Stubborn Mule

R

RonandJan

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Well.........McKinley is showing his personality the last two days. The little stubborn mule.

If you remember, McKinley's commands are a tad bit skewed. "C'here" to him means sit down and wait for me to come pick him up. This I admit that I accidentally taught him at 12 and 14 weeks old and have never been able to correct.

So instead, I had trained him to come to my whistle and up until yesterday, once trained and understood, it was 100% perfect. MMM came EVERY time.

Yesterday while out at the garden, it was time to go, I was standing at the truck and I whistled and said, "ally oop" (which is the command for "get up on this") and he stood stock still and stared at me. And when I said, "I mean it mister" which is my second command and means do what I first told you to do. He stood stock still and stared at me, and when I went to get him, he turned away from me and started to walk away from me, and then I said, "ah ah" to the walk away and he stopped, back to me and...............pouted! He had a pouty face on as he looked back at me. I had to walk clear out to where he was and make him walk to the car and get up in it. I didn't carry him. (Maybe it is the moon phase, Cadbury is doing this to labgirl as well.)

Now I know he wanted to stay and play with Teddy, but he must come to me when I whistle. Yesterday, I just thought it was wanting to stay and play, but then just now...........

Ron was in the workshop, and McKinley and I had gone out for a visit and as we were headed back up to the house, he did the same thing. And I had to go get him and insist that he walk across the lawn and up the steps into the fence.

I don't find this funny behavior and it scares me. McKinley is off lead...a lot because we work at the garden so much and there are hundreds of acres there. And I must have a dog that can be off lead, so I can work and he can play.

Do I go back to tethering him to my belt? and retraining the whistle?
Is this just teen-age puppy-hood yet? He is 11 months old. When will he grow out of the teenage phase? I thought he would be out of it by now.

Sorry this is long. Cleveland never really had a mind of his own and McKinley truly does have a mind of his own, and I love that in him, but I must also have a puppers that comes without introspection; 100% of the time.
 
I think you've hit the nail on the head, Jan .... teenage puppyhood. In my experience, they don't really grow out of it until around 2, males more than females. I think you do have to reinforce your commands, both with the tether and with treats. You don't want him to think you're punishing him for obeying, so pop some treats in your pocket too and when he does what you've asked, treat him.

He really is a good boy and this too shall pass! :yes: Unfortunately, the smart ones are the toughest ... it's murder when they can out-think us!! :uhoh:
 
I agree with Ann...I would go back like he is younger, treat him when he obeys, tether him when you can't be 100% sure. It will be a pain for the next week or so to feel like you are taking a step back, but he's just trying to push his limits a little bit and you need to remind him that what you say goes, regardless of how he feels. And if he listens, he gets a reward, so everyone is happy :)
 
Haha, sounds familiar. I agree with Ann and unfortunately it does take those boys a little longer. Back to basics, even if you think they know something their brain gets put on hold in their teens.

Deska used to do similar things so I kept him on a short lead at all times during his teens. Tully used to turn her back on me, and just walk off! Lucky she is so little I would just pick her up and bring her back.
 
I feel your pain Jan! Bailey has been in the "teenage phase" since she was 7 months old. I thought she was finally growing out of this phase a few weeks ago. However, her crazy antics are back. She's been so wired this past week. Nothing seems to tire her out. She won't settle down at night time again. She's barking at everyone and everything. She wouldn't come inside from the yard during last call. It took me 15 minutes to get her inside. She hasn't had a potty accident in months, but pooped in the house twice yesterday! :eek2:
Baby girl is going to be one years old in 2 weeks. I told her "it's time to shape up or ship out. you've got 2 weeks to get your act together."

She was a little better last night. I did some calming massages while I watched TV. She actually went to sleep as soon I got into my bed. Unlike the last few nights, she was pulling her bed around my room, stealing slippers, scratching at my closet door. I had to crate her.

Ughh teenagers!
 
Teenage issues

Oh everyone, I can soooooo relate to the teenage years with Indie. He can be so sweet and good one day and then a horror the next. Take last night, he was up most of it, pulled his bed apart, chased kitty at all hours of the night which upset kitty who usually sleeps peacefully all night with us, wanted up and then down off the bed which he usually does not do and then by 0500 hours decided he was up for the day, wanted out and then play, play play....ARGHHHHH:eek2: teenage puppies! I know this too shall pass but in the meantime, I think that shall have a few more grey (but no one will know because they are colored :biggrin2:) hair.
 
There is one bit of good news for those of you suffering through the Terrible Teens ... they REtrain *much* faster than when they are puppies! They are smart enough now to figure out that "hmmmm, she means business!" :rolleyes2:
 
Ann said:
There is one bit of good news for those of you suffering through the Terrible Teens ... they REtrain *much* faster than when they are puppies! They are smart enough now to figure out that "hmmmm, she means business!" :rolleyes2:
Click to expand...

Glory be.... from your fingers to my pupper's brain (and ears!!!):lol::lol:
 
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