few private lessons - as yes, you remember. Anyways, he will be 8 months old on Sept 25 and I desperately need some hope, advice, lies or whatever. He completed basic obedience, beginner agility and is now in continuing agility. He definitely knows his commands and can do all the obstacles in agility. In fact he really is the smartest dog I have owned. But, we are talking a huge BUT, he will only do things when he feels like it and his come recall is the shits...which obviously affects his agility training. Last night, he was shown up by a 8 month border terrier (his best friend) who gaily completed the course following his owner nicely. Milo, on the other hand, will do 2 or 3 obstacles, and then wander off or jump up and down wanting to play. When we are at the practice course by ourselves he is much better and seems to know the commands, etc. I have decided to continue the rest of the agility class will his leash on at all times as I can't keep reinforcing the "no come" behavior.

So, short of keeping him on a leash for the rest of his natural life, can you give me some hope (lies are fine also) - I have resorted to giving him a treat every time he comes but he has developed this look in his eyes which tells me exactly what I can do with that come command. Not a pretty sight...

Thanks, Tessa

From Kim:
Okay, take a deep breath..hold it....now let it out slowly....your dog is a teenager! It is gonna be okay, really! Keep the lead on, keep working him thru the recall excercises you already know. Keep a level head (cuz he definately does not have one right now). And know this PHASE will pass. It is no big surprise that he does better when it is just the two of you at the training facility. What teenager wants to listen to, let alone work with, his parents when all of his friends are around? Just like two legged kids, our four legged ones go thru adolecense differently. Each one is an individual. Dont worry if the dog next to you is a shining star in class...she may be peeing on the carpet at home! Basically, dont worry, this too shall pass. (you may want to take stock in chamomile tea for the time being tho!) Kim PS--on a side note, make sure he is not doing any real jumping on, over or off any of the equipment. At 8 months growth plates are not closed yet and can sustain damage if too much jaring. Growth plates usually close at 11-13 months of age. If in doubt, rads will show if they are still open or closed.

Alright...part 2
Oh, and a trick I found that works great with El when he "flips me off" when I ask him to do something........ I eat his treat! If practicing the recall in the back yard I would ask El to come (knowing he KNOWS the command), if he "flips me off" I would say Fine! pop the piece of peanut butter sandwich in my mouth turn around and walk away with confidence and head held high right back into the house and shut the door. Of course El is a bit older, a bit more of a velcro dog, but something like this may help. Kim

From Cathy:
Not answering, just asking....and of course, the obligatory opinion nobody has asked for. When we all gave our answers about Milo's behavior at the fence the first go round, in a nutshell, we all said the same thing. I've read plenty of your emails, and know that you put your answers to people in plain, simple, easy to follow instructions. Do this, do this, then this, and if he does this, then do this, etc. As far as I'm concerned, we went over leadership, and recalls with this woman already, don't you think? Isn't it time she started paying for some private help? Am I being to hard on her? Over the past year, my time has become more and more precious to me, as I know that yours, Lisa's, Kim's and Dana's already is. Maybe she should be going to Lisa's Attitude class, or the SS class, or paying for some in-home consulting, cause lets face it, the essence of this problem is LEADERSHIP, and the hardest part for some people is hearing that it's not the dog's behavior that needs changing first, but their own.

Good point - and yes, if she weren't an hour and a half drive away, I'd be recommending Tude and paid consults, which she did drive for last spring when Milo was a baby and she needed someone to get her started clicker training.

And DIANE! YAY!!!!!

