Nice job guys, yesterday’s posts were extremely informative. I have a few dog and obedient questions I need help with.
1.) My dog just turned 1 year old. What age does a pup turn into a mature dog?
2.) I have started her in what I would call extreme distraction phase of her obedience training. We go to the dog park and of leash I have her in a sit stay. When other dogs approach I gently repeat the stay command. Her recall in an open deserted field is a 100 percent. It’s almost perfect when she’s running with other dogs. My failure is when we are in house. I can recall her and she looks at me and totally tunes me out. It’s a different story if she knows I have a treat. I use treats to introduce a behavior. By letting her get away with tuning me out in the house am I creating a problem for myself?
3.) I take my dog everywhere. She was socialized with people and dogs since she was 8 weeks old. When she sees that individual biker or rollerblader her prey drives kicks and she wants them. Why is it when there is a crowd or when I take her on the lakefront with hundreds of joggers and bikers she just ignores them?
4.) Is it bad that when strangers want to pet her, she just takes a step back or ducks under their hand? I would say she’s pretty aloof in the house with the family. Happy that everyone is home but likes to keep to herself.

This is my second dog in 35 years so I can’t use practical experience to judge her behaviors. All her instincts are herding. The large circles when she plays the stalk, and stare down. Very big on heel biting with other dogs or humans. We have the human part under control.

Milt

Milt, I'll try to at least give you my view on your questions, although a couple are only based on experience and not hard-core facts. I'm sure you'll get a lot of different answers on these situations.

1. Maturity--It really depends on what type and size of dog we're talking about. If it's a large breed, like a GSD, they usually reach their skeletal maturity at 12-14 months. But they will still "bulk up" up to 2 yrs old. As far as mental maturity, I usually consider a dog an adult at 18 months to 2 yrs., usually closer to the latter.

2. House rules--My dogs were the same way when it came to recalls in the house. If you want them to be 100% consistent, you must also be 100% consistent no matter where the command is given.

3. Crowds--Prey drive is intent focus on one object. When there is only one object, it's easy for them to be driven. When there are many objects moving in various directions I feel the dog finds the stimulus to be too radical to focus on and chooses to ignore them. Think of yourself picking a fight with one individual, or a crowd of people. Which would you be more inclined to do? (just an example, not that you would actually go around picking fights <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

4. Ducking away--If a stranger is raising their hand over a dog's head, it's natural for the dog to duck or back away. This is a very dominant signal and also intimidating to a dog. I try to have people pet my dog under the chin or on the back, but not on the head. Kids especially like to pat, pat, pat on the head and none of my dogs, although patiently accept it, do not like it.

Hope this helps <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

as far as recall when you don't have treats, try having 'cookie jars' of treats around the house. if she comes, go the the closest jar and grab a treat. Once she's got that down you can start only rewarding an immediate response. this will teach her that even if you don't have the treat in your hand, she'll get rewarded after she comes.

Beth and Adam, thank you for your response. If anyone has some more input on my 4 questions, I would appreciate hearing from you.On the maturity question. When does the dog reach its athletic maturity (ie. jumping running)?

I'm assuming that you're asking when is it safe to do agility type jumping, and perhaps long distance running? If this is the case, I would caution not to start too strong before the dog reaches skeletal maturity, i.e. bones stop growing. Since you mentioned your dog has reached the 1 yr. mark, it's probably ok to do these activities. Large boned dogs will of course take longer, as my large male was still getting pano at 16 months, but just start out slowly and don't force him to do too much too early.

Adam:

I see you've been reading Purely Positive.

Milt:

Let me get this straight. Your dog obeys when he is running around with other dogs but when you are alone in your house he ignores you?

Vince its not that she totaly ignores me in the house.She is very obedient.If the doorbell rings and I give the sit stay command she will listen. Its more of a recall problem in the house.For example, She is laying in her bed nice and cozy and I'm in a different room and we both have I contact. I will give the come command and she just looks me.Which is uncharacteristic of her obedieance.As I stated before she can be a 150 yards away running with dogs and I give the come command, she comes running.I know what to do to correct her. Its always positve training. What I am wondering is what is going on in her mind. As a novice trainer if I give her that inch of not listening will she eventually take a foot.BTW disregard everything I said when I'm in the kitchen. She has tremendous food drive.
Milt

My Lab does the exact same thing. When he's nice and comfy, he just does not want to be bothered with getting up to come to me. When he's already up and active, coming to me is not a problem. I'd say that what's going on in my dog's mind is something like "What...you want me to get up? But I'm nice and comfortable...maybe if I just lie here and look at you, you'll get the message.". Or something to that effect. Probably a similar thing with your dog.

I know what to do to correct her. Its always positve training. What I am wondering is what is going on in her mind. As a novice trainer if I give her that inch of not listening will she eventually take a foot

I don't understand the first part of that statement. I quoted it because I think it is key to your post. As for the second part. A big yes. Consistentcy is the golden rule of dog training.