Hmmmm what do you all think?

Hi all, Milo's coming up for 7 months, we've had him for almost 3 and he has amazed us how he's settled, trained, grown (!) everything. OK he tuggs a bit on the lead on the start of a walk but we've been working on it and it's def. improved alot. He walks to heel off the lead brilliantly when you ask (i'm not confident to go leadless 100 on the roads!) and does so much more, sit, wait paw etc. the usual. His recall off the lead is also excellent, a call and whistle is all it takes and he comes thundering! Even if there are other dogs around too and will happily leave another dog/s even if they've been playimg, but twice in the last 2 days after we've all walked off (myself, Milo and the 3 children) he's turned and buggered off back to the other dog and their owner angry because he's never ever done this before this week, plus it looks like I have a dog who I do not have under control....because I don't at that moment! Both different locations, one of the dogs a GS was muzzled and didn't take too kindly to his playfulness but the owner was great (phew!) Both occasions have been bitches and I've also noticed recently a bit of bottom sniffing getting to know you but that's all. He's a really friendly, playful boy.

I put him back on his lead for a good while in the woods after that and let him off and made him stay to heal which was no problem. Is this what I can expect to happen now with his 'teenage' sexual maturity lol?! HELP what do I do he was always so obedient!!

He's pushing his boundaries - seeing how far he can go!

For a while, when you call him away, keep on at him to walk with you until you are far enough away that he isn't tempted to go back.

thanks for reply it's so odd because he came back to me no problem as we walked away then all of a sudden turned and went back to other dog, I called and whistld he completely ignored me the sod, I did eventually get him to come back rather than retrieve him we again walked off together but then he flipping went again back to the other dog we were all a fair old distance away by now and out of site amongst pretty open woodland it took some time again to get him to come (very high pitched cheerful/excited calling and whistling lol!) and I HAD to go in his direction to partially retrieve him, same today.

What interests me is the fact that I know these 2 occasions have been with bitches, day before yesterday we met other bitches and he was no problem and I'm thinking of the whole 'i'm interested in the *right* girls ie where they're at in their cycle and of 'interest' to him iykwim lol!!

We'll see how things go, he'd better quit it though we're determined to show the world how fab. staffs. can be!

i had the same sort of thing happen when mine was young and a bitch was in heat once he had got the smell he was not gona listen to a word i said i did have the problem for a bit but you just have to be strong with your training and it will come good

I think that once they get comfortable in their home and around you they do start to push the boundaries and see what they can get away with

He's becoming a teenager and his priorities are changing, the girls are becoming a bit more of a distraction. Be super careful to make sure he won't do it again (put him on lead for a little while if you have to while moving away from the pretty girls) as the most important thing is to make sure he doesn't turn it into a habit. Stick a long leash on him if you have to, so you can stomp on it to stop him if he tries to return. Might be the easiest way if he returns from long distances. (Oh - and just a reminder: try really hard to hide how mad you get at him, you don't want him to associate getting back to you with you being angry no matter how tempting it is.)

Ahhh the teenage years. I can't wait for them to end I try to never let Suki get more than 10 meters or so away so that I can chase her down if I have to.

Aniemother wrote: (Oh - and just a reminder: try really hard to hide how mad you get at him, you don't want him to associate getting back to you with you being angry no matter how tempting it is.)

jstaff wrote:Ahhh the teenage years. I can't wait for them to end I try to never let Suki get more than 10 meters or so away so that I can chase her down if I have to.

Wow, you must be FAST!!!!!

lol yes hard to hide, but I remembered he HAD come back so couldn't really tell him off! I'm thinking it's where they're at in their cycle so to speak as other bitches have been no problem.....wait and see I guess!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for input guys