Hard headed Llew
Hard headed Llew
The conversation about soft dogs was really interesting. Anyone run into a hard headed Llew before? Mine is pretty willful. Since I'm new to training bird dogs I took her to a trainer. She coming along well in the field but any advice on how to deter the counter surfing and stealing. She will probably come home in June. I love her personality and I don't want to ruin that. She's eight months old.
Re: Hard headed Llew
Hey frosso - surfing and stealing is an expected behavior in young dogs. What a world they are turned onto when they get tall enough to reach the countertops!!
Supervision is the key. Don't leave them loose in the house if you can't supervise. Tether the dog to your belt when you are around, or have him drag a cc or a leash. You need to capture the behavior in a "teachable moment" so you can correct it. Despite what your signature says, YOU are the boss of the house, so your dog needs you to step up and train him what he can and cannot do.
Just an FYI, there are some working dogs that are NEVER left to run free in the house. It's a privilege for the dog to be earned with responsible behavior. Since he doesn't know the difference, it's our job to teach them what's OK and what's not.
Have fun. Sounds like a great dog.
Supervision is the key. Don't leave them loose in the house if you can't supervise. Tether the dog to your belt when you are around, or have him drag a cc or a leash. You need to capture the behavior in a "teachable moment" so you can correct it. Despite what your signature says, YOU are the boss of the house, so your dog needs you to step up and train him what he can and cannot do.
Just an FYI, there are some working dogs that are NEVER left to run free in the house. It's a privilege for the dog to be earned with responsible behavior. Since he doesn't know the difference, it's our job to teach them what's OK and what's not.
Have fun. Sounds like a great dog.
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4dabirds
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Re: Hard headed Llew
If my dog counter surfed I'd give him a black eye too. 
. Check out the book culture clash by jean Donaldson you can get it on amazon it will help you a lot
. Check out the book culture clash by jean Donaldson you can get it on amazon it will help you a lotRe: Hard headed Llew
Thanks for the great advice folks. I've been too soft so I'm going to have to change my ways. She's just so darn cute. I'm going to be more deligent with the obedience work when she gets home. I was afraid to rein her in too much before she got excited about birds but apparently I didn't need to worry about her birdiness. I'm going to look up that book too! 
Re: Hard headed Llew
as others have said supervision is key, but a quick shortcut for countersurfing is to get mouse traps and place the strategically on the counter so the dog hits it when they get up, even if they don't get their toes caught the noise will usally deter them.