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Thread: Stubborn puppy

  1. #1
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    Stubborn puppy

    Hi, I have a 15 week old black lab that I am training for a duck dog. So far he has been doing great with everything I have been trying to teach him, he loves the water and to fetch. I am having an issue with anytime I want him to come here he crawls under something or runs. We have the same routine every evening of getting on the sxs going to our training spot and even then I get off to load him up and under the bike he goes. Any idea of how to stop this? It's getting old having to get him out from under something anytime he thinks I'm going to put him in a kennel.
    Thanks


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    Welcome! A couple of things I can think of. One, something is scaring him about coming to the kennel. Is it on your side by side?? Two, calling him means the fun's over, and he's not ready for the fun to be over. If that's the case, and I think that would be the most likely issue, I'd begin practicing and when he comes over, throw a bumper or give a treat, which ever works for you. Do this 4 or 5 times. He will soon start associating coming to the sxs with fun things happening and it should help with the problem.

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    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Puppies are generally not capable of being stubborn. He sounds scared or in pain.

    Is he in pain? He is at the age where he is teething. Most field trainers stop training during this time as it can be painful and cause these issues. You might work on five minute sessions of stays or something simple that does not involve the mouth.

    Is he going through a fear period? He is a little on the old age for one, but not by much.

    Did something happen in the kennel that spooked him?

    Finally, are you training him appropriately for his temperament? If you're asking too much too soon, training too much for his temperament or age, or being too hard on him, he might be afraid of you or fearful based on the way you are training him.

  5. #4
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    Thanks for the replies, as far as training goes I am only walking him on a leash teaching to heal and sit then I will finish up with 4 or 5 bumpers which he is wild about. As far as I know nothing has happened in the kennel to scare him but he has done this since he was about 8 weeks old. He runs though no matter what though and I haven't ever laid a hand on him for him to be scared of me. I'm kind of confused on it honestly


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  6. #5
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    You might try working with a group or a trainer. Someone in the know who can watch things in action might be a more reliable source of information and recommendations.

  7. #6
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    Since he's done it ever since you've had him, I'm wondering if you remind him of someone who did something to scare him.

    Our neighbors got a "used" Corgi/mix who growled at me every time she saw me. She was great with other people. I'd never had that reaction from a dog before. Molly just didn't like something about me. I watched her for a week when they went on vacation...she seemed to come around...but then after not running into her again for a couple of weeks, we were back to square one. We figured I must have been a bad reminder of someone else.

  8. #7
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    I guess I'm confused. I don't know what an sxs is. Is he exiting a crate when he crawls under things? Does it happen when you call him to you in the house?

    When you're training a duck dog, (think about it) what behavior is paramount? Basically, you want a retriever to sit and stay (remaining quiet) and only go when he's released. That's why you don't work on a recall, until the dog sits like a rock. Or rather, I should say... that's why the influential retriever field trainers are more concerned with steadiness than recall early on.

    For you, right now, it's a pain in the butt because you have to go and get the dog because he won't come voluntarily. So, for now... just bait him. Have some beef jerky in your pocket or string cheese. Let him come to you. The treat in one hand, the lead in the other, sweet talking him out from under whatever he's hiding under. Get down on the ground and make happy sounds, while putting just a bit of tension on the line. Let him come to you.

    I'd suggest you join a retriever club if there's one handy. (Where are you in La?) And there are lots of DVD's and books to help you map out a training strategy. (I like Bill Hillmann's program.)
    Last edited by TuMicks; 04-19-2017 at 07:39 PM.

  9. #8
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    Stubborn puppy

    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    I guess I'm confused. I don't know what an sxs is. Is he exiting a crate when he crawls under things? Does it happen when you call him to you in the house?

    When you're training a duck dog, (think about it) what behavior is paramount? Basically, you want a retriever to sit and stay (remaining quiet) and only go when he's released. That's why you don't work on a recall, until the dog sits like a rock. Or rather, I should say... that's why the influential retriever field trainers are more concerned with steadiness than recall early on.

    For you, right now, it's a pain in the butt because you have to go and get the dog because he won't come voluntarily. So, for now... just bait him. Have some beef jerky in your pocket or string cheese. Let him come to you. The treat in one hand, the lead in the other, sweet talking him out from under whatever he's hiding under. Get down on the ground and make happy sounds, while putting just a bit of tension on the line. Let him come to you.

    I'd suggest you join a retriever club if there's one handy. (Where are you in La?) And there are lots of DVD's and books to help you map out a training strategy. (I like Bill Hillmann's program.)
    Sxs is side by side sorry for the confusion. I'm currently watching Chris Akins DVD set at the moment. He only runs from me when it is time for him to go into the kennel or he thinks he is going to be. Other than that he will come to me no problem. It's to the point to where if I walk towards my truck for anything he looks for cover because he knows if I am leaving he goes in the kennel. When I let him out of it he is excited and stays by my side for the most part. I have one other dog that is always free in the yard that he plays with and I'm thinking that may be giving me some issues. I am in central la and have been looking into joining a club to get some advice and help with training. I was wanting to train him myself for the accomplishment but if it looks like I'm not going to be able to I'm definitely going to send him to a trainer


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    Last edited by nbmetalworx; 04-20-2017 at 12:13 AM.

  10. #9
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    I would say that there is a difference between (1) training all by yourself, (2) getting into a good training circle and (3) shipping the dog off to a pro. Sometimes a great dog is the product of a mixture of all these approaches. It is a huge, huge help to have others watch you work your dog... and for you to watch others do theirs. Man! You learn so much from watching and listening to others. (Not all of it will be stuff you want to emulate. Some of it will be golden.)

 



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