First off, what agility instructor is letting these dogs do agility, not to mention 2 levels, at 8 mo of age? no-no-no! Not good! Hips! Joints! Ligaments! Front shoulders! Okay, that out of the way..... For a male poodle at 8 months of age to be silly and not focused in agility isn't really surprising. It takes a little maturity to focus for a whole course. Of course she said the Border did well.... but usually it is expecting a lot. Although I can just see the look in his eyes on the recall!!! This gal is fun. She could work with recalling after one obstacle, then two, then three, then one then three then one, etc. and build. Use to die for treats like garlic roast beef or teriyaki chicken, my secret weapons saved for hard things. Work lots of recalls in non agility settings with other types of distractions on a long or flexi line. Work then in the back yard with him just dragging the leash so she can step on it and get ahold of him if needed. Run back and reel him in like a big fish with lots of praise and treats for getting there, then send him away and repeat. (remember that Old English that stayed with me for a month? That you had to keep me from strangling? reminds me of him!) Mostly he needs continued training and maturity. Is he neutered? hopefully, and if not to schedule. If he is over bossy in other ways, go to NILIF. , and still use fabo treats for the recall training. I have seen St. Poodles do agility and they seem hard to motivate, at least the two I worked with at camp. But when they got focused and moving they were for sure beautiful to watch! Where does she take classes? Diane

My Response:

Hi Tessa!

Oddly enough THIS time I saw your name and Milo in the subject line and BINGO it clicked. Must be a good day ... or enough coffee or something! *S*

Milo is in full blown adolescence AND he is a confident, well socialized pup with a big ego. My guess is that Milo is not the least bit dependent on you - so he can afford to "get around to coming" when it suits him. Yes, leash him - you are right, this is behavior he doesn't need to practice.

I'm copy/pasting a quote below from the following website link on puppy development: http://www.weimclubamerica.org/about/development1.html
http://www.weimclubamerica.org/about/development2.html

"Flight Instinct Period 4 to 8 Months: There is a time during this period, lasting two to four weeks, when the pup will test his wings. He won't come when called, in fact will run away. Just keep pup on a leash until this passes." I'm not sure it only lasts 2-4 weeks *S*

So developmentally, socially adept dogs go on self guided tours and have their own agendas at this age. Co-dependent, not as sure of themselves, more cautious types are not as apt to flip you off and go smoke behind the barn. He is a brassy teenager. A seventh grader - think junior high/middle school punk testing the rules. Maybe if you called and he didn't come, you ran to your car and jumped in and sped away, and pre-planned - someone has picked up his leash, tied him to the fence and THEY all left him there all alone feeling stupid ... create a little abandonment stress and sheer relief at your return - person unhooks the leash and lets him go only when he spots you and is straining at the leash after you say the magic word and he "GETS TO" come running. Major party and a chance to go over his favorite agility obstacle.

Is he neutered yet and are you planning to? If you are and you haven't, do it yesterday. *S* I hope your instructor is guiding you as to the obstacles he should be allowed to do for his age - he shouldn't be jumping, etc until his growth plates close.

Leadership and work to earn are essential for the next several months and is a part of having the privilege of living in "your highness's" house. i.e. Milo gets NOTHING in life without first doing something that pleases you. Milo must fully believe that you are the access to ALL good things in life and that nothing good happens without you being the conduit. No games, no toys, no walks, no leash on, no dinner unless he follows one or several commands of your choosing at the criteria you've set. No attention on demand - he only gets the stuff he needs or wants only if he came when you called. Put his entire day's ration in a baggie and call him for every last bit all throughout the day. He doesn't come? He doesn't eat! His world revolves around you, not the other way around.

So, go to the website behavior FAQ section and check out all the leadership and teenage dog articles and the one on come when called and read them all. I'm attaching a couple of handouts to this email, too. Let me know how it goes! -Carol

Her reply:

Dear Carol,

Thanks so much for the info - yes, he is very well socialized as on our frequent horse camping trips there are usually 4 - 9 dogs with us - believe me, he is very sure of himself and seems to know exactly where he fits in with the rest of the pack. You hit the nail on the head - he is not the least bit dependent on me despite the hours we spend together.

I like the idea of driving away in my car but god, I hope my feelings are not hurt when he does not respond to my leaving... He was neutered at 5 months - I cannot begin to imagine what a monster he would be if he was still in tact. I will let you know how it goes as we both really love this puppy although he truely is the most frustrating dog we have yet to deal with.

Have a good weekend, Tessa