I have become invisible!

Hello,

This is my first post so be gentle!

I have a 4 month old GSD who is getting his own will power! He used to be perfect at recall and on his lead. But now hes seeing other dogs and people and barking at them and pulling like crazy - I have tried a halti but he either keeps trying to remove it it it ends up riding into his eyes.

Also when off his lead the my recall is very hit and miss, used to come every time but now if he does come hes slides past me. Ive tried all sorts of treats and running backwards when i call.

Does anyone have any tips on either of these and how i can get him to listen to me when were out.

Any help appreciated.
Kev & Deagle

[Caryll]

Hi & welcome to the forum.

I've never used a halti, so I can't advise on that, I'm afraid, but there are people on here aplenty who'll know much more than me!

To be honest, your pup is so young, I'm surprised he'll do any sort of consistant recall! He's finding out that other dogs mean so much more fun than coming back to you. Keep at it - he will improve, just make sure you're consistant with your training.

[RstuS]

Hi welcome.
Exactly what Caryll says, he's starting to find his feet and all other things are more fun! It will pass when he;s older, but you got to make yourself more interesting, or what I found worked for me, ignore, carry on walking, even start to run, hide if you can, he will then start to keep an eye on you a lot more not knowing your next move. Remember they suss our next moves out really early, and at this age, things are more interesting than you continuously calling his name out, it becomes a bore to him like a stuck record!
As for walking, try to catch the moment just before he pulls, or barks, with a "No" etc, get his attention and break the spell of the other dogs, if you pass with no barking or pulling, loads of praise and a treat

[wolfman]

I only want to add...Welcome to our forum..

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by wolfman

I only want to add...Welcome to our forum..

for you + Kathy x

Hiya and welcome
The tip is to make yourself far more interesting than anything else in the world.Just calling with a " dull voice " will do nothing,make high pitched silly noises to get his attention on to you,find a toy that he adores to use and never forget to heap the praise on even if it takes him ages to come back,if he comes back of his own accord really make a big fuss of him

thanks for the replies peeps, i thought it was my training or something, but it make perfect sense he learning etc.

Many thanks
Kev

[GobbySchäferhund]

Hi and welcome to the forum

If Carlsberg made forums...................

[wolfman]

Originally Posted by zetstaff

for you + Kathy x

Thank you Tracey.

[Stuart]

Welcome to the forum.
I found that the Halti`s ride into the eyes,.. [ or can do ] so I purchased a Gencon and found these better,.. mind you dogs dont like any of these sort of head gear to start with, but at least they [ mine ] seem more comfortable in the Gencon,.. here is the link....
GenCon All-in-1

As for the recall,.. well as has already been said the dog is quite young,.. its just a case of practice and more practise,..I suggest a long lead to work the dog with,.. something like a long leather lead they use of horses when they are in the ring training,... the webbing ones you can buy from pet shops will only burn your hands