... Just a little encouraging post. This is difficult to write without sounding boasty or condescending so please be assured that it isn't meant to be either.

My girl is 11 months and I got her originally to hopefully compete at Obedience with. She is very bright and I'm very happy with her training in the class situation but she has ALWAYS been VERY interested in other dogs. Much as she loves her ball and tuggy, if there was another dog on the horizon I didn't have a hope.

She's not long had her first season and although I know some people still take their bitches out, I didn't want to take the chance so I kept her in for the requisite 3 weeks. I did LOADS more with her around the house and garden though, more training, more playing and it's really paid off.

She is more focussed on me and although still enjoys playing with other dogs, the obsession has gone. She is just as interested in me as she is other dogs now. But it HAS been hard work. I always take loads of yummy treats out, and randomly treat her just for coming back to me, even if I haven't called her. I surprise her by producing her ball at times, and chucking it in random directions (I am very good at throwing in random directions - I throw like a girl and it never goes where I want it to anyway lol).

I just wanted to assure those who are a bit despondent and losing heart (I did, on and off!) that training techniques DO work. But they don't always work quickly, and you have to keep them up, and sometimes it seems you are going backwards, but then suddenly it's like a lightbulb goes on and overnight, your dog WILL make a huge leap forward in their training and it's all worthwhile.

I also think, from observing my dog, that although "he'll grow out of it" is NOT often true of many behaviours, sometimes they DO just need to grow up a bit - adolescence in a dog is every bit as trying as it is in a human and as long as you can ride the storm and still be consistent, even though they try your patience, it will pay dividends

Thanks for that I do know we all get down when our dog seems to be a pain., and there is no one to give us a pat on the back when we get it right.

No pain is no gain right. I feel as they grow up a bit from puppy stage they do generally grow out of most behaviour problems. If your lucky.

Thanks for the encouraging post. You must be so pleased with the progress your girl has made

I have been doing the Good Citizens with both of mine, my 20 month old boy is in the gold class, and my 6 month old girl is doing her bronze test on Saturday . Both of mine have had consistant training from being with us at 8 weeks old and have attended training classes weekly from the time they had all of their jabs, and I agree it doesn't happen over night, it does take time and bloody hard work, and you do have days where you pull your hair out and wonder why the hell you bother but it really does pay off. I also do think that maturity does play a part. My boy was a complete handfull as a pup, but since about the age of 15 months old its as though he has really grown up and lost the puppy excitement which makes him more more responsive in training

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Thank you all for this encouraging post....Jill

Thanks Colliepoodle that post has really given me hope!!!

I've bought a nice new tug toy today (Zach loves tug) which I'm going to save only when we are out together. For the few couple of weeks I'm going to take him to a quiet field and play tonnes of tug with him and carry on with the usual training. Hopefully that will help him to see I'm just as much fun than other dogs!

We are also starting agility next week so (fingers crossed) that too should help him bond a little more with me and focus more on me on the walks

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Thats great Louise, should definitely help build your bond. I find the same has happened with me with the obediance classes, its an especially good feeling when it becomes obvious you are favourite over your OH

Let us know how the agility goes on, I am thinking of going with Logan after he passes his gold because I don't think he is competitive obediance material, but I definitely want to carry on doing something with him. Only thing is we have had a few agility things in class occassionally and the little wimp seems to be scared of the stuff

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LOL I would so love it if I was the favourite!! Unfortunately at the min I'm just the mug that feeds him, walks him and keeps him company throughout the day, the OH is the exciting parent that comes in at tea time to play

I dunno how we're gonna get on lol you know Zach he'll prob run riot as always, I have a feeling that he will enjoy it once he gets the hang of it though but like your Logan he can be a bit of a wimp at times!! Bless em!!

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I've had another bit of a breakthrough this afternoon - we met a bloke on our walk who had a frisbee and Boo went MAD for it. I am kicking myself for not thinking of it earlier because the thing she loves to chase above all other things is birds - well the closest thing to a bird, toy-wise is a frisbee because they are in the air for much longer than a ball.

She was ignoring other dogs completely in favour of the frisbee.

I just need to learn to throw the bloody thing as far as the bloke could

Off to PAH before it closes to buy some

Sounds like things are going well, have you started competing yet ?