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We had a bit of a rough afternoon, Teddy and I. We were out on a walk and it was as though he had forgotten everything he's been taught. When he ignores me and just walks on his merry way, I stop. He pulls on the lead and I just stand there. He maybe stubborn, but he's met his match in me. If he won't walk forward, I tug on the leash to make him move forward. Not violently or harshly or with any more force than is necessary to let him know that I mean business. I just want him to know who's in charge.
Sometimes I think I'm being too hard on him, considering he's still a puppy and sometimes he just wants to have fun. A couple of friends have said that I should "let him be a puppy". I'm being firm with him now because my goal is to have a well balanced, well behaved adult dog, who people won't mind being around and who will possibly make a good therapy dog.
He does get to play--a lot, but when we're training or walking or walking and training, I expect him to give me his attention 100%.
So what do those of you with more experience with this than I have think? Am I robbing him of his puppyhood and will he end up on a therapist's couch rambling on and on about how his mother ruined his life? Am I expecting too much from him at this age? (that would be partially his fault, since he's such a smarty pants)
Sometimes I think I'm being too hard on him, considering he's still a puppy and sometimes he just wants to have fun. A couple of friends have said that I should "let him be a puppy". I'm being firm with him now because my goal is to have a well balanced, well behaved adult dog, who people won't mind being around and who will possibly make a good therapy dog.
He does get to play--a lot, but when we're training or walking or walking and training, I expect him to give me his attention 100%.
So what do those of you with more experience with this than I have think? Am I robbing him of his puppyhood and will he end up on a therapist's couch rambling on and on about how his mother ruined his life? Am I expecting too much from him at this age? (that would be partially his fault, since he's such a smarty pants)