My 9 month old pup started to behave strange on "come": on the command he is rushing towards me, but then he is just passes me, makes a u-turn and only on my next "come" approaches me and sits. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

This is completely, totally, absolutely normal behavior for a puppy. Usually, the pup runs to the handler in anticipation of play but doesn't want to have to sit quietly in front (that part isn't much fun for the pup). What are you using as an incentive for the dog to come to you?

I would try the following.

1: Recall dog, if come on first attempt, reward.

2: Recall dog, if come on second attempt, show reward and not give. Try recall again, fail again end game. Try in again in the next training session.

Or:

Do recall on long line and then you can guide him right to you because there is no other choice. Tie dog to other side of where you are and go to the end of the line and preform the recall.. line will not allow him to pass you. Reward and praise when he comes. Then when he is getting the idea, move up so the line allows a pass, if he does he will recieve a automatic correction for passing. This way your the good guy by saving his life after the auto correction.

I hope that helps!

I didn't have this problem before, recalls where always good with him, it is like smth has happened and he completely changed response on this command. Usually I am using a treat, sometimes his favourite ball, mostly a treat.Can that be that he is trying to revaluate his position in the pack and this way is challenging me?

It's funny you mention that... My pup has just gone through a change himself, we call it the terraible 2's hahahh he had started to test his status with me during training, (at least that is what I think) by doing much the same things your pup is doing. I added some compulsion to my routine to get my point across, I can only take so much motivational approach. I will expand a bit, forgive my rambiling, I just find it better to fully explain what I am doing, in the hopes you might relate to my experience, if you can and feel that my advise might work, give her a go, if not wait until you find a reply that does! Bottom line is you know your dog better then we do, so you need to really think and evaluate what he is doing and why before you take action.

My problem was with sits and downs. He used to do them great and fast with food/ball, but 2 days ago, this changed. He would just look at me like, your going to give that to me anyway, so just do it and forget the sit/down K? WRONG! I went back a step or two and added an automatic correction with the prong "my dog is hard and choke collar does not work as effective" This worked wonders, 10 min of this and he has been fine. I am with Richard Cannon's theroy about "Use the lightest correction needed" and I follow this. You will need to find your dogs level of correction by trial and error. I stress "Keep it positive"! Correction, praise, correction, praise just like Ed says in his OBD video.

The same went for long downs.. he was doing 10 min everytime, then he started breaking, with 2 sessions with corrections and he is back to 10 min, with added distance even.

I really don't like compulsion, but the dog must learn to mind. I have come to a final conclusion with training my dog, Motivational training for "Learning" I beileve he learns, truly learns, best when given a choice in the beginning and compulsion for "Proofing" so he knows he must comply no matter what.

I am a beginner here so keep this in mind, but I owe all I have learned from Ed and this board ans all the really really smart and great folks who are willing to teach us newbies!
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I would apperciate some feedback myself on this method I am using guys.

Lonny,

I like your advice on using the line and the use of corrections. In this case though I think that the dog has the hang of it so like Dave Lilly stated we need to know what reward if any has been used and advise from there. It dosen't seem like the pup is all that interested in coming right to the handler so that is the first thing to fix. It must be made interesting for the pup.

I agree with that Chuck. Let's see what is happning before taking action.

Thank you Lonny and Chuck. Correction and praise works with him, though I do not think that his addiction to a treat as a reward is a good sign, it is like you mentioned Lonny "You will give it to me anyway" - right? Wrong, I do not want to follow that rute as it may lead to other consequences, you know what I am talking about. Probably, we will follow up on correction and praise, as I have noticed that he started to challenge me on sits just like with you Lonny, so I decided to go back to my soft pull with prong on sit command. Also have noticed that he started challenging me on long sits, downs, stands. On downs, I mostly do not have problem, we are trying to keep them 3-5 min and longer if I see that the dog will do it. But sits are the worst 1-2 minutes and he is trying to move to me or turn if I am behind his back - lack of patience that what I see. Long leash training, I think we did it when he was a small pup and probably few times. After that I have not being using it at all. May be I should go back to basics, e.i. long line? Your ideas guys.

I know just what you mean! Here is one of the greatest things I have heard about training and I follow it. Ed's moto is Time Before Distance Before Distraction. I cannot tell you how true this simple statment is... I think you are on the right track with "Going back to basics" use the long line and work the time aspect, then distance, then more time, then more distance, when you feel that is all good, start distraction. You da man!

at what age do you use corrections in the recall? assuming the puppy knows the command first. I have a 3month old that I have been using food with, and now use food intermittenly, he always recalls, however I know the day is coming ... upto this point everything has been positive.