Selective hearing!

My mini schnauzer pup seems to have selective hearing on walks!

On our way out on a walk he's fine. Obedient and very well behaved. When we turn back to the car or for home he sudddenly turns into nightmare pup! Runs off further than usual, doesn't come when asked, doesn't even respond to his name or whistles - not even a twitch of the ears!

I've started taking him for walks on commons and the local racecourse instead where there is no obvious beginning or end of the walk but don't want to have to do this all the time - can anyone help?!

He knows that when you turn round its time to go home so will ignore you to make the walk last longer and if you scold him when you do catch him it will make him even more reluctant to come to you.
The way to solve this is to suddenly run the other way calling him. His pack instinct will take over and he'll follow you. When he catches up with you, give him a treat. Keep repeating this and he will soon realise that coming when he is called means something nice. When you're ready to go home, give him a treat and put his lead back on. He'll go with no trouble. Never call a dog to you to scold him. He won't want to come to you in case he gets told off.
Hope this helps.

Catty

• Last online: 22 Oct 2007
• Mother Hen
• Posts: 53
• Registered: 22 August 2006
• From: N. Yorkshire UK

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Great advice ^

Thanks Catty