Shadow is a 9 month old chocolate lab - a wonderful dog at home, very gentle with my 3-year-old girl, easy to handle ..
We went to puppy-school for a month and then changed to another class .. same dogs for the last 5 months now - small class with 5 dogs (Doberman, Great Dane, Flat Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever) - we don`t let them play very often anymore and if we do it`s just to practice the recall when they`re playing; so far that worked - not always very well but it was okay. Last week 2 dogs were missing, so it was just Shadow, the Flat and the Great Dane (all male, all the same age). They were allowed to play and normally they like to chase Shadow so he usually gets tired of that sort of play .. this time he got a chance to approach the Great Dame .. and ever since he seems to be in love (although they`re both male). He doesn`t want to listen anymore, treats are of no interest, toys even less and he keeps pulling the leash .. so it`s really hard to get his attention.
And moreover he`s started to bark when I give the DOWN-command or when he has to sit and wait while the teacher is explaining something.
At home or during walks DOWN is no problem and he hardly ever barks.
What do you think .. should I just ignore it, insist on my commands and not let him play with the Great Dame anymore?? Our coach says I should ignore the barking and praise him when he turns quiet - which I do but no improvement so far. To me it sounds as if he`s complaining about me asking him to lay down or be attentive while all he wants to do is play with the Great Dane
I know that he`s reached puberty .. just want to know how to handle him the right way during this period ..
He usually reacts to my WATCH ME .. at home, during walks, before I let him off the leash .. but hardly ever in class.
We went to puppy-school for a month and then changed to another class .. same dogs for the last 5 months now - small class with 5 dogs (Doberman, Great Dane, Flat Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever) - we don`t let them play very often anymore and if we do it`s just to practice the recall when they`re playing; so far that worked - not always very well but it was okay. Last week 2 dogs were missing, so it was just Shadow, the Flat and the Great Dane (all male, all the same age). They were allowed to play and normally they like to chase Shadow so he usually gets tired of that sort of play .. this time he got a chance to approach the Great Dame .. and ever since he seems to be in love (although they`re both male). He doesn`t want to listen anymore, treats are of no interest, toys even less and he keeps pulling the leash .. so it`s really hard to get his attention.
And moreover he`s started to bark when I give the DOWN-command or when he has to sit and wait while the teacher is explaining something.
At home or during walks DOWN is no problem and he hardly ever barks.
What do you think .. should I just ignore it, insist on my commands and not let him play with the Great Dame anymore?? Our coach says I should ignore the barking and praise him when he turns quiet - which I do but no improvement so far. To me it sounds as if he`s complaining about me asking him to lay down or be attentive while all he wants to do is play with the Great Dane
I know that he`s reached puberty .. just want to know how to handle him the right way during this period .. He usually reacts to my WATCH ME .. at home, during walks, before I let him off the leash .. but hardly ever in class.