do dogs all of sudden become stupid? (how much, train, rescue)
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I don't know what's going on; I'm getting really frustrated all of a sudden.
I'll try not to go on for too long.
We adopted a 6 month old small mix breed in late April. He's overall a good dog, but has some very minor quirks. The biggest was that I couldn't train him to walk on a leash.
Flash forward 5 weeks later and he's walking on a leash fairly well (sometimes gets out about 2-3 feet in front but never tries to take off). Up until I was reading some sites a couple of days ago it didn't really bother me. I didn't think this was a big deal but apparently it is? Additionally, he followed the standard commands (sit, stay, come, etc.) almost perfectly.
Now, just out of nowhere, it's like he forgot most everything. I'll tell him to "sit" or something else and he just looks at me like I'm stupid. I don't understand what happened? A week ago he did it just about every time upon command.
I don't know what's going on; I'm getting really frustrated all of a sudden.
I'll try not to go on for too long.
We adopted a 6 month old small mix breed in late April. He's overall a good dog, but has some very minor quirks. The biggest was that I couldn't train him to walk on a leash.
Flash forward 5 weeks later and he's walking on a leash fairly well (sometimes gets out about 2-3 feet in front but never tries to take off). Up until I was reading some sites a couple of days ago it didn't really bother me. I didn't think this was a big deal but apparently it is? Additionally, he followed the standard commands (sit, stay, come, etc.) almost perfectly.
Now, just out of nowhere, it's like he forgot most everything. I'll tell him to "sit" or something else and he just looks at me like I'm stupid. I don't understand what happened? A week ago he did it just about every time upon command.
Maybe I just needed to vent some.
At 6-7 month, he is still a puppy, if he knows commands then he's doing just fine. Your job is to be consistent with everything you do. Is it possilbe that tone of your voice have slightly changed when you give him a command? Do you behave as you always do/did when you were training him?
They don't become stupid, they might become confused and not fully understand what is that required from him. How many family members do you have living with you? Does everyone treats him the same?
Never ever show your frustration, they will quickly pick up on it, and as rebellious teenagers, they will test you to see how far they can push you, and they will test you for the rest of their lives.
Puppies need a lot of reinforcements and encouragement, so just keep being consistent and you and your pup should be just fine!
Dogs have a learning Curve that must be worked thru before their long term memory kicks in....Just work with him & he will get it back.
Cool, thanks for the encouragement!
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Originally Posted by ShepsMom
Is it possilbe that tone of your voice have slightly changed when you give him a command?
I don't think so, but I can't rule it out.
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Do you behave as you always do/did when you were training him?
I think so, but I haven't paid a lot of attention to it.
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How many family members do you have living with you?
Just me and my wife.
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Does everyone treats him the same?
I think so. My wife probably assumes more of the affectionate role, where I'm probably more of the playful/exercise leader.
My wife went out of the country for three weeks and that's when he seemed to make some progress (in no way am I insinuated anything by that). When she came back he was still doing fine. After about 5 days of her being back home is when he started forgetting everything.
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Never ever show your frustration...
Uh oh!!! Guilty as charged!
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Puppies need a lot of reinforcements and encouragement, so just keep being consistent and you and your pup should be just fine!
I'll try to be more patient with the guy. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the most patient person.
Sounds like he's going thru adolesence. Just like teenage kids, they have selective hearing LOL! What breed dog is he? Large breed dogs mature much more slowly, and arent full grown until around age 3.
Just keep up with the training....he's obviously learned the basic commands. Also praise him when he DOES follow commands. Positive reinforcement is very important!
Dogs have a learning Curve that must be worked thru before their long term memory kicks in....Just work with him & he will get it back.
Commands need to be reinforced. You must project yourself as pack leader. Your frustration will only set you back.
I realize that my dog has similar issues where you need to reinforce commands until he complies.
Since he was a rescue (6 months) - it is uncertain how much socialization your poor baby had with its mother.
The nice thing is behavior can always change for the positive, as long as you respect him and he respects you.
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