7 months is a puppy
I train Belgian ring and i only start serious work at 8 or 9 months You'll see that a pup of that age "changes" he becomes more trainable. No e-collar nor presion until later, much later.

Greetings

Johan

I think I was totally misunderstood. My dog was indeed professionally and thoroughly trained. (I am from the Jackson, MS area and I think Ed would vouch for my trainer, Randy Hare, as being one of the best.) I'll be the first to admit that I need more help, but trust me the dog is trained.
I maybe made a mtn out of a molehill on the biting issue as well. My grandson and the dog play together all the time. You can easily see that they love each other. Wolf does not snap or bite, but holds with his mouth much the same way he would if playing with another pup, but I would like to correct him on this point.
I am certainly not trying to defend myself or the dog, just trying to clarify hopefully better, my orogonal post

Guy, if the dog isn't doing what it should, then there are still holes in the training.
The best bet is to return to the fundamentals.
How much distraction training does the pup have?

The basic training formula is this:

1- The dog learns the command.
2- The dog learns that if he fails to perform a command he KNOWS, he will be corrected.
3- The dog learns that he has to perform the command under ALL circumstances, or he will be corrected.

It sounds like the dog hasn't gotten to step 3; ie, he hasn't learned that he must perform the learned command under ALL circumstances, or he'll be corrected.

I agree with the posters that have suggested a long line at all times.

Your puppy may have been thoroughly trained, but:

1. He's a puppy (aka a BABY) - he's basically operating at a first grade child's level. Your expectations here may be too much for your puppy.

2. As Ed has stated - when you have your dog sent away to be trained, what the dog learns is to mind the trainer. The puppy has NOT learned that he needs to mind YOU.

So put the puppy on a leash or a line. Have your grandson give the puppy a toy when he wants to bite, or walk away and end the game. The pup needs to learn that biting is not fun.

He also doesn't need to be loose around moving vehicles. (yikes) Use a long line and don't allow him near cars. Teach him that he should sit near you when a car/visitor approaches.

Remember, he may be big physically now but he's still only a baby mentally. Do not overcorrect your puppy as this may cause trust issues. Corrections at this age should be as Alyssa stated during obedience training. Not for regular puppy behaviour!

I want to add that the question about your own training of the dog remains valid and important.


Training isn't something that someone does with the dog and: "Now that's done!"

So my question was more along the lines of your own pack structure and obedience work with the dog.

I'm still with everyone about the leash. This dog is not ready to be off-leash.

 Quote: Guy Ballard

I maybe made a mtn out of a molehill on the biting issue as well. My grandson and the dog play together all the time. You can easily see that they love each other. Wolf does not snap or bite, but holds with his mouth much the same way he would if playing with another pup

No, no mountain. You were right: It's not OK that he does this.

You are absolutely right about fixing the things you mentioned. They are fixed by you, as opposed to by past outside training. You might like some referrals to LB podcasts, videos, and/or articles, especially about pack structure groundwork.

http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/308.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingebooks.htm
(Scroll down to number 4, a free eBook.)

Guy,
I'm still a little vague on your maintenance training with the dog. However I've got to weigh in along with most here on the e-collar question, the pup is still a bit young yet. Unless you become captivated by Roni and attend one of her seminars for positive reenforcememnt with the e-collar techniques, I'd stay away from them for the time being.
What I wanted to address is your grandson. At seven years old he is at the age you can start him on the path on how to relate to dogs. Show him how to read the dog, show him what the dog is trying to say. Mouthy behavor from a seven month old pup is very normal, but I think to help show the way for the dog (besides the tether) is to start with your grandson. They can still play and have fun together, just under different terms.........No wrestling for a seven year old and a seven month pup!


If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Let me start by saying I am in this business for just a year. With that out of the way, puppies are not the predominant dogs which I deal in. But beyond the age of the dog being an issue, I have to say that E-collars have been a great tool for not only myself but for my clients and their families. I find that its much easier to teach people the process of corrections with the E-collar. Especially when teaching a child, women, the elderly and anyone without good reflexes or coordination. The correction is always consistent, easier to administer and allows the handler to get right back into action rather than to worry about posture, reflexes, the level of correction your giving or anything else for that matter. In dogs where aggression toward the handler is a risk, your more safe as well. I also like that the dog gets the message that I don't need to be tethered to him by a string to make him obey me. I believe it gets me to the place where the dog obeys my voice command faster than conventional methods.

If I get corrected here, do listen to those with FAR more experience than I, but for me? It works the best.

Expecting a 7 month old puppy to be off leash trained is expecting waaaaay to much out of a pup. Go to the articles section and read for awhile, it'll help you out some. He sounds like he's acting like a normal puppy to me. It's easy to screw up a good pup by expecting them to act like adults, hopefully you'll stay away from corrections till you do some reading and maybe find a good working dog trainer to help you and your pup out. As far as playing with the grandkids, every dog is different, some are good and some are not so good, it's up to you to know your dog,
AL

I have a dogtra collar for my 2-1/2 yr old German Shepherd, Shambo, and its on him every day most of the day. I rarely (once every 2 or 3 weeks) have to nick him with stimulation -- he totally responds to the vibration stimulation. "Shambo, come" and he'e sniffing around, I vibrate him and its like, Oh, yeah, I'm being called! and he comes. The e collars are great. Gradually he learns to listen to commands without even the page (vibration).